Friends of Naval Academy alum killed in DCA plane crash remember him as ‘patriot'
ARLINGTON, Va. () — Brian Ellis, a U.S. Naval Academy alumnus and retired Marine Corps officer, was among the 67 people killed in the American Airlines and Black Hawk helicopter collision on Jan. 29.
'How great of a guy, a man, a father, a Marine and I would say you know of course a Patriot,' said Bob Kuberski.
Ellis was on American Airlines flight 5342 and was on his way back home to Charlottesville.
The Navy Football Brotherhood said it is grieving after the death of Ellis, adding that what makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is the fact that Ellis served as a helicopter pilot during his time in the Marine Corps.
'It just is extremely ironic that Brian was a very capable Marine Corps helicopter aviator and his demise, you know, being tied to an aircraft mishap with a helicopter,' said Kuberski. 'Everyone is just scratching their head and it's just the why.'
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U.S. Naval Academy alum Bob Kuberski said he remembers Ellis, who was his Navy football teammate and friend, as someone who was very level-headed.
'Brian was always that calm cool collected presence very steady but always would crack a smile,' said Kuberski.
Ellis attended the U.S. Naval Academy from 1989 to 1993. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.
'I hope that when the dust settles at the end of the day for them they can look back on their father's you know legacy,' said Kuberski.
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