Jacksonville Freedom Fountain set in mourning status to remember Marines killed in Australia crash

The Freedom Fountain in Jacksonville was set in mourning status Wednesday morning and a wreath was placed to remember the three Marines who died in an Osprey crash in Australia Sunday.

"Together with the city of Jacksonville and Onslow County, we mourn the loss of these Marines and pray for their families and the Marines that were injured during the incident," said the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee in a Wednesday press release.

The Marines who died are Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, 21, an Osprey crew chief from Arlington, Virginia; Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau, 29, an Osprey pilot from Belleville, Illinois; and Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, 37, from Jefferson, Colorado, the release said, according to a news release from Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, Australia.

All three Marines had previously been stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville.

The release explained the Freedom Fountain is dedicated to all those who pass through the Jacksonville-Onslow community in service to the nation, which is why the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee recognizes those who they learn have died.

The MV-22 Osprey crashed Sunday morning in Australia during a multinational training exercise, the release said. Others on board the aircraft were injured from the crash on Melville Island, north of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

The Freedom Fountain has been placed in mourning status and will remain so for three days. The status leaves on the tallest jet operating. That jet is the Freedom Jet and is 20 feet high when weather conditions permit.