The community of Watertown, Connecticut is mourning the loss of Tan Huynh, who was among seven U.S. Navy sailors who diedwhen their destroyer collided with a merchant ship off the coast of Japan on Saturday.
Huynh was a 25-year-old sonar technician. He and seven other sailors were found in flooded berthing compartments on board the USS Fitzgerald two days after it collided with a ship from the Philippines.
Huynh was once a student at Watertown High School, where the American flag is now flying at half-staff. Principal Paul Jones says teachers there remember Huynh as a respectful and caring student.
"Watertown's a very tight-knit community," Jones said, "and it's always a shock when you hear that anyone who has been a part of our community loses their life in the service."
Connecticut lawmakers shared condolences on social media:
This young sailor's death is a reminder of the risks our brave military men and women face each and every day.— Elizabeth Esty (@RepEsty) June 19, 2017
2/2 The highly-skilled duties Huynh performed while aboard #USSFitzgerald kept our nation safe and it should never be forgotten.— Rep. Joe Courtney (@RepJoeCourtney) June 19, 2017
Jones says about five percent of Watertown High School students go into the military after graduation each year. The incident remains under investigation.
Tucker Ives contributed to this report.
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