Dakota Rigsby was named as one of the seven missing sailors from USS Fitzgerald. Tragically, the Navy now says all of the sailors’ bodies were found.
One of the missing USS Fitzgerald sailors has been identified as Dakota Rigsby, a young man from Virginia.
Tragically, the U. S. 7th Fleet has confirmed that all seven missing sailors perished in the collision between the Navy destroyer and the ACX Crystal, a container ship flying under the flag of the Philippines.
The Navy hasn’ t formally identified any of the deceased sailors, nor did it provide a list of the missing. However, CNN reported that all seven of the sailors’ bodies were discovered.
Local media identified Rigsby as one of the seven missing.
Here’s what you need to know:
Dakota Rigsby devoted his life to public service. In addition to joining the U. S. Navy, he was a volunteer firefighter back home. That’s a cause he shared with his mother.
“Dakota Rigsby volunteers for the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire Department, ” wrote CBS19.
“Please keep our fire department family in your thoughts and prayers. Firefighter Rigsby is currently commissioned to the USS Fitzgerald, and is reported to be missing after a tragic collision with a merchant freighter off the coast of Japan. Both Firefighter Rigsby and his mother serve our community, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and those searching, ” the Lake Monticello Fire Department shared on Facebook.
CBS19 “confirmed one of the sailors reported missing, Dakota Rigsby, was from Fluvanna County” Virginia.
On Facebook, Rigsby wrote that he was single and from Palmyra, Virginia. He graduated from Fluvanna County High School.
“Truly a sad day. I have nothing but great things to say about Dakota Rigsby, ” wrote one friend on Facebook, Ryan Boone. “One of the most positive, uplifting guys I knew in school no matter what. You will be missed by all of us and your Fluco family. Thinking and praying for your family through all of this. Thank you so much for your service to this country. Rest In Peace brother. ‘Non sibi sed patriae.’”
Another friend, Robert Celestino, wrote, “Dakota Rigsby, you were one of the greatest roomates I’ ve had back in Great Lakes and an even better friend. Thanks for helping me the Halloween door decorating and even have your profile pic with part of the decoration.”
“Such a genuine and caring man. I was friends with him in boot camp and during his time in Great Lakes prior to his deployment, ” wrote another friend.
Although the family did not wish to be interviewed, according to CBS, the family asked the community for its prayers.
Many offered them, as well as tributes to Dakota on social media.
“I met Dakota Rigsby in Great Lakes. Although I wasn’ t very close with him, from the small amount we talked, he was a great person. Always kind, very polite and well liked among everyone. We will miss you. Fair winds and following seas shipmate, ” wrote James R. Terra on Facebook.
At first, after the collision between USS Fitzgerald and ACX Crystal near Japan, the seven sailors were reported as missing. Then came the tragic news.
“A number of Sailors’ bodies that were missing from the collision between USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and a merchant ship have been found, ” the U. S. 7th Fleet reported, and CNN later reported that all seven of the missing sailors’ bodies were discovered.
“As search and rescue crews gained access to the spaces that were damaged during the collision this morning, the missing Sailors were located in the flooded berthing compartments. They are currently being transferred to Naval Hospital Yokosuka where they will be identified, ” the 7th Fleet reported.
ACX Crystal is the ship that collided with USS Fitzgerald. Seven US sailors were missing. Learn more about the container ship from the Philippines.
On Facebook, Rigsby listed his occupation as gunner’s mate. In 2016, a friend wrote on his Facebook page, “I’ m too excited for you to get to Japan!!!!!!”
The collision is under investigation, but, according to The Guardian, the much larger ACX Crystal may have made a “sharp turn” before it collided into the Fitzgerald, causing severe damage and costing the sailors their lives.
The other six missing sailors have not yet been identified publicly.
