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USS JOHN C. STENNIS, at sea – A
memorial service was held on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class
aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) April 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment)
3rd Class (AW) Gatlin Green, 22, a native of York, Pa., died while
performing a routine procedure on a Stennis catapult system after
the ship pulled into Changi Naval Base, Singapore on April 24.
A crowd of approximately 600 Stennis crew members attended the
memorial ceremony on Stennis’s bow. It consisted of Sailors from
throughout the ship but the majority came from the air department;
their brightly colored jerseys were front and center during the
ceremony, showing silent support for their fallen shipmate.
Stennis Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Kuzmick spoke about Green
during the ceremony’s opening remarks.
“I’m sure that like me, you are proud to have the honor to have had
the opportunity to serve with such a great Sailor, natural leader
and patriotic American,” said Kuzmick. “I’ve had the opportunity to
speak with Gatlin’s wife, mother and father-in-law. They are
naturally devastated by this but they are also buoyed by your
camaraderie with him.”
Later Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW/SW) Henry Ceballos and
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class (AW) Christopher Henry delivered
a eulogy for their fellow Aviation Boatswain’s Mate.
“Gatlin lived an amazing life even though it was rather short.
Gatlin was a great Sailor -- he was the type of Sailor that you
could count on day or night,” said Ceballos.”
Stennis Assistant Ship’s Chaplain, Lt. Marty Johnson offered words
of comfort before Chief Warrant Officer Rayvon Northern delivered
the Aviation Boatswain’s Mates’ Prayer.
Green was posthumously awarded a Navy Commendation Medal and the
Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist pin.
Weapons department delivered a 21-gun salute followed by taps and a
benediction by Johnson.
After the ceremony concluded Green’s shipmates paid their individual
respects and shared stories and remembrances.
Green is survived by his wife, Kelly. |
