Current:Home > reviewsNavy identifies Florida sailor who died while deployed in Red Sea: He embodied 'selfless character' -ValueMetric
Navy identifies Florida sailor who died while deployed in Red Sea: He embodied 'selfless character'
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:21:12
The U.S. Navy has identified a Florida sailor who went missing last week and died while deployed in the Red Sea.
The sailor was identified as Oriola Michael Aregbesola, 34, military officials said Saturday. Aregbesola was an aviation machinist's mate 2nd class and was stationed on the USS Mason in the Red Sea.
"Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodied the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor," Cmdr. Eric Kohut, HSM-74 commanding officer, said in a statement. "His outstanding performance prior to and during deployment went well beyond aircraft maintenance; he truly saw and valued every member of the ship/air team."
Aregbesola was supporting operations in the Red Sea when he went overboard on March 20, according to the U.S. Central Command. Further details about the incident were not immediately provided but officials said search and recovery operations were conducted.
Aregbesola died as a result of a non-combat-related incident, the Department of Defense said in a statement. The incident is under investigation.
The death of Aregbesola is the latest involving U.S. service members deployed in areas in or near the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas war. In January, two Navy SEALs had gone missing in the Arabian Sea during a nighttime boarding mission to seize an unflagged boat carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen.
Who was Oriola Michael Aregbesola?
Aregbesola was from Miramar, Florida, and was stationed on the USS Mason deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, according to the Department of Defense.
He was assigned to the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, the Navy said in a statement. The USS Mason had been operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area since November.
Aregbesola joined the Navy in July 2020 and reported to HSM-74 in December 2020, according to the Navy.
“He will continue on in the heart of every Swamp Fox and our brothers and sisters in the IKE Carrier Strike Group," Kohut said. "Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
'Exceptional warriors':Navy identifies SEALs declared dead after mission to confiscate Iranian-made weapons
Navy previously identified SEALs declared dead in Red Sea
The two Navy SEALs were declared dead about a week after military officials said they went overboard off the coast of Somalia. They were identified as Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers, 37, and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27.
Chambers and Ingram both served with a U.S. West Coast-based SEAL team. The two SEALs were on an interdiction mission on Jan. 11 when one of them fell off a ship after high waves hit the vessel, prompting the other SEAL to go after him to attempt a rescue, according to officials.
Search and rescue operations involving ships and aircraft from the United States, Japan, and Spain lasted for 10 days before the Central Command changed it to a recovery operation.
Contributing: Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY
veryGood! (31364)
Related
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- A Russian missile attack in eastern Ukraine kills a 10-year-old boy, a day after a rocket killed 51
- Fire in Lebanese prison leaves 3 dead and 16 injured
- Will Mauricio Umansky Watch Kyle Richards Marriage Troubles Play Out on RHOBH? He Says...
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- An Airbnb renter allegedly overstayed more than 520 days without paying – but says the homeowner owes her money
- Winners and losers of 'Thursday Night Football': Bears snap 14-game losing streak
- What is Indigenous Peoples Day? A day of celebration, protest and reclaiming history
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- An Airbnb renter allegedly overstayed more than 520 days without paying – but says the homeowner owes her money
Ranking
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Jason Derulo Deeply Offended by Defamatory Claims in Emaza Gibson's Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
- Mortgage rates haven't been this high since 2000
- Rumer Willis Has a Message for Nasty Trolls Sending Her Hateful Comment
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa | Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2023
- Ukraine says more than 50 people killed as Russia bombs a grocery store and café
- Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears legend and iconic NFL linebacker, dies at 80
Recommendation
Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
New Mexico AG charges police officer in fatal shooting of Black man at gas station
Ancient gold treasures depicting Norse gods unearthed in Norway: A very special find
The Philippines' capital is running out of water. Is building a dam the solution?
Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
A Florida man who shot down a law enforcement drone faces 10 years in prison
Man encouraged by a chatbot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II sentenced to 9 years in prison
Tom Brady Says He Has “a Lot of Drama” in His Life During Conversation on Self-Awareness