JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Florida sailor is dead after going missing from the USS Mason, a Mayport-based destroyer, on Wednesday while operating in the Red Sea, the Department of Defense announced on Saturday.
The sailor, identified as Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola, 34, died on Wednesday after a "non-combat related incident," the DOD said in a statement on Saturday.
The incident is under investigation, according to the DOD.
Aregbesola was reported missing at sea Wednesday afternoon while conducting operations in the Red Sea on the USS Mason, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Friday.
He was assigned to the "Swamp Foxes" of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 deployed on the USS Mason operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet and served as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.
Aregbesola joined the Navy in 2020.
"Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodied the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor," said HSM-74 Commanding Officer Eric Kohut. "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."
A fellow sailor described Aregbesola as "the sweetest, nicest and kindest man" he ever met in the Navy.
"He had such a pure soul and I believe he had an impact on every person that had the honor to work alongside with him," said KB Johnson, a sailor who worked with Aregbesola.
Aregbesola was from Miramar, Florida, according to the release.