A sailor died on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan last month, the U.S. Navy first revealed to Navy Times on Friday.
The Navy confirmed that 19-year-old Amare Long was found dead on the ship on April 18. It’s not clear why the news was not revealed until three weeks later, but the service confirmed the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the incident.
“Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Amare Long, assigned to USS Bataan (LHD 5), was found deceased onboard the ship April 18, 2022. Our thoughts go out to his family and shipmates during this incredibly difficult period, and we would ask that their privacy be respected at this time,” Naval Surface Force Atlantic spokesman Jason Fischer said in a statement.
The Norfolk, Va.-based ship was docked at its homeport at the time of Long’s death. The ship has since deployed.
An April 26 Facebook post by the Mark Edwin Lee UNC Basketball Camp Scholarship – of which Long was the first recipient – announced that Long was laid to rest on that day.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce that Amar’e Long, the first ever recipient of the Mark Edwin Lee UNC Basketball Camp Scholarship, was laid to rest today in his adopted hometown of Hampton, VA,” the post said.
“Amar’e was an extremely dedicated brother, son, grandson & most recently, Sailor in the United States NAVY. His passion for life, leadership skills, & infectious smile will long be remembered not only by family & friends, but by the community at large,” the post added. “Life is a precious thing that can change at any moment. In this very difficult time, please remember to always tell the people who matter most that you love them.”
An obituary from Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel said Long’s service was set for April 26 and would be followed by “entombment with full military honors” at Hampton Memorial Gardens.
