The U.S. Navy has sadly announced the passing of Nigerian Aviation Machinist Oriola Michael Aregbesola, who tragically fell from a ship in the Red Sea.
According to a statement released on March 20, Aregbesola went missing from USS Mason (DDG 87) in the Red Sea.
Expressing condolences to his family, HSM-74 commanding officer Cmdr. Eric Kohut praised Aregbesola's selflessness and exceptional performance.
The statement from Cmdr. Kohut read, “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.
“Aregbesola, of Florida, joined the Navy in July 2020. He reported to HSM-74 in December 2020. 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.
“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.
“Mason and HSM-74 are part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group and currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.”
It's notable that Aregbesola renounced his Nigerian citizenship publicly after joining the U.S. Navy in 2020, citing the hardships he faced in his home country.
In a tweet, he stated, “I was jobless for so many years, my country of birth (Nigeria, now renounced) failed me, but the U.S. NAVY saw potentials in me and made me a fine ass sailor, working on Jet engines.”
