The Navy has released the names of two SEALs who died during an operation in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 11, identifying the Special Warfare Operator who jumped in to save his teammate as Westfield-native Christopher Chambers.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and shipmates of Special Operator Chris Chambers, who lost his life while selflessly trying to save his teammate off the coast of East Africa,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “I’m keeping the Westfield community and all who knew Chris in my thoughts as Massachusetts mourns another tragic loss, and my heart goes out to all of our heroes who serve and our military families.”
On Jan. 11, members of the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team 3, including Chambers, 36, and Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, were on a raid on a boat carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia.
Members of the team were beginning to climb aboard the vessel when Ingram slipped off the ladder and fell into the waves between the two boats, according to U.S. officials. Chambers jumped in after his teammate in an attempt to rescue him.
But weighed down by their body armor, weapons and heavy equipment, U.S. officials said, both men sunk. An 11-day rescue mission was called off Sunday, though recovery efforts continue.
Healey said she recognized “ultimate example of the sacrifice that every servicemember and veteran has offered on behalf of our country” in Chambers’s actions.
“Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities,” said Capt. Blake Chaney, commander of the Naval Special Warfare Group that oversees SEAL Team 3.
Chambers was born in Maryland but moved to Massachusetts as a high school junior and graduated from Westfield High School, according to his UMass bio. He was on the swimming team in high school and a member of 2005-06 Men’s Swimming and Diving team at UMass Amherst. During his time in college, Chambers won the 200-yard medley relay twice.
During high school, he was the Massachusetts 50 Freestyle State Champion as a senior, held the high school record for the 50 freestyle at 21.65 seconds and was a member of the National Honor Society, his college bio said.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Chambers and honor his service to the nation,” a UMass Amherst spokesperson said, extending the school’s “deepest condolences.”
Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago also offered “heartfelt sympathies” to Chambers’s family friends and fellow sailors.
“In the face of an unthinkable tragedy, our Massachusetts veteran community comes together to mourn the passing of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers,” Santiago said. … “To all who knew Chris, we can’t begin to understand the unimaginable pain you are facing, but we’re committed to honoring his legacy.”