Navy confirms Etowah sailor dies after going overboard in the Baltic Sea
A United States sailor from Etowah who went overboard from the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke on Monday in the Baltic Sea has passed away, the Navy announced Thursday.
The Seaman Recruit, 19-year-old David "Dee" Spearman, had reported to the Arleigh Burke in April following training at Surface Warfare Engineering School Command in Great Lakes, Ill., U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet said in a statement. According to an email from Commander Richlyn Ivey, Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet, Spearman's body has not been recovered.
How Spearman went overboard is under investigation, Ivey said.
"While on watch Monday afternoon, one of USS Arleigh Burke's lookouts noticed a person in the water and the ship conducted man overboard procedures. The specific details of incident are under investigation," he said on Aug. 4.
Family members and friends of the family posted about Spearman going overboard on Facebook earlier this week and requested prayers.
"My heart breaks for my family that has lost their son, my nephew Dee Spearman, to an accident out at sea," Cindi Hobbs, Spearman's aunt, posted on Facebook. "They suspended the search for him. I can’t fathom this. I can’t wrap my head around such a tragedy. But I understand the raw pain. I hurt so bad. No mama or daddy should feel this. Ever."
After the incident, U.S., Swedish and German military personnel conducted searches for Spearman, according to the statement.
“This bright, young man made an oversized positive impact on Arleigh Burke. My entire crew’s thoughts and prayers are with Seaman Recruit Spearman’s family and friends. We offer our most sincere condolences for their loss,” said Cmdr. Pete Flynn, commanding officer, USS Arleigh Burke in the statement. “Thank you to the Swedish and German navies, the U.S. Air Force, and the Sailors from Arleigh Burke for their extensive efforts to search for our shipmate.”
According to "Stars and Stripes," Spearman is at least the second sailor to die while on duty in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in a little more than a year. On July 18, 2021, Petty Officer 1st Class Robin Nicole Collins, 26, of Manchester, Missouri and Titusville, Florida, also died while on duty. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service didn't release details, saying the investigation was classified, "Stars and Stripes" reported.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Navy confirms Etowah sailor dies after going overboard in the Baltic Sea
