Local Marine killed in helicopter crash remembered

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. (WTXF) - Captain Sam Schultz grew up in Huntingdon Valley. He joined the Marine Corps six years ago and was living his dream.

Captain Schultz came from a family of pilots as his father is a pilot and his grandfather was as well.

"He was duty bound. He felt very strong about serving, no matter what the risk," his dad, Mitchell Schultz, said.

Marine Captain Sam Schultz, 28-years-old, was one of four pilots killed in a military chopper accident last week, April 3, in southern California. His parents got word of the tragedy late Tuesday night.

"As soon as I saw them standing out there, my heart just started beating a thousand times a minute. And, I didn't want to hear what they had to say," Sam's mother, Julie Schultz, said.

"Besides being frightened by it, we are extremely proud. It takes a special person to take that path and do that," said Mitchell Schultz.

The Schultz's said they don't know what happened during the training exercise that killed all four members on board. Captain Schultz's father said he needs to know but not the mother of the active, daring, fun-loving Penn State graduate who was also a Mummer.

"It's okay if Mitchell knows, but I don't think I need to know. It's not important now," mom Julie explained.

Services for Captain Schultz will be held Sunday, April 15 at Levine Funeral Home, in Trevose. The family will receive guests at 10 am, with the funeral to follow at 11 am.