GUAM -- Gerald William Turner, Jr., 23, a Gunner's Mate Seaman assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) was pronounced dead at 2:08 p.m., July 30, 2020 at U.S. Naval Hospital Guam.
Turner was found unresponsive within a designated liberty area at Naval Base Guam during a scheduled port visit. Three search and rescue qualified Sailors performed life-saving efforts until an ambulance arrived on scene to continue administering emergency care.
"The Lava Dog team sends its sincerest love and condolences to the Turner family. We are deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend, shipmate, and Lava Dog family member,” said Cmdr. Chad Trubilla, commanding officer of Rafael Peralta.
Turner, originally from Maryland, enlisted in the Navy on July 5, 2018. He was first assigned to Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill., followed by the Center for Surface Combat Systems School at Great Lakes, Ill., prior to reporting to USS Rafael Peralta.
The cause of death is currently being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.