U.S. Navy Oriola sailor Michael Aregbesola, who died after falling overboard while serving in the Red Sea, shared a heartbreaking Instagram post about a suicide attempt just a month before his death.
Aregbesola, 34, who was an aviation machinist’s mate second class, died on March 20 as a result of a “non-combat incident” in the Red Sea and an investigation into his death is underway, according to the Pentagon.
The US Navy said Aregbesola was “the sailor lost overboard from the USS Mason (DDG 87) while operating in the Red Sea, March 20.”
A month before his death, the sailor posted a video on Instagram with the caption “I died a week ago.”
Aregbesola said he suffered a mental breakdown on February 13 which led him to shave his head. He detailed his experience in the post and implored anyone suffering from mental illness to seek help.
U.S. Navy Oriola Sailor Michael Aregbesola died after falling overboard from the USS Mason in the Red Sea on March 20.
His wife told NBC6 that his death came as a “total shock” and that he was a beloved father to their four-year-old son.
She shared a heartbreaking Instagram post about a suicide attempt just a month before her death.
Aregbesola said he suffered a mental breakdown on February 13 that led him to shave his head.
—Do you know about suicide? You just don’t kill yourself, you kill every memory of yourself,’ she said.
‘It will be the only thing everyone remembers. Every second you spend on this Earth will come down to how you decide to leave it.’
“Mourning a loss would be hard because it is not losing your life, it is abandoning it,” Aregbesola said.
His wife told him NBC6: ‘I was in complete shock when two soldiers broke the news to me at my door on Friday morning. To this day, I still can’t believe it.”
“As a father of a 4-year-old son, Oriola was a source of guidance and support, always there to offer a listening ear and a comforting hug.”
“His wisdom and love guided us through life’s challenges, and his laughter brought joy to some of the darkest days,” she said.
Aregbesola joined the Navy in July 2020 and reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74, known as ‘Swamp Foxes’, in December 2020.
His friend, Jacob Rone, posted a tribute on Facebook: “Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola was an incredible person.”
“He was kind hearted, a gentle soul, an amazing sailor and an even better friend, he was the person any sailor could go to and talk to for hours, he was always working and I made sure he had food to eat because “I would miss meals every day.
Commander Eric Kohut said, “Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodies the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor.”
He joined the Navy in July 2020 and reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74, known as ‘Swamp Foxes’, in December 2020.
Pentagon Aregbesola, who was deployed to the USS Mason (pictured), died as a result of a “non-combat incident” and an investigation into his death is underway.
‘His outstanding performance before and during deployment went far beyond aircraft maintenance; He truly saw and valued each member of the naval/air team.
‘It will continue in the hearts of every Swamp Fox and our brothers and sisters in the IKE Carrier Strike Group. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family,” Kohut said.
His squadron was deployed to the USS Mason, which has been operating with the US Fifth Fleet in the Red Sea since November.
The Pentagon announced in December that the United States will join forces in a 10-nation military pact to try to counter terrorist threats in the Red Sea after a series of drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels.
The pact member – which also includes the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain – has said the attacks are a response to the war between Hamas and Israel.
The Houthis, who rule much of Yemen, said their attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians and have vowed they will continue until Israel stops its offensive in the Gaza Strip, more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi seat of power. enrage.
The USS Mason has been in the Red Sea since November to counter terrorist threats from the Houthis following a series of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships.
The US military’s Central Command said an anti-ship cruise missile ‘launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen’ hit the Strinda and that the destroyer USS Mason (pictured in 2021) was providing assistance.
Houthi rebels have been launching a series of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles at Israel as it wages war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
U.S. Central Command said in February that the destroyer USS Mason shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden. The department said it believed the missile was likely aimed at the MV Torm Thor.
A Norwegian-flagged oil tanker was hit by a cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea in their latest attack on ships to protest Israel’s bombing of Gaza.
The US military’s Central Command said the anti-tank cruise missile, launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, hit the Strinda and that the destroyer USS Mason was providing assistance.
If you or someone you know may be having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.