Abby Boretto Designated an Honorary Memeber of the Class of 1970
Abby is the daughter of our deceased classmate, Henry N. “Rick” Pilger, 12th Company. Abby was an infant when her father, 1stLt Rick Pilger, USMC, was lost in the crash of a Marine Corps helicopter in 1972, along with the other pilot, one crewmember and two Marine passengers. His unit was conducting joint NATO operations in Norway with the Norwegian Armed Forces. The accident occurred on a mountain on a remote Norwegian Island. Twenty-one years later, a Norwegian civilian found Rick’s class ring at the crash site. He submitted the ring to the U.S. Embassy in hopes that it could be returned to the family, which it eventually was. Rick’s widow placed the ring in a keepsake box for Abby. Many years later, Abby rediscovered he ring. Realizing that there had not been a thank you note sent to the gentleman who found the ring, she set out to contact him and to thank him. This was just the beginning of a heroic effort to properly preserve the memory of her father and the other Marines who were killed in the crash. The ring became the catalyst to learn about her dad and his life and service, and for the family members of the others to do the same.
Abby knew that this was an amazing story. She traveled to Norway to meet the gentleman who found the ring. While there she determined that there should be a permanent memorial placed at the crash site, and that the whole amazing story of how the ring was found and how it reconnected her, and indeed the families of the other crewmembers, should be documented in a motion picture, entitled “The Ring and the Mountain”. Further, she wanted these Marines, who died while serving their country, never to be forgotten.
She took it upon herself to have the memorial made and produced the documentary. She connected with the Norwegian Armed Forces and the families of the other deceased crewmembers to have the memorial dedicated with members of the U.S. Marine Corps, Norwegian Armed Forces and families in attendance to render honors at its dedication. This was documented by the production film crew. For a fact, a firm bond of friendship was established between Abby and the Norwegian gentleman, as well as between the current-day members of the Marine Corps and the Norwegians. The movie captures the drama and joy associated with this reconnection at a professional and personal level, and highlights that “we leave no man behind.”
Following completion of the movie, a red-carpet opening night was held onboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. The event was well covered by local TV media and newspapers and was well attended by members of the Class of 1970. Following the red carpet opening event, Abby provided showings to several other audiences, including the Marine Corps Helicopter unit, HML-167, to which her father was assigned, and to NATO Command. It was very well received. In addition, the memorial and the trails leading to it have been established as part of the Norwegian national trail system.
Throughout the movie, there are multiple references to the Naval Academy, and of course, to her dad’s Class of 1970 ring, pictures of which, including our class crest, are shown throughout the film.
This was a five year endeavor, requiring extensive coordination between the various countries and armed forces, getting a film crew together and all that it entails with writers, camera operators, sound personnel, editors and especially raising money for the memorial and production of the movie. And finally, traveling the country promoting the movie and sharing the story, contributing significantly to the U. S. Naval Academy, the Marine Corps and both directly and indirectly to the Class of 1970. The film was well received by the members of the Class of 1970 at our 55th Reunion at the Navy – Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis in April 2025.
Nominator Name: Robert A. Meyer '70
Updated: June 17, 2025
Curator: Ed Moore