Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Navy

Cheryle Stone did not even know she had a second cousin—much less one who had been killed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941—until the U.S. Navy contacted her in 2021, asking for a DNA sample. The sample matched, and Stone was suddenly connected to history.

A Black sailor serving in a segregated Navy, 19-year-old David Walker was a mess attendant 3rd class aboard the battleship USS California when the Japanese attacked. Two torpedoes breached the ship’s hull, forcing it to tilt as it filled with water. Enemy bombs then began exploding on the deck. When the attack ended, 102 crewmembers had been killed, including Walker.

In the weeks and months after the attack, the remains of 42 unidentified sailors and Marines were removed from the ship and buried at the Halawa Naval Cemetery in Hawaii. In 2018, the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency exhumed the unknown graves related to the California to identify them through DNA testing. That was how Stone learned she had a cousin.

Stone’s mother died when she was five, and she and her sister were sent to live with a member of their church; her brother went to another family. Stone knew almost nothing about her mother’s family. “The only thing I heard was that we had a family member who died,” Stone said. “No one said ‘died at Pearl Harbor.’”

Stone initially did not respond to letters and calls from the Navy. It was not until her nephew read one of the letters that he convinced her to respond. In January 2024, two Navy chiefs visited Stone and showed her materials relating to her cousin, including a letter from her aunt dated Dec. 29, 1941, asking the Navy about her son. There were no response letters. “I could feel her pain,” said Stone.

Stone chose to have her cousin’s remains buried at Arlington National Cemetery. “He deserved the honor of being at Arlington,” she said. “He put in his service just like the others who are buried here.”

On Sept. 6, 2024, Stone and about 20 family members and friends gathered in Section 62 for Seaman Walker’s funeral. U.S. Navy Chaplain (Lt.) Jennifer Miles, who oversaw the ceremony, told the group, “Today, Mess Attendant 3rd Class David Walker takes his rightful place here on these hallowed grounds.”

Rear Adm. Mike Brown, with the office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, presented the tightly folded flag to Stone. After the service, Brown spoke about the importance of remembering Seaman Walker. “It’s meaningful for his family to see him get the recognition he deserves as a sailor in the U.S. Navy,” Brown said, “and I think it’s important, as a Navy, to own our past and recognize African American sailors who served in 1941 in very specific jobs in our segregated service. We’ve come a long way.”

Stone concluded the service for her cousin by reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and leading everyone in a prayer. When she finished, she pronounced, “Aunt Edna, your baby boy is home and he’s being laid to rest.”

Source: United States Navy

YAP, Federated States of Micronesia–A multinational team representing five Pacific nations concluded the fourth mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) with a closing ceremony at the Yap Living History Museum in Colonia, Yap, Sept. 10.

The 11-day Yap mission stop brought more than 70 participants from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States who came together to increase humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) preparedness in the Indo-Pacific.

“Each year, the Pacific Partnership team collaborates with our allies and partners to strengthen our capacities to respond to humanitarian disasters,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73. “This mission is a testament of our commitment to ensure a safer, more resilient region. Over the past week, we have witnessed outstanding dedication from each and every person involved.”

During the mission stop, the team held more thanv50 medical events, caring for approximately 700 patients; handed out nearly 300 pairs of eyeglasses; performed over 30 tooth extractions; repaired dental chairs, x-ray machines, and sterilizers; and conducted subject matter expert exchanges in a wide variety of disciplines.

In collaboration with the Yap State Disaster Control Office and the U.S. Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, the Pacific Partnership HA/DR team held workshops on emergency operations and boating safety, which informed members of the community about the state disaster response plan and future climate impacts on the area.

“I thank you for the humanitarian aid accorded to our people to improve our lives, knowledge, skills, health, and well-being in dealing with disasters, repairs, and restoration of our societal construct,” said Yap Gov. Charles Chieng. “Let us march forth from this place and time, in a shared and cooperative venture for peace and stability of this here, our Yap State, region and the world.”

The host nation outreach team organized 25 community engagement events consisting of school visits, cleaning and restoring World War II memorial crash sites, U.S. Navy recruiting events, interfaith dialogue sessions, and concerts from the Pacific Partnership Band, composed of musicians from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band and the Royal Australian Army Band.

Engineering efforts brought together members from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, 30th Naval Construction Regiment and Yapese subject matter experts to perform repairs and maintenance on equipment at Yap International Airport.

“Our collective efforts have included medical, engineering, disaster relief and community outreach projects, each one highlighting the importance of partnership,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler, PP 24-2 mission commander.“The success of these efforts would not have been possible without the cooperation of our Yapese hosts, and the support of the local community. You have welcomed us with open arms, and we are especially grateful.”

Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational HA/DR preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership visit, www.clwp.navy.mil/Pacific-Partnership.

Source: United States Navy

MANAMA, Bahrain— Chief petty officer selectees from multiple commands on board the installation hosted a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, Sept. 11.

The event opened with the parading of colors, national anthem, and invocation, and continued with the reading of first responder testimonials, a ceremonial flag passing, and a recount of the timeline of events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001.

Rear Adm. Matt Kawas, deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, spoke about how the 9/11 attacks changed the U.S. Navy and the American way of life forever.

“Thank you, first and foremost for being here today and remembering,” said Kawas. “Remembering it’s been 23 years since that fateful day. 23 years since four commercial airlines crashed into the Twin Towers in New York, in a field in Pennsylvania, and into the Pentagon, changing the trajectory of our nation. 23 years since naval ships executing one set of missions were suddenly redirected,” said Kawas. “The world felt like it was moving 100 miles a minute in those first few uncertain weeks, but we are a resilient Naval force. We grew. We adapted. We persevered.”

Kawas thanked NSA Bahrain personnel and partner nations for their commitment to maritime security, regional stability, and the continued strengthening of interoperability and cooperation.
“Exercising vigilance, performing deterrence, and establishing enduring partnerships: these are what prevent another 9/11 from happening,” said Kawas. “Our work here honors those lives lost, both on 9/11 and the 23 years since. You all make a difference, and we continue to make a difference every day right here in 5th Fleet because we have been looking forward, remain looking forward, remain engaged, and most importantly, remain ready.”

Capt. Zachariah Aperauch, commanding officer, NSA Bahrain, explained the strategic significance of the installation in 2001, and how base personnel rose to the occasion to support increased operations in the region.

“This base transformed to the center of gravity in the war on terror; CENTCOM’s [Central Command] main operation base in the AOR [area of responsibility]. They didn’t have everything we have now, but what they had was something far more important; the unbreakable spirit to serve; to protect; to fight back, and to honor their duty,” said Aperauch. “Here, at one of the most strategically vital installations on the planet, we are called to stand the watch in times of uncertainty. Tensions are high, the stakes are great, and, just like on that day before, today may feel like any other day, but we know that tomorrow can change everything.”

Aperauch reflected on the heart and grit of first responders and military personnel in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and how we should strive to emulate their courage and determination.

“This day isn’t just about remembering what we lost; it’s about remembering what we found,” said Aperauch. “Our sense of duty, our commitment to each other, our unwavering resolve to never forget. So today, let’s recommit ourselves to that same spirit of service and sacrifice. Let us honor the memory of those we lost by ensuring we are always prepared to defend what is right and just. And let us never forget the price of our freedom.”

NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and coalition maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family with honor, courage and commitment.