A Season of Gratitude: Captain John Sax’s Marine Corps Aviation Journey
In this season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to reflect on John’s journey as a Marine Corps pilot and the squadrons he was so profoundly grateful to be a part of. We hope his story serves as a reminder to cherish every milestone in your own journey and to begin the new year with renewed passion for pursuing your goals and dreams.
John’s military flight training began in Pensacola, Florida, with VT-6 “Shooters,” flying the T-6B Texan II. Being his first squadron, the Shooters always held a special place in his heart and for our family. Of all the aircraft he flew, the T-6 remained a favorite simply because it was so much “fun to fly.”
From there, he traveled to Kingsville, Texas, where he flew the T-45C Goshawk with VT-21 “Redhawks,” achieving his lifelong dream of flying a military jet. Later, after deciding to transition into the V-22 Osprey pipeline, John returned to Whiting Field in Florida for intermediate helicopter training with HT-8 “Eightballers,” flying the TH-57 B/C. It was during this time at Whiting Field that John learned he would become a girl dad—another new challenge he couldn’t wait to take on.
After completing helicopter training, John reported to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he trained on the T-44C Pegasus, a multi-engine trainer that prepared him for the dual-engine characteristics of the MV-22B. Then, in October 2020, John achieved a lifelong dream, earning his Wings of Gold and the title of Marine Corps Aviator. His first daughter was in attendance at just six days old as her mother pinned on her father’s gold wings for the very first time.
John first flew the MV-22B Osprey with VMMT-204, the “Raptors,” at New River in North Carolina, a platform he often described as “the future of aviation.” From there, John reported to Camp Pendleton, where he was assigned to VMM-764, the “Moonlighters,” and later to VMM-364, the “World Famous Purple Foxes.” The Purple Foxes were John’s dream squadron, with their motto, “Give A Shit,” reflecting his spirit and how he approached every aspect of his life. John learned he had another daughter on the way just before joining the Foxes, proudly wearing his 364 patches for the first time as he gave his wife and daughter a tour of his new squadron home.
John was an incredible husband, father, pilot, and Marine. He lived a life of gratitude and never took a single moment for granted. His family, passion for aviation, and call to serve were at the center of his life—a life he had always dreamed of and was so grateful to have built. These patches are more than just symbols; they represent a few of the many things John was thankful for in his lifetime and the values he embodied—courage, perseverance, and appreciation for each day he was given.
On behalf of all of us at the Capt. Sax Foundation, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘞𝘦 𝘋𝘰, 𝘞𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮”