US Navy sailor mourned

The US Navy in Bahrain is mourning the sudden death of a popular military award-winning sailor serving in the Gulf.

Command Master Chief Jeffrey Garber, 43, died on Saturday aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower. Initial indications are that he died of natural causes.

CMC Garber was found in his room and all efforts by a medical team to revive him were unsuccessful.

Originally from Hemingford, Neb, Garber enlisted in the Navy in December, 1983.

Rear Adm Kurt W Tidd, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight, said: "His passing leaves a hole in our family. We out here at sea were Jeff's 'other' family; the family he spent so many hours and days and years with over the course of his Navy career. We were the family that he dedicated so much of his life to serving.

"Today it is his family back home in Virginia and Nebraska who are very much in our thoughts and prayers. Jeff gave each of us, every day, the full measure of his joy and devotion. We will miss him."

Eisenhower's Command Master Chief, Bryan Exum, echoed similar sentiments. "The impact Master Chief Garber has had on the Navy is immeasurable. Our last conversation was about the importance of CPO history and heritage, and it ended with a firm handshake and smile.

"I will never forget our last handshake. He was the embodiment of a great CMC. He will be missed by the men and women of Team IKE."

CMC Garber's military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal. A memorial service is planned for June 27.

The USS Dwight D Eisenhower is operating in the Arabian Sea as part of a regularly-scheduled deployment to the Bahrain-based US 5th Fleet area of operations.