USS Fitzgerald Collision: Ohio Man Saved Shipmates

ELYRIA, OH — Gary Rehm, 37, the Elyria sailor who perished in the fatal collision of the U.S.S. Fitzgerald with a Philippine merchant ship, reportedly saved other sailors who could have died in the accident. Rehm also called his fellow sailors his kids, The Daily Beast reports.

The crash took place at about 2:20 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Fitzgerald collided with the ACX Crystal, a cargo ship. The ship suffered severe damage rapidly flooding three large compartments that included one machinery room and two berthing areas for 116 crew. The devastation spurred Rehm into action.

The website reports that Rehm managed to save about 20 sailors before perishing himself. Rehm and the six other missing Fitzgerald sailors were found on Sunday after an extended search of the ship. The deceased sailors were found in flooded berthing compartments. Rehm's family said he was three months from retiring, the Elyria-Telegram reports. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Avon-Avon Lake newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

“When we heard that he ran in and helped save other sailors from drowning, we said that was Gary. That was Gary to a T,” Rehm’s friend Christopher Garguilo told the Washington Post. “He never thought about himself.”

Rehm followed his grandfather's footsteps into the Navy. The elder Rehm served in World War II and spent time on ships near Japan. Rehm's uncle told the Daily Beast it was fitting that his nephew's last tour was set to be in Japan, where his grandfather had proudly served.

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

Image via US Navy