WESTFIELD, MASS. (WHDH) - A man from Westfield has been identified as one of two Navy SEALs who died trying to rescue a teammate in the Arabian Sea near the coast of Somalia earlier this month.
As word spread of his death, tributes were pouring in Tuesday for Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher Chambers.
“He was a bigger than life young man — full of energy,” said Westfield High School head swim coach Tom Lewis.
The Navy on Monday identified the fallen SEALs as Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and state Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago in a subsequent statement said Chambers was a Westfield native.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and shipmates of Special Operator Chris Chambers, who lost his life while selflessly trying to save his teammate off the coast of East Africa,” Healey said.
“I’m keeping the Westfield community and all who knew Chris in my thoughts as Massachusetts mourns another tragic loss, and my heart goes out to all of our heroes who serve and our military families,” Healey later added.
Military ends search for missing SEALs
US Central Command in a statement said SEALs were working on Jan. 11 to seize a vessel that was illegally bringing Iranian-made weapons to Houthi forces in Yemen.
Ingram fell into heavy seas while trying to board the ship, according to the Associated Press, prompting Chambers to jump in and try to save him.
The AP said SEALs were able to seize weapons and detain crew members before sinking the unflagged ship at the center of this operation.
With two missing SEALs, though, a search effort got underway. After 10 days, US Central Command on Sunday said the SEALs had not been located and were now considered deceased.
“We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example,” said US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla over the weekend. “Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also reacted to the news, saying in a post on X “The entire Department is united in sorrow today.”
Fallen SEAL remembered as accomplished swimmer
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski in a statement said Chambers graduated from Westfield High School in 2005.
As word spread of Chambers’ death, the flag at his former school flew at half staff.
“He was a bigger than life young man — full of energy,” Westfield High School head swim coach Tom Lewis told 7NEWS.
“He was the kind of kid that you instantaneously knew was going to make a difference,” Lewis said.
Lewis was Chambers’ swim coach after Chambers moved from Maryland to Westfield in his junior year.
Lewis said Chambers quickly impressed everyone.
“He wanted to work on his turns one day and I said ‘What kind of drills would you like to use?’” Lewis recalled. “He said ‘We have this one we’ve been using down in Maryland a little bit.’”
Twenty-three years later, Lewis said the team calls the drill “the Chambers Drill.”
Chambers was recruited to join the UMass Amherst swim team after high school graduation.
There, his coach said it was likely skills he learned in the pool that set Chambers up for what was ahead.
“Swimming on a team tends to create a camaraderie,” said now-retired UMass Amherst Swim Coach Russ Yarworth. “And I’m sure that camaraderie on a swimming team is only strengthened by SEAL training because it’s so intense.”
Czaporowski, the Westfield schools superintendent, said Chambers was “a terrific athlete and swimmer.”
“Our school community has been affected by this tragedy and we offer sincere condolences to family and friends,” Czaporowski continued.
At UMass Amherst, the university in a statement said in part, “We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Chambers and honor his service to the nation.”
Current UMass Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach Sean Clark also responded to news of Chambers’ death, telling 7NEWS “All of us UMass Swimming Alumni are stunned by this tragedy.”
“Even though I didn’t coach him directly, I followed his accomplished [UMass] swimming career as he grew up,” Clark said. “He was a force in the sport.”
Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago on Tuesday said the state’s veteran community is coming together to mourn Chambers’ passing.
Back in Westfield, coach Tom Lewis said the circumstances of Chambers’ death were “typical Chris Chambers.”
“His teammates needed help,” he said. “He was one of the first one to jump in. He was always that way.”
Chambers, 37, leaves behind a wife and small child.
There is a fundraiser underway through the Navy Seal Foundation raising money to support Chambers’ family. Learn more here.
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