AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today directed all United States and State of Maine flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, September 16 in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Benjamin R. Cross.

Capt. Cross died August 5, 2017 in the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia while participating in military training exercises. He will be buried with full military honors on Saturday in Bethel.

"Captain Cross served his nation with honor," stated Governor LePage. "Ann and I are so sorry for the tragic loss of this promising young leader. We extend our sincerest condolences to his parents and family."

Born in Waterville on January 23, 1991, Capt. Cross graduated from Telstar Regional High School in 2009, receiving a full Naval ROTC Marine-option scholarship. He attended Virginia Military Institute, and upon his graduation in 2013, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

He was a Marine Aviator, having earned his "Wings of Gold," piloting a number of aircraft, including the TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter and the MV-22 Osprey.

Capt. Cross was most recently stationed in Okinawa, Japan, prior to leaving for bilateral training exercises in Australia in May.