Lone.....don't go looking for an insult where there was none.....to the Marines that is. My barb was pointed elsewhere.
Brother Dixson has discussed the 53 crash at the factory here at pprune in the past and also other places.
I do not recall the whole of his explanation of what happened but as I recall the aircraft was in a stable hover at something like 200 feet (maybe) and for some reason rolled inverted and crashed.
If John sees this he will probably weigh in this.
As to the High School, Flight School, Grave comment.....it was very true....expecially during the Vietnam War when about 2500 Helicopter Pilots were killed.....including all services. Even if one took a detour through College for four years....way too many good Men wound up dead. I care not to insult any service about hose losses....or the ones that are happening yet today in Afghanistan.
Last time I checked we all worked for the same Uncle.