The Navy SEALs again had to say farewell to one of their own after a fatal training accident last Thursday claimed the life of Chief Special Warfare Operator Eric F. Shellenberger.
According to Navy spokesman Scott Williams, Eric Shellenberger was based in Pear City, Hawaii, assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One. This is the only team in the military that operates a mini-submarine that is used by the Navy for covert missions into enemy waters, such as intelligence operations and planting explosives on enemy ships. As part of this team, Shellenberger and his unit perform sensitive missions that Williams is not at liberty to discuss.
Outside of duties that involve going into the water, Shellenberger was also part of a team of SEALs who are tasked with the location and elimination of what was termed as “high value targets and terrorist leaders”. He served as Assault Team Leader in Ramadi, Iraq, during 2006-07’s “Sunni Awakening”.
Shellenberger passed away after experiencing problems during a training dive in the waters off Bremerton in Washington State. Shellenberger signaled for an emergency when he encountered difficulties, but he was non-responsive upon reaching the surface and could not be revived, according to Navy Officials. He was brought to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, where he died. The Navy is currently investigating the incident.
Eric Shellenberger leaves behind his fiancée, two brothers, his father, mother and stepfather. He had already spent eight years with the marines before enlisting in the Navy in 1999. His career brought him to seven tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and consisted of executing some of the Armed Forces’ most dangerous missions. Admiral Edward Winters III, Commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command was quoted on the Morning Call, saying that Shellenberger’s loss was “heart-wrenching”. He was 36 years old.
May 20th, 2009 - 8:46 am
My heart goes out to the family of another one of America’s Mighty Warriors. There are no words that can provide the comfort that Eric’s familiy needs during this time, but please know that I appreciate each and every one of these brave SEALs and all that they do to protect me and defend my freedoms. As a Gold Star Mother I understand their grief and loss and am praying for them, and I will never forget!
May 23rd, 2009 - 2:09 pm
It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet Eric's Father the other day. There is no doubt Eric was a part of a wonderful family, and you know that his fiancee and the rest of the family greatly misses him. We, as a nation, need more people like them defending our freedom.
God Bless You in the Name of Jesus Yeshua
Larry & Eunice
June 21st, 2009 - 5:46 pm
[...] May 7, Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Eric Shellenberger experienced serious problems during a training dive in Bremerton in Washington State and did not [...]
July 10th, 2009 - 6:17 pm
I will miss his jabs about me being a Hollywood Marine and him being a real Marine. I always shot back about him jumping ship and becoming a sailor. I watched him train here in the NW and was always impressed how earger he was to get after it. He hated to wait. And I now know he made the right move. He was a Spartan warrior. To his family I want express that his spirit will live on here in the Great NW. Each day I am reminded of my friend as I pass by the Aircraft Carrier in Bremerton that marks his final act. America will miss this warrior……
August 30th, 2009 - 2:25 pm
Great blog you got here…keep up the good work.
October 24th, 2009 - 12:37 pm
I had the pleasure to have “Sgt Shell” as a platoon sgt while in the corps. he was our platoon sgt and also our friend. I spent lots of time with him durring training and off duty. We became like a family in opps plt. and were known for being the toughest sons of bitches around. Sgt Shell was the reason for this. He was what a Marine was suposed to be. While at times we hated how he would volunteer us for the hard work, he was always right there with us to show he wasnt above getting dirty too. Hell he would even be smiling and crackin jokes to bring up moral. He was the one who showed me how to be a leader and how to keep a plt of marines as tight as family.
You were a huge part of shaping me into the marine i was and you will never be forgotten. I know you wouldnt have wanted everyone to be sad and emotional so I will simply have a beer for ya!
Illigetimus non tatum carborundum!
Yer lil bull dog!
October 24th, 2009 - 7:35 pm
I served with “Shell” in 98 and 99. He was our Platoon Sgt, and a damn good Marine. We did a few deployments together to Alaska and the desert. He’d always say, “Dont worry, we wont be here long enough to even be miserable”
He was a great example for us younger Marines and im sure he was one hell of a SEAL. You’ll be greatly missed brother. Semper Fi.
October 24th, 2009 - 8:14 pm
Chief Shellenberger, or Sgt. Shell as I knew him, was the first and greatest role model in my career. He embodied what a Marine should be, and we all knew he was destined for great things when he left us for the SEALs. I am deeply saddened to here of his passing and consider myself lucky to have ever known him, and we are all blessed for what he spent his life doing for the America. Oorah, Sergeant Shell, you will be missed.
February 18th, 2010 - 5:02 am
[...] became a sad day for the Navy SEALs, as they lost one of their own after a training accident near Key West, Florida. A feature on The Virginian-Pilot shared that the Navy has confirmed the [...]