MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- A memorial service was held Monday for the four Marines of Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area who died in a mishap when their UC-35D crashed March 10.

Fellow Marines, friends and family members gathered at Miramar's Airmen Memorial Chapel Monday afternoon to mourn the loss of the Marines and pay tribute to their years of service.

Individual eulogies for Lt. Col. Robert M. Zeisler, Gunnery Sgt. Francisco I. Cortes, Lance Cpl. Jeremy M. Lindroth and Lt. Col. Peter T. Nicholson were read by fellow Marines to everyone in the crowded chapel and surrounding grounds.

"Where do we find such men?" said Col. Joe D. Dowdy, who recently served as G-1 assistant chief of staff, MCABWA. Dowdy read the eulogy written by Col. Guy Close. "There is so much to say about (Zeisler), but foremost he was a leader willing to give of himself. He never shied away from the tough things, and he never hesitated to give."

Marines like Cpl. Peter Hill, who deployed last year under Zeisler when he was commanding officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165, were shocked when they learned that Zeisler was involved in the fatal crash and remembered him as being "a great 'CO.'"

Master Sgt. Ann S. Brown, assistant transient chief, H&HS, read the eulogy for Cortes, who recently became a U.S. citizen.

"He had a way of charming us all," said Brown. "He took pride in helping out his junior Marines and loved to give them pointers, especially about marksmanship. He was a teacher and a mentor to Marines who flew high on life."

Brown noted how eager he was to lend a hand and tried to describe the shock of his passing as she closed her remarks.

"We expect casualties of war, not casualties of training missions," said Brown.

Lance Cpl. Brooks A. McAllister, airfreight clerk, H&HS, described his friendship with Lindroth and the proud, passionate Marine that he was.

"He always motivated his friends to do more, and he did more himself by working two part-time jobs in addition to being a Marine," said McAllister. "We joked about him being a California cowboy, but he drove a Toyota with a surfboard. He had no enemies and always made you laugh. He was the type of Marine you always want to have by your side."

Nicholson, a "no-nonsense, hard-charging" Marine who garnered loyalty and loved the outdoors, was eulogized by Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon III, commanding general, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

"Pete was good at all he did and was an example for all to follow," said Bowdon. "He made people want to be around him because they trusted him to do the job right, and he made hard things look easy.

"When anyone mentioned his name, people smiled. He was all about enthusiasm and his family."

During the memorial, Col. Paul C. Christian, chief of staff, MCABWA, remembered the superior leadership qualities in the Marines and conveyed his sincerest condolences and sympathies on behalf of Commander MCABWA Maj. Gen. Jon A. Gallinetti.

"Country, Corps and Marine Corps aviation, combined with family and faith, completed the matrix of their lives," said Christian. "The military life is a calling where sometimes you have to lay down your life for a fellow comrade. They accepted this calling willingly and selflessly, giving their entire being."

Posthumous Meritorious Service Medals were awarded to Nicholson and Zeisler. In addition, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal was awarded to Cortes and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal to Lindroth.

Following a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps" that echoed around the chapel grounds, the Marines received final honor as those in attendance gathered outside the chapel to witness a UC-12, CH-46s and CH-53s flying a "missing-man" formation before departing in solemn silence.