Pensacola Sailor Honored In Memorial Service On USS Ronald Reagan

November 28, 2017

A memorial service in honor of the life and service of Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso of Pensacola  and two other sailors was held held aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan.

Grosso graduated in 2017 from West Florida High School and then reported to Naval Station Great Lakes for recruit training. After graduating boot camp, he attended “A” school in Pensacola, Florida, and received orders to Ronald Reagan. He arrived at CFAY and checked in to Reagan Ranch on November 7  to begin his preparations to join his first ship underway.

Also killed in the crash were Lt. Steven Combs, from Florida, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri, from Louisiana.

There were 11 crew and passengers aboard a C-2A Greyhound of VRC-30 when it crashed into the ocean approximately 500 nautical miles southeast of Okinawa, Nov. 22. Eight were immediately recovered. The aircraft was conducting a routine transport flight carrying passengers and cargo from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, to Ronald Reagan.

“The loss of these crew members hits across the entire ship with great significance,” said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “On behalf of the entire crew of USS Ronald Reagan, I extend heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences to the families and friends of the three shipmates we lost.”

The memorial service included remarks by Donnelly and Capt. Michael Wosje, commander, CVW-5; a presentation of biographies of the lost Sailors by chaplains assigned to Ronald Reagan and CVW-5; personal reflections by Sailors who knew the deceased; and performances of Amazing Grace and Taps.

“AOAA Bryan Grosso was someone who was not only a shipmate, but a good friend to me and many other members of our class from the Reagan Ranch,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Apprentice Byron Arndt, a Sailor who reported to Reagan Ranch around the same time as Grosso. “What I like about Bryan was that he’s an outgoing, kind, and caring person, always willing to be there for his friends and shipmates. Even if he didn’t know too much about the topic of discussion, Bryan would always listen and pay attention to what we had to say. Then if he had anything to say about it, he would offer his advice and opinion. I really respected that.”

Comments

3 Responses to “Pensacola Sailor Honored In Memorial Service On USS Ronald Reagan”

  1. Sue Shanahan on December 14th, 2017 1:34 pm

    My heart goes out to the family. His mother has always spoken so highly of him. I have known her for years and have followed his growth. So proud to fallow his Dad in the Navy. Prayers for the family.

  2. Howie on December 2nd, 2017 11:04 am

    Prayers for his family, and friends including his Military Family. Losing someone is never easy. God Bless all of you.

  3. Gene on November 28th, 2017 9:39 am

    God bless this family- Praying for a Miracle

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News