Local Marine Who Lost Her Life Enters Hall of Heroes

The local Marine killed in a helicopter crash while serving in support of relief efforts in Nepal following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake was inducted this week into the Hall of Heroes at Fort Meade in Maryland.

The Hall of Heroes honors those men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty while serving in a public affairs or visual information job specialty. One hundred eight plaques presently hang in the hall. Each plaque has a service member’s name, rank, service, date of death and the name of the conflict or operations in which they gave their life.

Cpl. Sara A. Medina, of Aurora, and her comrade, Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, of Arizona, were inducted on Monday into the hall. Medina was a combat photographer and Hug was a combat videographer. They perished on May 12 aboard a UH-1 Huey, with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469.

The helicopter crashed eight miles north of Charikot, Nepal. Two Nepalese soldiers and six U.S. Marines were on board the helicopter.

• Plainfield Shows Support for Fallen Marine

Medina was engaged to be married in August and the mission to Nepal was expected to be her final assignment. Medina graduated from West Aurora High School in 2010. She was born in Durango, Mexico, but moved to Aurora as a child. She was buried in Mexico.

A prayer service, parade and flag line for Medina took place in June in Plainfield at St. Mary Immaculate Parish.