Colts Neck Marine among 16 killed in Mississippi military plane crash

Dan Baldassare, 20, of Colts Neck was one of the 16 U.S. servicemen killed on Monday when a KC-130 refueling plane crashed in a Mississippi cornfield. 15 U.S Marines and a Navy sailor perished in the accident.

“Our Colts Neck native son, U.S. Marine Crewmaster Daniel Baldassare, 20, gave his life earlier this week in service to his country. He perished in a plane crash in Mississippi along with 15 of his fellow servicemen,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry. “As a long-time resident and former Mayor of Colts Neck, I feel this loss personally. Words cannot fully express how grateful we are for this young man’s service and how proud we Colts Neck residents are to have counted him among our best and brightest citizens. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will recognize Daniel’s service during our Freeholder Meetings tomorrow, and will always keep the Baldassare family in our thoughts and prayers.”