Connecticut Mourning the Loss of Suffield Sailor

SUFFIELD, CT — The Navy has officially identified a Suffield sailor as one of those who perished when the warship USS John McCain collided with an oil tanker near Singapore earlier this week.

Family members, and officials from Suffield and the state joined to mourn his loss on Friday. Dustin Louis Doyon, 26, was a electronics technician third class.

The accident took place Monday. The Navy on Friday said it had identified some remains found in the aftermath of the incident.

The Doyan family released the following statement early Friday morning:

"On behalf of the entire Doyon family, we want to thank all those who have extended their support and prayers. Dustin was a wonderful son, big brother and sailor. He truly loved his family, the Navy and his shipmates. We are incredibly proud of him and his service to our country. We will miss him immensely and we are so very thankful for the 26 wonderful years we had together.

"As we mourn the loss of our son and brother, we would like to extend our appreciation to so many people, especially the community of Suffield, Connecticut, who has been supporting us since we first learned of the accident. We are also thankful to the United States Navy for their continued support and are thinking of the brave crew of the USS John S. McCain who are still hard at work with a difficult task.
We ask everyone to keep the families and friends of those affected by this terrible tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

"As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for our family and we respectfully request that you continue to respect and honor our privacy."

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Friday morning announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to fly at half-staff in honor of Doyon.

Malloy ordered Flags to remain at half-staff until burial or a memorial services take place.

Services have not been announced.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during the time, Malloy said.

“It is with tremendous sadness that we mourn the loss of Petty Officer Doyon and his fellow shipmates, who gave their lives serving our nation,” Malloy said. “Petty Officer Doyon is an American hero who represented the best of Connecticut and the United States. This loss reminds us of the dangers faced day and night by the men and women of our military who are stationed overseas. Our hearts are with his family and friends during this difficult time – they should know how incredibly proud the people of Connecticut are of his service to our country.”

Added Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, “I join the Doyon family and friends in mourning Petty Officer Doyon and his shipmates lost aboard the U.S.S. John S. McCain. They made the extraordinary choice to serve our nation, and we are deeply grateful for their selflessness and sacrifice. We hold the Doyon family in our thoughts as they endure this terrible time and tragedy.”

Immediately after the order, state police from the Troop C barracks in Tolland could be seen lowering the flags. Suffield First Selectman Melissa Mack took to the steps of Town Hall to express the town's grief.

Two of the 10 soldiers declared missing were confirmed found on Friday by the Navy.

U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, who lives in nearby Vernon, is the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and took the loss to heart.

"The Doyon family's tragic loss of their beloved son Dustin who was ably serving in our nation's defense is a loss for every American," he said in a statement released Friday. "His decision to volunteer to join the Navy, and put himself in harm’s way for his country showed his patriotism and caring for others, which we should all revere and honor.”

Photo Credit: The Doyon Family; Chris Dehnel; U.S. Navy via the Associated Press