VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Navy Diver 1st Class James Reyher, 28, of Caldwell, Ohio, and Navy Diver 2nd Class Ryan Harris, 23, of Gladstone, Mo., died while conducting a routine training dive at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Md., Feb. 26. Harris and Reyher were assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) Two located at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Ft. Story.
“Our hearts go out to the families of Petty Officer Harris and Petty Officer Reyher,” said Capt. John Coffey, deputy commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group Two. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to families, friends and shipmates during this very difficult time.”
Harris enlisted in the Navy on June 13, 2007, and graduated from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL. in August 2007. Harris successfully completed dive training at the Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, FL. and was designated a Navy Diver in Apr., 2008. He served at Navy Submarine Support Facility in New London, Conn., from May 2008 - June 2011 before reporting to MDSU-2 in June 2011.
Harris is survived by his wife Deanna, two children, his parents Harold and Debrah and his brother, Kyle.
Reyher enlisted in the Navy on May 28, 2008, and graduated from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL. in July 2008. Reyher successfully completed dive training at the Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Fla., and was designated a Navy Diver in February 2009. He served at Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility Pacific Northwest from March 2009 -April 2012 before before reporting to MDSU-2 in April 2012.
Reyher is survived by his wife Diana, his mother Julie, and father Steven.
“Ryan and James epitomized the unsung hero persona of the Navy Diver. We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with them,” said CDR Michael Runkle, Commanding Officer, MDSU-2. “We are all deeply saddened by their loss and are focusing on supporting their families during this time of need.”
EODGRU-2 is conducting an investigation into the deaths of the sailors.