Tears, Anger Greet News of Crew Deaths

Apartment manager Olive Compton burst into tears when she heard that Lance Cpl. Thomas H. Baddeley III was one of the Marines killed in Thursday night’s CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crash in Imperial County.

“It’s not fair,” Compton said. “He was one of the good guys. It’s just not fair.”

For Tom Bell of Santa Ana, the news of the crash brought another reaction--anger. The craft’s pilot, Maj. David J. Brandenburg, 34, of Mission Viejo, had been a friend.

“I’m really bitter at the government,” Bell said. “It’s difficult to believe it was a pilot error. He was concerned about the craft.”

Five Marines were aboard the Tustin-based helicopter that crashed near the western shore of the Salton Sea about 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The crew was practicing nighttime landings in the desert area of Imperial County, according to Marine Corps officials.

Bell, 46, said Brandenburg “was aware of the aircraft’s poor record. We had discussed it each time one of them malfunctioned or crashed.” Brandenburg had said that previous models of the CH-53E often were flown faster than was safe, Bell said.

The two men became acquainted as neighbors in Santa Ana eight years ago. Bell said Brandenburg, “a clean-cut, all-American boy,” was concerned about the slowness of his promotions and was having doubts about his career.

Then, five years ago, he was sent to Florida as a flight instructor, and he returned about 18 months ago. Two promotions quickly followed.

Bell, a salesman and former auto mechanic, said Brandenburg was eager to pilot the E model helicopter when it arrived. “He said the model was more sophisticated and easier to fly.”

But, Bell said, Brandenburg also said the E model “had more power than it could use.”

Whenever Bell heard of a helicopter crash, he said, “it was always in the back of my mind, because I knew what kind of aircraft he flies.”

Baddeley, 21, was described by neighbors and friends as a “family man” who was crazy about his two sons, Tom and Kayle, and his wife, Jeannette, 19.

“He idolized his kids, took them for walks, took them with him to get the mail,” said Compton, who manages the Alders Apartments in Tustin. “He and his wife were the most devoted couple here. You know, you don’t get attached to most tenants like this. But he was a neat kid.”

New to County

Baddeley and his family were new to Orange County. They moved here from their hometown of Yardley, Pa., a year ago, when Baddeley was transferred to the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station. They lived in a one-bedroom apartment at the complex until they moved to a two-bedroom apartment when Kayle was born a month ago, Compton said.

Linda Hartley, a neighbor, wept quietly outside her apartment, two doors away from the Baddeleys. She said when the Baddeleys first arrived in Tustin, he had to go away for a six-month tour of overseas duty.

“When Tom came back, all he wanted to do was be with his son,” Hartley said.

Baddeley felt like he missed a lot with his first son because of his overseas duty, Karyn Rawlings, a next-door neighbor, said. “He wanted to make sure he was here for his second son. He was really excited about the baby.”

Hartley said Baddeley frequently baby-sat with her two children while watching over his sons.

“He loved his family. He always took care of the boys and played with them,” said Hartley. “He even took my little boy to the base to look at the helicopters. He was a gentle friend.”

Baddeley wanted to be a helicopter crew chief and then go to college, Hartley said.

“Tom had so many expectations,” she said. “He was going to train in more classes and do this and that. This is so hard.”

Compton agreed.

“This is something you just can’t express,” she said. “It’s the heartache.”