Ohio officials react to Elyria sailor’s death

Ohio officials have taken to Twitter to express their condolences in the tragic death Leo Rehm of Elyria.

Ohio officials have taken to Twitter to express their condolences in the tragic death of U.S. Navy Fire Controlman First Class Gary Leo Rehm.

Rehm, 37, of Elyria, and six other sailors died June 17 after a USS Fitzgerald destroyer collided with a container ship off Japan, according to a June 18 article from the Associated Press.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich tweeted, “We mourn the death of seven sailors aboard the USS Fitzgerald off the coast of Japan, including Ohio serviceman Gary Leo Rehm Jr. of Elyria.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown, DOhio, tweeted, “Thoughts are with the loved ones of the seven brave U.S. Navy sailors who lost their lives this weekend, including those of Ohioan Gary Leo Rehm Jr.”

And Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, tweeted, “Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Ohio native Fire Controlman First Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr.”

Rehm was one of the seven sailors discovered after the USS Fitzgerald returned to a Navy Base in Yokosuka, Japan, aided by tugboats, according to the Associated Press

Others sailors included, Gunner’s Mate Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, Va.; Yeoman Third Class Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego, Calif.; Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc T. Truong Huynh, 25, from Oakville, Conn.; Gunner’s Mate Second Class Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, Texas; Fire Controlman Second Class Carlosvictor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, from Chula Vista, Calif.; Personnel Specialist First Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, Md., according to the Associated Press.

U.S. NAVY VIA AP Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, from Elyria is shown. He is one of the seven sailors who died in a collision between the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship off Japan on Saturday.