Two Navy SEALS, one of whom is from the Roanoke area, have been declared dead after they were lost at sea on a mission off the coast of Somalia.
On Jan. 11, members of the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team 3 tried to climb aboard a ship carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons, the Associated Press reported. Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram slipped and fell into the water and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher Chambers, of Maryland, jumped in to try to save Ingram.
An 11-day search and rescue mission was called off on Sunday, and the Navy released their names on Monday. Ingram, 27, was from the Roanoke/Trophy Club area in far south Denton County, according to local media reports.
“On behalf of every Sailor, Marine, and Department of Navy civilian around the world, I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of our fallen Navy SEALs, Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram,” Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said in a statement Tuesday. “Their service was part of our collective commitment to maritime security in the Middle East and economic prosperity in the United States and around the world. These men embodied the SEAL ethos, serving their country, the American people, and protecting our way of life. Our Navy, Department, and our Nation are safer because of the service of these two warriors. Our prayers are with their families and the entire Naval Special Warfare community during this difficult period.”
Ingram attended Lakeview Elementary School, Medlin Middle School and graduated from Byron Nelson High School — all in the Roanoke area — according to Northwest ISD.
For those who knew Ingram best, the fact that he enlisted in the Navy and earned a place among the nation’s most prestigious military units came as no surprise, according to a NISD news release. Ingram chased his dream of enlisting in the military with the full tenacity those who knew him expected. Those who watched him grow up also cited one key reason they were not surprised he entered the military: his attitude of helping and caring for others.
That instinct of supporting others appeared at a young age, according to Terri McNutt, his kindergarten teacher at Lakeview Elementary School. She said that every day, she could count on a hug from him, even after he had moved on to the next grade levels, alongside a smile she came to view as his hallmark.
“I got back in touch with Gage’s mom on Facebook, and it didn’t surprise me at all to see he entered into the military,” Mrs. McNutt said. “When I saw the photos she would post of him, I saw the same huge smile he had in kindergarten. At that age, it’s normal for students to get in arguments, but that never happened with him. He always had a tender heart and was easy for others to get along with because of his kindness.”
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I ordered flags across Texas to fly at half-staff to honor U.S. Navy Special Operator Second Class Gage Ingram, a Navy SEAL and native Texan who died serving his country.
Cecilia & I join his family and all who grieve this hero’s loss.
Texas will never forget his sacrifice.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 24, 2024
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