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Captain John J. Sax, son of Dodgers great Steve Sax, was one of five U.S. Marines killed when their aircraft went down during a training exercise in southern California on Wednesday.
He was 33 years old.
The cause of the accident, which occurred about 150 miles from San Diego, is still under investigation.
John, who served the corp. for over five years and was awarded The National Defense Service Medal, was identified as one of the occupants on board the aircraft at the time of the fatal crash. His father confirmed the tragic news in a statement on Saturday.
“It is with complete devastation that I announce that my precious son, Johnny was one of the five US Marines that perished on Wednesday, June 8, in the Osprey Military crash near San Diego,” Steve said to CBSLA-TV.
“For those of you that knew Johnny, you saw his huge smile, bright light, his love for his family, the Marines, the joy of flying airplanes and defending our country! He was my hero and the best man I know, there was no better person to defend our country.”
Steve, 62, won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1982 and the Silver Slugger award in 1986.
Sax, who played eight seasons with the Dodgers (he also spent time with the Yankees, White Sox and A’s), made five All Star teams. He also won two world championships with Los Angeles … in 1981 and 1988.
Sax retired in 1994.
Major League Baseball released a statement on the passing of Steve’s son … saying, “Today we remember the lives of John Sax, the son of former All-Star Steve, and four fellow Marines of the Purple Fox family who perished in a tragic aircraft accident.”
“With gratitude for their service to our country, we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends.”
R.I.P. to all the Marines.