MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A former comrade of four aviators who gave their lives last week serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom speculated during their memorial service Thursday that their approach to the gates of heaven was "audacious."

He cited the brashness of one of them as he described his vision to about 300 family members, friends and fellow service members who turned out at the Marine Memorial Chapel.

"He would have formed up the Marines outside and marched them right up to the gates," Master Gunnery Sgt. James A. Bixler said, referring to Staff Sgt. Aaron D. White, who died along with Capt. Andrew D. Lamont, 1st Lt. Timothy L. Ryan and Lance Cpl. Jason W. Moore May 19 when their CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter crashed in Iraq. The four were all members of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, known as the "Purple Foxes" -- and were the first Marines from the squadron killed in action since the Vietnam War.

Bixler, the maintenance chief for HMM-364, said the other 62 Purple Foxes who died in combat must have greeted the newcomers with a brand-new "phrog" (a common nickname for the CH-46) for them to fly as "much as you want, because it's forever young, just as you are."

Alluding to a verse in the Marine's Hymn, Bixler envisioned dialogue between White and the gatekeeper.

"St. Peter would have told (White) to march them on toward the guard shack and report to St. Michael."

White's response:

"St. Peter, we don't guard streets, we fly phrogs."

"That's the way he was," Bixler said. "He was full of audacity and perseverance."

Ryan also was described as having a firm will.

First Lt. Ben M. Davenport said Ryan was stoic and always saying "suck it up, let's go" to spur on his Marines.

"When we first showed up in Kuwait, everyone wanted to ride the bus, but (Ryan) wanted to walk. So I let him walk, a lot of the times by himself," Davenport said.
"(Ryan) possessed a courage that belonged solely to him," he added.

Some speakers paused to gather themselves. Their sobs echoed softly throughout the chapel.

Sgt. Travis D. Pfister, a maintenance controller with HMM-364, said it was "hard to keep a straight face around (Moore)."

"He always had a smile on his face that made you wonder what he was up to, then you didn't want to know," Pfister said.

Lamont also was described as a man who loved to smile. Capt. Glenn H. Van Airsdale, a pilot with HMM-364, said Lamont was always "the first to lead the way in a practical joke."

On one occasion in Iraq, they were picking up a wounded Marine. Lamont gave the Marine a Purple Foxes signature card that said, "at least you ain't walking."