SPOKANE, Wash. >> The mother of a Marine killed when a military aircraft crashed in Hawaii says her son joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to “do something bigger and better.”

Michele Barron, of Spokane Valley, Washington, told The Associated Press that Joshua Barron loved to fly, loved his job and was proud of what he did. 

The Marine Corps says the 24-year-old lance corporal died of injuries sustained when a MV-22 Osprey went down Sunday at a military base outside Honolulu.

Barron’s mom called him her “superhero.” She says her family is heartbroken by his loss but that they’ve received an outpouring of love.

She says her son enjoyed spending time in the outdoors and with his family. He joined the Marines because “he just wanted to do something more with his life.”

He attended University High School in Spokane and Spokane Community College.