USS Fitzgerald Collision: Elyria Man Among 7 Killed

ELYRIA, OH — The U.S. Navy has confirmed that seven men were killed after the U.S.S. Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine merchant ship on Friday. Among the deceased is Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, from Elyria, Ohio. Rehm was a fire control man 1st class, Fox 8 reports.

The seven men were found on Sunday, after an extended search. The ship was severely damaged as a result of the crash and had to be taken back to its base in Yokosuka, Japan. The deceased sailors were found in flooded berthing compartments.

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The full list of the deceased is:

- Gunner’s Mate Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, Virginia
- Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego, California
- Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, from Oakville, Connecticut
- Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, Texas
- Fire Controlman 2nd Class Carlosvictor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, from Chula Vista, California
- Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, Maryland
- Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, from Elyria, Ohio

According to the Navy, the ship was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel around 2:20 a.m. local time on Saturday though details surrounding the incident are unclear. Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin said at a press conference that he is launching an investigation and will be assigning a flag officer to lead that investigation. There will also be a safety investigation and the U.S. Coast Guard will take the lead on the marine casualty investigation.

"The damage included a significant impact under the ship's pilothouse on the starboard side and a large puncture below the ship's waterline, opening the hull to the sea," Aucoin said. "The ship suffered severe damage rapidly flooding 3 large compartments that included 1 machinery room and 2 berthing areas for 116 crew. The Commanding Officer's cabin was also directly hit, trapping the CO inside."

To read more about what happened during the incident, click here.

Image via US Navy