Sailor who died aboard USS Essex identified

SAN DIEGO – A sailor who died aboard the San Diego-based USS Essex was a 38-year-old senior chief petty officer, the Navy announced today, July 1.

Jason May, of Chesterfield, Michigan, complained of chest pains and collapsed during routine operations Monday, according to the Navy. Medical personnel were unable to revive him.

The amphibious assault ship left San Diego in May and is deployed in the Middle East, along with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore and the amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage. The ships are carrying members of the Camp Pendleton-based 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

SAN DIEGO - A sailor aboard the deployed San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Essex, carrying members of the Camp Pendleton-based 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, died shortly after reporting chest pains, the Navy's Fifth Fleet reported June 30.

The unidentified sailor collapsed and died Monday, June 29, while the ship was conducting routine operations in the Middle East, according to the Navy.

Medical personnel aboard the ship were unable to revive the sailor. The cause of death is undetermined.

The Essex, amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore and the amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage left San Diego last month. They arrived in the Middle East just over a week ago.