The late Blue Angel pilot who passed away last week when his jet fighter crashed while training for an upcoming airshow, Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, was a hero.

A real hero.

According to those close to the story, including the Associated Press, the proud military aviator purposely did not eject from his ailing F/A-18 Hornet despite the fact that he knew its crashing was imminent, because he knew doing so would guarantee it would crash into a Smyrna, Tennessee apartment building.

So, he went down with his doomed aircraft, and sacrificed his own life to ensure that no one else would be endangered.

May he rest in peace.

This from American Military News:

Smyrna residents held a candlelight vigil to honor husband and father of two, Capt. Jeff Kuss on Thursday.

Dick Walstad, the organizer of the “AirSho” in Fargo, ND who has had the Blue Angels perform at his event also said that Captain Kuss is probably was a hero in his death.

“… populated area, a bunch of kids,” says Walstad, about why he didn’t eject. To prevent further casualties. He was a hero, a hero,” said Walstad.

Kuss was married with two children.

If you’d like to contribute to a fund that’ll go to help his family in their time of need, click here.