The Navy has identified a Maryland native as one of two Navy SEALs declared dead after they went missing on a mission near Somalia on Jan. 11.
Special Operator First Class Christopher J. Chambers, 37, and Special Operator Second Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27, were on a mission seizing "a vessel illegally transporting advanced lethal aid from Iran to resupply Houthi forces in Yemen," the Navy said in a statement according to NBC News.
Officials said Gage Ingram tried to board a vessel in rough seas but fell into the water. Chambers dived in to save him, and they both disappeared into the Arabian Sea.
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Chambers was a Maryland native, who went to Bishop McNamara High School for two years before graduating from Massachusetts' Westfield High School. He attended UMass Amherst, where he was a swimmer, and then the University of Maryland, the universities' web pages said according to NBC Boston.
According to the University of Maryland Men's Swimming and Diving roster from 2007-2008, Chambers was from Cheverly, Maryland, and studied business in college.
Gage Ingram was from Trophy Club, Texas, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore released a statement following the identification of Chambers that reads in part:
“Maryland and the nation have lost a hero. Special Operator First Class Christopher J. Chambers wasn't just a distinguished Navy SEAL, he was a true patriot in every beautiful sense of the word. He put his life on the line for our safety and security, and we will never forget his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”
This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for updates.
