Sailor dies aboard American supercarrier USS Harry S. Truman

The U.S. Navy has announced the tragic death of Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Jelani A. Hill, a crew member aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

According to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Public Affairs, Hill passed away on 1st October 2024 due to a medical emergency unrelated to the ship’s operations.

The incident occurred as the aircraft carrier was transiting the Atlantic Ocean on a scheduled deployment.

Despite being treated in the ship’s Intensive Care Unit, efforts to revive Petty Officer Hill were unsuccessful.

The U.S.  Navy extended condolences, stating, “We mourn the loss of Petty Officer Hill. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and shipmates during this difficult time.”

The USS Harry S. Truman is currently operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, which is headquartered in Naples, Italy. This fleet is responsible for conducting a range of joint and naval operations in coordination with allies and partners, to promote U.S. national interests and ensure stability in Europe and Africa.

The ship and her history

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is the ninth nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth in the Nimitz class. Named after the 33^rd president of the United States, Newport News Shipbuilding laid the keel for the $4.5 billion warship on Nov. 29, 1993. The ship’s sponsor, the late President’s daughter Margaret Truman Daniel, christened the ship on Sept. 7, 1996, and the ship was launched on Sept. 13, 1996.

On July 25, 1998, President Bill Clinton commissioned the ship during a ceremony attended by an estimated 20,000 people at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Having adapted President Truman’s renowned assurance that “the buck stops here,” Clinton said during the ceremony that the U.S., as the world’s lone superpower, “must continue to be responsible, to say the buck stops with the United States.”

In November 1998, Truman hosted the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at sea, marking the first time a Blue Angels’ jet ever landed aboard an aircraft carrier. The ship departed on its maiden deployment on Nov. 28, 2000. During the deployment, aircraft from Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) flew 869 sorties, totaling 2,700 flight hours, supporting Operation Southern Watch. After nearly 180 days and traveling more than 44,000 nautical miles, the ship completed its first deployment on May 23, 2001.