Governor orders flags to half-staff to honor fallen Marine

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Monday ordered all flags at public institutions to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, the day of the memorial service for Lance Corporal Ty L. Hart.

“Lance Corporal Ty Hart represents the best of Oregon,” Brown said. “I ask all Oregonians to keep Ty’s family and friends in their thoughts. His legacy of service and sacrifice is a reminder of the risks our military members take daily to preserve all that we hold dear.”

LCpl Hart, 21, of Stayton, Oregon, was one of 12 Marines who died Jan. 14 while conducting a training exercise off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.

LCpl Hart enlisted in 2013 and was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Air Wing in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Hart was one of 12 U.S. Marines who died when two helicopters crashed during training exercises in Hawaii on Jan. 14.

His family announced Monday that they will hold a memorial service for Hart on Saturday at Stayton High School. Hart was a Stayton graduate and a former student-athlete. The public is invited to attend the service.