Donations Taken To Support Wife, Baby Of Drowned U.S. Navy SEAL Chambers Of Cheverly

BOWIE, MD — Donations are being accepted to help the family of Navy SEAL Chris Chambers, who went missing during operations in the Gulf of Aden. Chambers, 37, was declared dead Jan. 21, 10 days after he went missing at sea trying to rescue a team member who fell into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia.

Chambers is survived by a wife and a baby girl, according to a photo shared on the foundation's website. The Navy SEAL Foundation has been accepting donations to assist the Chambers family. Chambers grew up in Prince George's County near Cheverly.

The Navy said Chambers, a Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class, and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27, went missing Jan. 11 while trying to board an unflagged ship carrying Iranian-made weapons to Houthi rebels. The men were members of the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team 3, the Associated Press reported.

Chambers and Ingram, both assigned to a Naval Special Warfare unit, were lost at sea during a the night-time raid. Officials told the AP that both men drowned when Chambers went to rescue Ingram because they were both weighed down by their body armor, weapons and heavy equipment, CBS News reported.

Records provided by the Navy show Chambers enlisted on May 17, 2012, and served with West Coast-based SEAL units since graduating from SEAL qualification training in Coronado, California, in 2014. His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "C," three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, an Army Achievement Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon, among other awards.

Chambers has been remembered for his time spent coaching other kids at the Cheverly Swim and Racquet Club.

“He was a standout leader,” Maryland Del. Julian Ivey told WTOP; Ivey remembered being coached by Chambers around 20 years ago. “He would have us swimming a whole bunch of laps, but he would jump in first and he would set the pace. It was to show, ‘I’m not about to tell you to do something that I’m not willing to do myself.' Diving in to save the gentleman … is just what Chris would do."

Former University of Maryland swim coach Sean Schimmel remembered Chambers and the impact he had on others there, too.

“What stands out … he had a huge big smile, and he always had it,” Schimmel told WTOP. “And he was just a really genuine person and a nice person.”

Schimmel also remembered Chambers’ stint as one of the Testudo the Terrapin mascots at other University of Maryland sporting events.

“It just kind of gives you another level of kind of freedom to go about doing a lot of stuff in front of a lot of people when you have the costume on, you know,” said Schimmel. “He liked being in front of people and … try to inspire people and engage with them to have a good time and experience the moment. So he probably did that a lot with that suit on.”

According to Swim Swam magazine, Chambers swam for both the University of Massachusetts and the University of Maryland. Chambers moved with his family to Massachusetts before his junior year of high school. As a student at Westfield High School, he was the Massachusetts 2005 state champion in the 50 freestyle and also placed 3rd in the 100 free. He then joined the University of Massachusetts for his freshman year in 2005-2006, and then transferred to the University of Maryland for the remainder of his collegiate career.

While at Maryland, Chambers represented the Terrapins at three consecutive ACC Championships from 2007 to 2009. In his senior year, he placed 38th in the men’s 200 free, 46th in the 100 free and 47th in the 50 free.

“Maryland and the nation have lost a hero. Special Operator First Class Christopher J. Chambers wasn't just a distinguished Navy SEAL, he was a true patriot in every beautiful sense of the word," Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement Monday night. "He put his life on the line for our safety and security, and we will never forget his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty."

President Joe Biden said in a statement that, “Jill and I are mourning the tragic deaths of two of America’s finest — Navy SEALs who were lost at sea while executing a mission off the coast of East Africa last week. … These SEALs represented the very best of our country, pledging their lives to protect their fellow Americans. Our hearts go out to the family members, loved ones, friends, and shipmates who are grieving for these two brave Americans. Our entire country stands with you. We will never fail to honor their service, their legacy, and their sacrifice."

"Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities," Capt. Blake Chaney, the commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, said in the Navy's statement. "This loss is devastating for [Navy Special Warfare], our families, the special operations community and across the nation."

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MD Navy SEAL Died Trying To Save Team Member On Raid: Officials