A married U.S. Navy officer and father of two died by suicide while his ship was moored in Cleveland, Ohio.
Commander Jonathan Michael Volkle was found dead aboard the USS Marinette on October 27, the Navy confirmed.
The 44-year-old “was found unconscious and later pronounced deceased,” according to a statement from the US Surface Force Atlantic.
“Our thoughts go out to the Volkle family during this incredibly difficult time, and we ask that their privacy be respected.
‘Littoral Combat Ship Squadron (LCSRON) 2 provides chaplaincy and mental health care to the ship’s crew. Commander Janet Brooms will be appointed executive officer.”
The second in command of the Littoral Combat Ship had served in the Navy after enlisting in 2007 and worked as a surface warfare officer.
Commander Jonathan Michael Volkle died by suicide on board his ship last month
The 44-year-old was found unconscious aboard the USS Marinette on October 27 (photo)
Volkle served aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman, the guided-missile destroyers USS John McCain and the USS Fitzgerald, and commanded the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot.
A memorial service for the soldier was held on Saturday, November 11, in Peeples, Florida.
Volkle is survived by his wife Kaori Kato Volkle and two sons, Bruno and Nino, as well as his parents, Skip and Louise Volkle.
“I met John when I started working at Destroyer Squadron 15 to coordinate U.S.-Japan relations,” friend and colleague Yuma Kuwata wrote on a page dedicated to Volkle.
“The entire Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force had great respect for John,” Kuwata explained.
“He not only inspired me, but he inspired an entire organization.
Volkle had served in the Navy after enlisting in 2007 and worked as a surface warfare officer
The USS Marinette was moored in Cleveland, Ohio when Volkle died
“John is without a doubt the most trusted U.S. naval officer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and has done more for U.S.-Japan relations than any U.S. military officer in the past 70 years of the alliance.
“Thank you John for showing us the way. We will carry the torch you gave us. Rest in peace.’
Another friend, Christopher Homer, wrote, “Jon was a good friend of mine in Japan when he taught at Tateyama.”
‘We had so much fun telling jokes and talking about life.
‘Jon was an inspiring person who gave everyone confidence, which was a nod to his future career as a professional leader.’
Volkle’s death comes as the Navy struggles with rising suicide rates and mental health issues in its ranks.
In 2022, the agency experienced its highest increase in suicide deaths since 2019. according to USNI News.
Last year, ten sailors committed suicide on one ship alone, and three within a week.
At least five crew members aboard the USS George Washington (pictured) were confirmed to have died by suicide. There have been others who have attempted suicide but failed to commit suicide
Ten soldiers died by suicide on the USS George Washington, while dozens more revealed suicidal thoughts.
More than 200 sailors were removed from the aircraft carrier following the deaths, but reports of widespread mental health problems were later revealed to the mental health charity Brandon Caserta Foundation.
Sailors said they discussed with each other every day that they were going to kill themselves, mentioned ‘drugs, pills, hanging, jumping, driving into a tree, getting a bullet in the skull, slit our wrists, a toaster in the bath’, confessed that they felt like their boss “It doesn’t matter one way or the other whether you live or die,” said they were “stressed” and “isolated,” and someone said they wouldn’t mind if a bus hit them .
According to Department of Defense statistics, military suicides have increased 44 percent since 2015.
Since 2015, 4,842 soldiers have committed suicide and in 2020, 384 soldiers died by suicide.