BETHEL, Maine - A Marine aviator who died in the crash of an MV-22 Osprey off the Australian coast is remembered in Maine as someone with a strong moral compass who achieved his dream of flying.
First Lt. Ben Cross graduated from Telstar Regional High School in Bethel in 2009, and attended the Virginia Military Institute on a Navy ROTC scholarship before joining the Marines.
At Telstar, he was voted "most likely to succeed.''
Bethany O'Neil, who graduated with Cross, told the Sun Journal that he taught her that hard work and determination pay off, and that she was capable of more than she realized.
Ryan Cross described his brother to CBS as having "the highest moral character'' and being "devoted to his family and devoted to his duty in the Marine Corps.''
The wreckage was found Monday. [nid:51481]