Julian Kevianne
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
April 14, 1986 – July 10, 2017
Age – 31
Detroit, MI
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, NY
Killed in a military plane crash in Mississippi
A Marine Corps flight engineer living with his wife in the Hudson Valley was among the 16 service members who died in a military plane crash in Mississippi. Julian Kevianne, 31, died Monday when a refueling plane carrying him and the 15 other service members spiraled into a soybean field in the Mississippi Delta, killing everyone aboard.
Officials said the aircraft that crashed was a KC-130T from the Marine Aerial Refueling and Transport Squadron (VMGR) 452 based at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh.
One Marine pal who worked with Kevianne expressed his grief on social media. “I can’t believe I’ll never see you guys again. Never crack another beer or make another stupid joke with you guys again,” Ryan Ortiz wrote in the caption of a photo showing Kevianne and another unidentified victim of the aviation tragedy.
Officials said the doomed plane took off from the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C., on its way to a Naval facility in El Centro, Calif.
Sgt. Julian M. Kevianne, 31, of New Windsor, NY, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2017, in a military plane crash in Mississippi. He was born in Detroit, MI, and is a graduate of the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts and Michigan Tech.
Julian attended Michigan Technological University on a full-ride scholarship, graduated in 2007 with a degree in Humanities, and was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Young Democrats, Social Dance Club, played Broomball for the Lemmings team, and was named Student Employee of the Year.
He helped countless students in his role as a resident assistant. Julian loved God and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Washingtonville, NY with his wife, Sherry. They volunteered regularly for the Red Cross at the United States Military Academy at West Point and together received an army volunteer’s commendation for their service.
Sgt. Kevianne was part of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 (VMGR-452, MAG 49, 4th MAW) based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps on December 1, 2009, at age 23 and most recently served as a Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Master KC-130. He was deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom 12.2 from November 2012-March 2013. Sgt. Kevianne received the following awards and decorations: Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (2); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Letter of Appreciation (6); Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award).
He was remembered as follows by a fellow Marine.
Patrick K. Berg
July 23, 2017
Julian was a great man and an outstanding Marine. I trained with him during his first days as marine aircrew in Little Rock AFB. At that time, he was still a “Terminal Lance”, Lance Corporal. He filled dark days with humor and also sported the aptly named “combat stach”, only fond memories of a dear friend. I’m deeply saddened by your lose and offer my deepest and most sincere condolences to his wife family and friends. I know he flies clear blue skies looking over you all.