By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The US Navy has confirmed that a Nigerian-born Naval Officer, Michael Aregbesola, has died in the Red Sea after falling overboard while in operation.
The US Navy on Saturday, 23 March, 2024 said Aregbosola assigned to the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, was deployed with a detachment aboard Mason, which has been operating in the US 5th Fleet since November.
In the statement provided on the Naval website, the Pentagon wrote, “The U.S. Navy on Saturday identified the Sailor lost overboard from USS Mason (DDG 87) while operating in the Red Sea, March 20.
“Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola, assigned to the ‘Swamp Foxes’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, was deployed with a detachment aboard Mason, which has been operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet since November.
“Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodied the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor,” said Cmdr. Eric Kohut, HSM-74 commanding officer.
The Navy also commended his outstanding performance prior to and during deployment.
“His outstanding performance prior to and during deployment went well beyond aircraft maintenance; he truly saw and valued every member of the ship/air team.
“He will continue on in the heart of every Swamp Fox and our brothers and sisters in the IKE Carrier Strike Group. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family,” the statement added.
Aregbesola, of Florida, joined the Navy in July 2020. He reported to HSM-74 in December 2020.
In October 2020, immediately after he was recruited, Aregbesola wrote about his ordeal of being jobless for so many years before his breakthrough in the US Navy.
“I was jobless for so many years, my country of birth (Nigeria, now renounced) failed me, but the US Navy saw potential in me and made me a fine ass sailor, working on jet engines,” he wrote on Twitter (now X).
