The U.S. Navy SEAL who was shot and killed by Islamic State militants in Iraq on May 3 is being promoted to the rank of chief petty officer, the Navy said Wednesday.
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Naval Special Warfare Command has launched an investigation into the death, Davids said, but he couldn’t speculate as to whether Lovelace had a condition that brought on the incident or whether he hadn’t been feeling well Friday. He lost consciousness, and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Lovelace was withdrawn from the exercise when he began to have difficulty with the drill, Navy officials told NBC News.
Seaman James Derek Lovelace, 21, of Crestview, Fla., was participating in a first week Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) swimming exercise when instructors noticed he was having trouble and was moved to the edge of the pool.
“Though Derek was very new to our community, he selflessly answered his nation’s call to defend freedom and protect this country”, Hennessy said.
Mr Lovelace was in his first week of training as a SEAL trainee after joining the Navy about six months ago, Mr Davids said.
Lovelace attended Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette, Alabama before graduating from basic training on January 28, 2016 in Great Lakes, Illinois.
According to the Navy SEAL site, the first phase “is seven weeks long and develops the class in physical training, water competency and mental tenacity while continuing to build teamwork”. “He will be sorely missed”. Survivors include his father, James Lovelace; sisters, Lynsi Price of Ft.
His remains will be driven through Coronado to the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Following the funeral service, a public procession honoring Keating will take place down 6th Avenue in Coronado around noon Friday.
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