Heroic Leadership After Osprey Crash Earns Marine Officer Recognition

On August 23, 2023, Capt. Joshua C. Watson and his team of Marines found themselves in the midst of a catastrophic Osprey crash in Australia.

As flames engulfed the wreckage, Watson displayed extraordinary courage, rallying his team and ensuring accountability amidst the chaos.

His actions during this tragic incident earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Department of the Navy’s highest non-combat award for heroism.

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Watson’s unit, Lima Company, was engaged in an exercise to seize two airfields simultaneously near Darwin, Australia. As part of this operation, 38 of his Marines were split between two MV-22 Osprey aircraft. However, the exercise took a tragic turn when the lead Osprey unexpectedly slowed down mid-air, nearly causing a collision.

In a desperate maneuver to avoid disaster, Watson’s Osprey veered sharply, but the combination of a strong tailwind and the aircraft’s heavy load made it uncontrollable. The aircraft plummeted from the sky, crashing violently near Pickertaramoor Airfield on Melville Island.

The impact was devastating. Watson, along with 19 Marines and a Navy sailor, was crammed into the rear of the aircraft when it hit the ground. “Anything that was not strapped down became a projectile flying from the rear to the front of the aircraft,” Watson recalled.

Visibility was near zero due to thick smoke, spreading fuel, and flames that quickly turned the wreckage into an inferno. As Watson struggled to process the chaos around him, he realized his ankle was broken, but there was no time to dwell on the pain.

Marine Corps Capt. Joshua C. Watson is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida on Feb. 28, 2025.

In the moments after the crash, Watson’s instinct to lead took over. Despite the overwhelming heat and confusion, he called out to his Marines, ordering them to leave everything behind and escape the burning aircraft. However, not everyone was responsive. Watson noticed that his radio operator remained unconscious. Acting swiftly, he shook the Marine awake and shoved him toward the exit.

Once free from the wreckage, Watson refused to abandon his duty. He reentered the burning aircraft to search for any Marines who might have been incapacitated.

“I went to ensure no one remained trapped,” he later recounted. His bravery was not an isolated act; outside the aircraft, he witnessed his Marines risking their own lives to rescue an aircrew member pinned under the fuselage. Their efforts successfully freed the severely injured crew chief, demonstrating the resilience and heroism embedded within Lima Company.

After escaping the wreckage, Watson gathered his Marines and took accountability. The grim reality set in: three Marines were missing, and others were in critical condition. Watson immediately dispatched Marines to search the area while medics tended to the injured.

Unknown to Watson at the time, all three missing aircrew members—Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, and Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau—had died almost immediately upon impact. Collart, however, had survived the initial crash and displayed extraordinary bravery by re-entering the burning cockpit in an attempt to rescue the trapped pilots.

Tragically, he succumbed to smoke inhalation in his valiant effort. His heroism did not go unnoticed, and he was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

Watson soon realized the team was effectively stranded. The thick forest and burning wreckage made it impossible for the Marine aircraft overhead—including AH-1Z Viper gunships, UH-1 Venoms, and the second Osprey—to land or provide immediate assistance. The nearest landing zone was the airfield two kilometers away.

With little choice, Watson ordered his Marines to pull back 100 meters from the crash site for safety. Using his radio, he established contact with the overhead helicopters and provided a situation report, confirming the unit’s accountability and injuries. He resolved to hold the Marines in place, stabilize the casualties, and continue searching for any remaining survivors.

Meanwhile, the other half of Lima Company, who had landed at the airfield, remained onboard their aircraft, unable to deploy and assist due to operational restrictions. Watson later reflected on their frustration but acknowledged that keeping them onboard had been the right decision.

Approximately 45 minutes after the crash, Australian soldiers arrived at the scene, providing much-needed assistance. Civilian medical helicopters soon followed, lowering rescuers to evacuate the critically injured.

Hours later, Australian army ground vehicles reached the site, transporting the remaining Marines to safety. Watson and two other leaders were the last to leave, ensuring that every Marine was accounted for before departing.

Reflecting on the incident, Watson emphasized the importance of training and resilience. “Almost everyone was injured in the crash, but we didn’t realize the severity due to the shock. We kept checking on each other because we didn’t know the true conditions of everyone,” he said. Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) proved to be a lifesaver, as Marines applied self-aid and provided crucial support to their injured comrades.

Despite his injuries, Watson has continued his service in the Marine Corps, transitioning from an infantry officer to training as a Marine Corps aviator at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

His experience stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication, leadership, and heroism that define the United States Marine Corps.

Capt. Joshua C. Watson’s actions during the Osprey crash in Australia embody the highest traditions of military service. His decisive leadership, selfless bravery, and commitment to his Marines in the face of overwhelming adversity are a reminder of the sacrifices made by service members every day.

His story, and the heroism displayed by Marines like Cpl. Collart, serve as a lasting tribute to those who risk everything in the line of duty.

Watson’s courage under fire not only saved lives but also reinforced the Marine ethos: never leave a comrade behind. For his actions, he is rightly honored, but his greatest reward remains the survival of his Marines and the enduring brotherhood that defines the Corps.

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