The body of a local Marine who was killed last week in Morocco arrived in his hometown Thursday morning.
U.S. Marine Corporal Derek Kerns, 21, of Woodstown, NJ and Corporal Robby Reyes of Los Angeles died on April 11 during a training exercise. Both were MV-22 crew chiefs based at New River Air Station in North Carolina.
Kerns and Reyes were inside an MV-22 Osprey that crashed in a training area southwest of Agadir, Morocco, according to a Marine spokesman.
Kerns was escorted from the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to the H.T. Layton Funeral home in Woodstown, his hometown. The hearse bearing the soldier arrived around 11 a.m.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie issued an executive order for flags to be flown at half-staff Friday in honor of Kerns.
In the order, Christie referred to Kerns as “an honorable and courageous young man who loved his country and the military.” He also called Kerns “a dedicated Marine as well as a loving husband, father, son, and brother, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow Marines.”
Kerns entered the United States Marine Corps after graduating Woodstown High School in 2008. He served as a MV-22 Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26MV-22. He was also based at New River Air Station in North Carolina. NJ.com reports he was promoted to the rank of corporal in December 2010. They also report his awards include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and a certificate of appreciation.
Kerns’ hearse was escorted to Dover and transported across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey, according to NJ.com.
Credit: Family Photo
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NJ.com reports that Kerns’ family will receive visitors from 4 to 9 p.m. at the H.T. Layton Funeral Home. South Main Street was closed from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. during Kerns’ arrival. It will also be closed near the funeral home from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. during the viewing, according to NJ.com.
NJ.com also reports another visitation will take place on Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sharptown Church on 24 Church Street in Sharptown. A funeral service will take place at the church immediately after. Finally, military honors will take place at the Salem County Veterans Cemetery on Route 45 in Pilesgrove Township after the service.
