Parents blame Marine Corps for son's helo crash death

HONOLULU — The parents of one of 12 Marines killed after two helicopters crashed during training exercises in Hawaii are blaming the Marine Corps for their son's death.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that Mike and Lisa De La Cruz are the parents of 24-year-old Sgt. Dillon Semolina, who was the helicopter crew chief. His remains have not yet been found following the Jan. 14 crash off Oahu's north shore.

The De La Cruzes say the CH-53E Super Stallions shouldn't have been flying because of safety concerns over ongoing maintenance problems. They also say the Marine Corps' search efforts for the 12 Marines who had been aboard the helicopters were "an embarrassment."

Capt. Cassandra Gesecki, III Marine Expeditionary Force's spokeswoman, said "no time was wasted" during the search.

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