Fallen Montco Marine 'Represented The Best Of America'

AMBLER, PA — Tributes poured in from across the country following death of a Montgomery County Marine in a helicopter accident in Arizona last week.

Major Matthew M. Wiegand, an Ambler native who was one of two Marines killed in the training accident, was remembered as a hero

"Major Matthew M. Wiegand represented the best of America," U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D - PA 4) said in a statement. "Let us resolve to live up to the remarkable standard he set."

Wiegand, 34, attended Hatboro-Horsham High School. While there, he was a three sport athlete. He was captain of the ice hockey team, and also a member of the lacrosse and golf teams, according to the school district.

>>Montco Man, Marine Killed In Arizona Helicopter Crash

But Wiegand was more than just a dedicated and talented athlete. He remained active outside of the sporting arena, serving on Student Council and with Future Busiess Leaders of America.

He graduated from Hatboro-Horsham in 2003. In 2008, he joined the Marine Corps.

Through his 11 years in the military, Wiegand became a decorated servicemember. He was stationed around the world, from Pendleton, California and Pensacola, Florida to points abroad, like Okinawa, Japan. Marines said he participated in "numerous exercises" with American allies overseas. He ulimately earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star.

Most recently, he was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, in Arizona, where he served pilot with Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One and was based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

On the evening of March 30, Wiegand was flying as part of a Weapons and Tactics Instructor course alongside Captain Travis W. Brannon, 30, a Nashville native. The AH-IZ Viper chopper they were flying crashed in the desert. Both were killed.

"It is a somber day for the entire Marine Air Ground Task Force TrainingCommand as we mourn this tremendous loss," said Brigadier Geneneral Roger B. Turner Jr., the commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, out of Twentynine Palms, California. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and loved ones during this extremely difficult time."

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.