Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villot-Carrasco was on her first tour of duty aboard the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), when her life ended tragically. She leaves behind a husband and her parents in Puerto Rico.
She joined the Navy in April, 2013 and left Norfolk on the Destroyer USS James E. Williams on May 30, 2014. On June 19, shipmates found her unresponsive and the Navy is investigating her death as a suicide. A memorial service was held for her on the USS James E. Williams on June 20th. There isn't personal information available at this time, but there is a sufficient statement from the Commander of the destroyer USS James E. Williams, on a vibrant, young Sailor. Please take a moment to read and reflect on Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villot-Carrasco.
Since 2001, there have been 2337 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villotcarrasco, 23, of Parma, Ohio, died as a result of a non-hostile incident June 19 aboard USS James E. Williams (DDG-95) while the ship was underway in the Red Sea.
From
Navy Times:
Boatswain's Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villotcarrasco
Commander Curtis Calloway of the USS James E. Williams issued this statement on the
USS James E. Williams Facebookpage:
Shipmates, Friends, and Family,
It is with a heavy heart I come to you today. The early days of a deployment are generally a time of excitement and energy, but today is filled with sorrow and concern. One of our shipmates will not be returning from deployment with us.
Boatswainmate Seaman Yeshabel Villot-Carrasco passed away last night. She was a young, vibrant Sailor setting out on her first deployment. After crossing the Atlantic and visiting Spain, she helped us get through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea. Tragically that is where her cruise ended. Married late last year, she leaves behind a husband who was also deployed and two loving parents in Puerto Rico.
We will be honoring her life during a Remembrance this evening on the Messdecks. This event will be facilitated by Chaplain Ray Adkins, who has also been providing individual counseling to the crew during this troubling time.
As we deal with this loss, I encourage you to lean on those around you for support and provide similar support to those in need. In addition to the resources available in the Hampton Roads area, Military OneSource (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/...) provides some tools for service members and their families.
I encourage you to remember the good she brought into all of our lives and honor her memory through compassion to those around you.
V/R, Curtis Calloway, CDR, USN
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by i dunno, Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, The Fat Lady Sings, Ekaterina, Joy of Fishes, and me, Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.