Nigerian-Born U.S. Naval Officer, Aregbesola, Dies After Falling Overboard in Red Sea.
By Caroline Ameh
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola, a Nigerian-born U.S. Naval officer, has lost his life after falling overboard from the USS Mason (DDG 87) while on duty in the Red Sea.
Aregbesola, who made headlines in 2020 for renouncing his Nigerian citizenship to join the U.S. Navy, was deployed with a detachment aboard the USS Mason, operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area since November.
The U.S. Navy released a statement confirming the incident, expressing sorrow over the loss and highlighting Aregbesola’s exceptional performance both prior to and during deployment. According to the statement, his contributions extended beyond aircraft maintenance, earning him recognition and respect among his peers.
Commanding Officer of HSM-74, Eric Kohut, shared his condolences, revealing that Aregbesola joined the Navy in July 2020 and reported to HSM-74 in December 2020.
Aregbesola’s passing has deeply affected the naval community, with colleagues and superiors mourning his loss and offering condolences to his family. He will be remembered for his dedication and service to his country.
