For the Families, It Became Real With Knock at the Door

It is every parent’s worst fear. The unexpected rap on the door from two men in uniform.

On Friday morning, in at least five small American cities, the same eerie scene repeated itself, as pairs of Marine Corps officers brought news of death to the families of five crewmen who died in a fiery helicopter crash while performing routine maneuvers near the Salton Sea.

“When I opened the door yesterday morning and saw those two Marines there dressed in blue, I knew from my own experience in the military there was something wrong. I knew he had been killed or something,” said Glen Burris, whose 21-year-old son, Mark, was the crew chief aboard the Tustin-based Super Stallion chopper which slammed to the desert ground Thursday night.

‘It Was Reality’

“We’re just now realizing what has happened,” the subdued father said Saturday from Toronto, Ohio. “Yesterday was just numb. Today we found it was reality.”

Burris described his son as “gutsy,” a happy-go-lucky kid who would “run in the door, pick you up, spin ya ‘round, give you a big kiss, put ya down and keep on going. His mother just loved it. Those two were real good buddies.” The younger Burris had spent four years in the Marines.

His close friend, 19-year-old Gregory L. Michaels, was also on board the doomed aircraft. His parents first heard about the crash on the radio in their rural hometown of Frenchville, Pa. But the young Marine’s mother, Margaret Michaels, said it wasn’t until 10:30 a.m. when two Marines appeared on her doorstep that she realized something was amiss.

“When we seen them at the door, we knew.”

Michaels’ father, Ronald, added, “You get through one day and then you have another. One day is just as bad as the next.”

The elder Michaels said he was familiar with the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, as his son had expressed concern about cracks in the chopper’s rotors during his 1 1/2-year stint as a mechanic with the Marines. Moreover, he added, “our boy had to go and help clean up that mess in Twentynine Palms and he didn’t like that much.”

The Twentynine Palms “mess” occurred May 9 when one of the massive, three-engine helicopters, which have been the subject of a congressional investigation, crashed in the California city, killing four and injuring one. Thursday night’s crash marked the sixth fatal accident involving the Super Stallion since 1984.

“I knew the danger he was in flying in general,” said Margaret Michaels, adding that her son was a “faithful, devoted Marine” who loved what he was doing. “We feel that if our boys give their lives for our country, the government should supply them with good equipment.”

A memorial service for the five crewmen will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, a Marine Corps official said.

Harbor No Ager

Most of the families, including the Michaels, said they harbored no anger toward the Marine Corps. They said their sons all were hooked on the military and flying, despite some parents’ urging that they not enlist.

Thomas Baddeley Jr., of Yardley, Pa, said his son joined the Marines two years ago, just as he was ready to enter an aeronautics college in New Hampshire.

“We had him all set to go to college,” Baddeley said. “The papers were laid out on the dining room table and he came home and said to us, ‘I don’t know whether you will like this or not, but I’ve decided to join the Marines.’ ”

Baddeley described his 21-year-old son as a “flying nut” who took his first flight at 2 and who used to wash airplanes to get free rides.

“He was proud to serve his country, proud to be able to fly for them,” he added.

Lance Cpl. Thomas H. Baddeley III lived in Tustin with his wife, Jeanette, and their two sons, Thomas Baddeley IV, 18 months, and Kyle, six weeks.

Son Loved Flying

Miriam Reilly of Taunton, Mass., said her 29-year-old son, Michael, joined the Marines right after college, where he excelled in academics and athletics.

“He loved the Marines and flying was his dream,” said the tearful mother, adding that she last saw her son and daughter-in-law over the Christmas holidays. “When I saw the two Marines at my door at 8 o’clock in the morning, it was a shock.”

It was Reilly who co-piloted the helicopter Thursday night. The family of pilot Maj. David J. Brandenburg, 34, declined interview requests.

Miriam Reilly said she has talked to her son Wednesday, who told her “he was thrilled he didn’t have to go to sea this week. He should have gone evidently . . . I worried about him flying, that’s why I never talked to him about it too much. He was a very special person--very spiritual, conscientious . . . just a person everybody loved.”

Reilly lived with his wife, Ann, in Laguna Hills. The couple was married in March, 1985, and had no children.

Asked whether they will question the military further as to what caused Thursday’s fatal crash, Glen Burris said he has requested a copy of the investigative report but will reserve judgment.

“I’m not going to put the blame on anyone until I see the report,” he said. But, he added, “no matter how much you do, it’s not going to bring him back.”

Added Baddeley: “At this stage of the game, I plan to do nothing. I have a son to bury.”