Condition of 2 Marines improving, now stable

SAN DIEGO – Military officials say two Marines rescued from the Pacific Ocean after ejecting from their crashing jet are doing better as they remain hospitalized in San Diego.

A Navy spokeswoman tells the San Diego Union-Tribune (http://bit.ly/oLGdmt) Monday that Naval Medical Center staff had reported the crew to be in "serious but stable" condition when they were admitted last week, but their condition has since improved.

Third Marine Aircraft Wing spokeswoman 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley says the men are expected to make a full recovery.

The Marines were flying an F/A-18 Hornet that went down late Wednesday 85 miles southwest of San Diego.

They spent four hours in the dark, chilly Pacific Ocean, yelling and blowing a whistle before a Coast Guard crew spotted them.

The crash is under investigation.