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Connecticut Mourns Death Of Sailor In USS Fitzgerald Collision

A sailor from Connecticut was one of the seven killed when the USS Fitzgerald collided with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan over the weekend, the U.S. Navy announced.  

A Connecticut sailor was killed in the collision of the USS Fitzgerald with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan.

A Connecticut sailor was killed in the collision of the USS Fitzgerald with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan.

Photo Credit: NBC News screenshot

U.S. Navy Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc T. Truong Huynh of the Oakville section of Watertown was 25. 

"This young sailor's death is a reminder of the risks our brave military men and women face each and every day. We mourn with his family and thank them for his service and sacrifice." U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty‏ said. 

The news of his death was announced Sunday by the U.S. Navy.

“My heart goes out to the Huynh family for their loss. Ngoc died serving our country, a debt we cannot repay. We are all grateful for his service and sacrifice,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy. “The crash of the USS Fitzgerald is an absolute tragedy, and I intend to get to the bottom of what happened so that the families of those we lost have the answers they deserve.”

Gov. Dannel Malloy is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to fly at half-staff in honor of Huynh.

Flags will remain at half-staff until burial or memorial services are held, the details of which are forthcoming. All other flags should also be lowered.

"The members of the military and their families make so many sacrifices to serve our nation, and today is a sad and tragic reminder of what these men and women risk in defense of our nation every day," Malloy said. "Our state and our nation are in mourning for all of those who lost loved ones onboard the USS Fitzgerald."

Seven sailors were killed in Friday's collision between USS Fitzgerald and a commercial container ship in Japan.

The remains of the seven sailors were located in flooded berthing compartments.

In addition to Huynh, the deceased are:

  • Gunner's Mate Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, Va.
  • Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego
  • Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, Texas
  • Fire Controlman 2nd Class Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, from Chula Vista, Calif.
  • Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, Md.
  • Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, from Elyria, Ohio

The deadly incident remains under investigation.

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