Navy identifies missing sailor, presumed lost at sea

A missing U.S. Navy sailor who’s believed to have gone overboard on the USS George Washington has been identified. 

Search and rescue crews searched the Timor Sea near Australia for more than 45 hours and covered roughly 2,200 square miles, but were unable to locate him. 

Navy sailor presumed lost at sea

What we know:

The sailor has been identified as Airman Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV. Rivera Lynch, of Middleburg, Florida, enlisted in the Navy in June of 2024 and reported to USS George Washington in January.

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Australian military crews assisted with the search. 

What they're saying:

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of our shipmate, Airman Rivera Lynch," Capt. Tim Waits, commanding officer, USS George Washington, said in a statement. "I am sincerely grateful for the support and coordination from all units who assisted in the search effort, including our partners from the Australian Defence Force and Border Force."

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with Airman Rivera Lynch's family, friends, and shipmates during this incredibly difficult time," Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, said. "The courage and dedication shown by all personnel involved in this operation exemplifies the professionalism and commitment that defines our Navy."

What we don't know:

It’s unclear what caused Rivera to go overboard on the ship. 

Father said Rivera was ‘eager’ to serve

His father, Jose Rivera III, told WVEC his son was eager to serve. 

"He was a person that, whenever you met him for the first time, you met somebody that was so likeable, very humble, very helpful. No matter where I went with him, people just loved being around him," Rivera told the outlet. . 

Rivera said he and his son spoke 12 hours before he went missing. Rivera’s memorial was held over the weekend in his hometown in Florida. 

"I'll forever be grateful that they did their due diligence in searching for him. They will cover every wave and every rock, and they couldn't recover him, but the effort was there, and I commend them for that," his father said.