Wasp receives cremains of deceased command master chief

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Wilkes | 160228-N-TO519-035 NORFOLK, Va. (Feb. 28, 2016) Chief Religious Programs Specialist Jason Boykin, from Santee, S.C., places the cremains of Master Chief Personnelman Charles Claybourn, the commissioning command master chief of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), in the ship's chapel during a reception of cremains ceremony aboard Wasp. During a scheduled underway in March, Claybourn's remains will be committed to the sea during a burial at sea ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Wilkes/Released)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

03.02.2016

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Wilkes 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) – Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) received the cremains of Master Chief Personnelman Charles L. Claybourn, the commissioning command master chief of Wasp, during a reception of cremains ceremony Feb. 28.

Master Chief Claybourn, from Kingsport, Tennessee., enlisted in the United States Navy in 1964, at the age of 17, and during his 33 year career served aboard nine ships and visited 89 countries. He saw action in four theatres; Da Nang Republic of Vietnam, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Bosnia and Somalia. Other duty stations included the Pentagon, the Bureau of Naval Personnel and Officer in Charge of Naval Personnel at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Claybourn spent his last eight years in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia. serving as command master chief aboard three ships, including Wasp.

For many aboard Wasp, the reception of Claybourn’s remains has made a clear impact, on both personal and professional levels.

“This is my first time participating in a burial at sea ceremony for an original plank-owner but it is a privilege to have the opportunity to honor him and his family," said Chief Religious Programs Specialist Jason Boykin, from Santee, South Carolina. “As we prepare to commit his cremains to the sea, we will do everything we can to support his family, honor his memory, and continue his legacy of service.”
Individuals eligible for this program are: active duty members of the uniformed services; retirees and veterans who were honorably discharged; U.S. civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command; and dependent family members of active duty personnel, retirees, and veterans of the uniformed services.

“I believe that having the Wasp’s first CMC aboard for the burial at sea is a great opportunity for myself and the entire crew to learn a bit about our history and honor a fellow shipmate,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Cody Hager, from Milford, Ohio. “I’ve been honors boatswain’s mate for at least 20 different occasions aboard Wasp so far and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.”

Burial at sea is a means of final disposition of remains that is performed on United States Navy vessels. The committal ceremony is performed while the ship is deployed. Therefore, family members are not allowed to be present. The commanding officer of the ship assigned to perform the ceremony will notify the family of the date, time, and, longitude and latitude once the committal service has been completed. Claybourn will be laid to rest during Wasp’s next scheduled underway.

If you have any questions about the Burial at Sea program, please contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs office toll-free at 1-888-647-6676, and select option 4.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2016
• Date Posted: 03.02.2016 10:44
• Story ID: 190835
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US
• Hometown: KINGSPORT, TN, US