Crew members attached to the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Montana (SSN 794) man the ship during a commissioning ceremony in Norfolk, Va., June 25, 2022. (John Smolinski/U.S. Navy)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Tribune News Service) — The Navy identified the USS Montana sailor who died Monday after being found at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Devon Jeffrey Faehnrich, an electronics technician navigation 3rd class, was found unresponsive on the pier adjacent to the fast-attack submarine by another crew member. Faehnrich was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Faehnrich, who is from Colorado, enlisted April 20, 2021. He spent his first year of service attending training schools in Illinois and Connecticut before reporting to the USS Montana.
Faehnrich reported to the USS Montana on March 30, 2022. The submarine was commissioned in June 2022 and is undergoing a post-shakedown availability at the Newport News shipyard.
“We deeply mourn the loss of our shipmate, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Sailor’s family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time,” said Cmdr. Paul Macapagal, spokesperson for Submarine Force Atlantic.
Grief counseling services and support are being provided to shipmates through the chain of command and the command chaplain, Macapagal said.
Faehnrich’s death is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
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