Naperville Sailor Apologized to Iran After Capture

NAPERVILLE, IL — One of the 10 U.S. sailors captured and then later released by Iran for drifting into its territory is a Naperville resident.

The commander, Lt. David Nartker, attended Benet Academy in Lisle and graduated from the U.S. Navy academy in 2011. Nartker is now a 27-year-old platoon commander based in San Diego, according to a report from ABC 7.

“It was a mistake. That was our fault. And we apologize for our mistake,” Nartker said in a video released by Iran TV.

Nartker’s family told ABC 7 they haven’t spoken to him yet and are only aware of what they’ve been seeing on the news. His father told the Chicago Tribune he believes they will get to speak to him on Saturday.

The 10 Navy sailors were detained after their patrol boats drifted into Iranian waters, according to the Associated Press. The sailors were traveling from Kuwait to Bahrain when at least one of the boats experience mechanical trouble and the boats lost contact with the U.S. Navy, according to the Department of Defense

They were kept overnight and released after the apology.

Locals recognized Nartker, reports the Chicago Tribune:

St. Raphael physical education teacher Diane Cook said she was shocked to see a former student among the sailors being held captive by the Iranians. “I knew he was in the Navy. That was his dream,” said Cook of Nartker, who she said never missed 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.

Cook said Nartker participated in sports at St. Raphael and “always was respectful and poised.” She said that same calm, respect and poise she saw in Nartker as a boy came through in the video.

A U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release said the sailors departed Farsi Island shortly before 4 a.m. Eastern time aboard the two riverine command boats they had been operating when they lost contact with the U.S. Navy.

The sailors later were transferred ashore by U.S. Navy aircraft, and other sailors took charge of the boats and continued transiting toward Bahrain.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said in a release that he’s pleased the sailors have been released and are back in U.S. hands.

“Around the world, the U.S. Navy routinely provides assistance to foreign sailors in distress, and we appreciate the timely way in which this situation was resolved.”

more via ABC Chicago| Photo Credit: US Navy