One of the seven sailors who died after the USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship on June 17 was stationed on Guam for about three years, according to Greg Kuntz, Joint Region Marianas public affairs officer.
“Navy is family and when we lose family, it can hurt,” Kuntz said.
The USS Fitzgerald and the merchant vessel ACX Crystal were involved in a collision about 64 miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, according to the Navy.
The Navy on Monday released the names of the seven sailors who died, which included personnel specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, originally from Maryland.
“The remains of seven sailors previously reported missing were located in flooded berthing compartments after divers gained access to the spaces … that were damaged when USS Fitzgerald … was involved in a collision with the Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal,” a Navy statement said.
Martin, 24, served at the Guam base’s Personnel Support Detachment, Kuntz said. He left the island in July last year.
U.S. Naval Base Guam is holding a memorial Mass at the Base Chapel Tuesday afternoon for the seven deceased sailors.
“(Naval Base Guam) sends our thoughts and prayers to the families of our brothers and sisters on USS Fitzgerald,” a Naval Base Facebook post stated.
In addition to a memorial mass, the base’s Fleet and Family Services is offering counseling to those who might need help.