Photo By Staff Sgt. Keion Jackson | Midshipman 2nd Class Jordan Trantham, a student at the U.S. Naval Academy, uses a pin...... read more read more
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SOUTH KOREA - This wasn’t the kind of summer cruise you’d find featured in admissions pamphlets. There was no ship, no underway watches, and definitely no galley serving powdered eggs at 6 a.m.
Instead, Midshipman 1st Class Nick Feaster and Midshipman 2nd Class Jordan Trantham, students at the U.S. Naval Academy, found themselves knee-deep in dirt on a remote Korean mountainside, wielding excavation tools rather than a sextant. Their instruments were a pinpointer and a trowel and were working with a pair of mountaineers who knew the ridgelines better than any GPS ever could.
For most Naval Academy midshipmen, a summer cruise means time aboard an active-duty warship, submarine, or aviation unit—a chance to experience the rhythm of Navy life firsthand. These cruises give future officers a taste of the real Navy: shipboard operations, leadership challenges, and practical knowledge no classroom can provide. It’s about learning to lead and understanding the career paths ahead.
But Feaster and Trantham’s summer cruise was far from conventional. They joined a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recovery mission in South Korea as part of the recovery team.
“An email was sent out to students at the Naval Academy about an opportunity to join a DPAA mission in South Korea. I practically jumped out of my seat when I read it and immediately reached out,” said Trantham. “My great-grandfather was a Marine officer who served in both World War II and the Korean War. He inspired me—not only to become a Marine but also to attend the Naval Academy. I couldn’t pass up the chance to support the mission of bringing our service members home, especially where he served.”
While on mission their duties varied—from marking grid units and rappelling down cliff faces to digging for metal hits, to carrying extra rope for mountaineers ascending rugged terrain. Every task was essential to the mission, giving them invaluable experience beyond the bridge and deck.
“Each day looked a little different,” Trantham added. “On recovery days, we’d drive into the beautiful Korean countryside, hike to the site, gear up, and spend hours carefully searching for possible remains and other material evidence. It was challenging, detailed work but incredibly humbling. Every day reminded me of the sacrifice made by those who served, and how honored I was to help bring them home.”
The recovery site’s steep mountainside terrain presented unique challenges, slowing the pace compared to typical flat-ground missions. Every movement had to be intentional and coordinated to ensure the team’s safety. The uneven, sloped landscape required harnesses and rope systems, making even simple tasks take more time and effort. Despite this, the team remained focused, knowing safety was paramount.
“One of the hardest parts physically was trusting the ropes and letting go. As someone who likes control, it took a lot to rely on the equipment and the team,” Feaster said.
The slower pace also created space for reflection, making the mission especially meaningful. Each careful step offered time to think about why they were there and the importance of their task. That quiet reflection reminded them that this mission was about something far greater than themselves, honoring those who never made it home.
“There was a moment when I looked around and realized the service members we were recovering had been around my age,” Feaster reflected. “That hit me hard. We came from different times and places, but our paths crossed in a deeply personal way. It made me reflect not only on their sacrifice but also on the shared sense of duty connecting us across generations.”
That realization stayed with Feaster, giving new meaning to the work each day. It wasn’t just about recovering remains; it was about honoring the lives and sacrifices of service members many his age. This deeper understanding highlighted the true weight of service and sacrifice, reminding him that the mission was part of something far greater than any individual. It reinforced the responsibility to preserve the legacy of those who never came home.
“You often hear the words ‘service’ and ‘sacrifice,’ but this mission gave those words real substance. Being on the ground and seeing the cost of conflict up close made it deeply personal. It was a powerful reminder that our duty extends far beyond our own careers. We owe it to those who never came home to carry forward their legacy—with integrity, purpose, and an understanding that our actions honor their sacrifice,” Feaster said.
While this summer cruise didn’t hone their navigation skills or course plotting, it left a lasting impact on what it truly means to serve and leave no one behind, a principle that will shape these midshipmen as they take the next step and become officers.
“Being a naval officer isn’t just about mastering strategy and operations—it’s about embodying service, honor, and remembrance. This mission reminded me that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. With that legacy comes a profound responsibility. We must live up to their sacrifice by carrying their memory forward through our actions, leadership, and unwavering commitment to those we serve. Dedication to something greater than ourselves defines true leadership and shapes the officers we aspire to become,” Feaster concluded.
“It’s one of the greatest honors of my life to be part of this mission and play a small role in bringing everyone home,” Trantham said. “This experience has also been a powerful reminder of the responsibilities I will carry as a future Marine officer. It will be my duty to lead my Marines through any trial they face, whether at home or in conflict.”
Though the mission in Korea has come to an end, the lessons learned by the Midshipmen are far from over. The experience of honoring the fallen, working alongside seasoned recovery experts, and facing both physical and emotional challenges will last a lifetime. What they carried down from that mountainside was more than gear and equipment, it was a deeper understanding of leadership, sacrifice, and the sacred duty to remember those who came before. These lessons will guide them well beyond their time at the Academy, shaping the way they lead, serve, and uphold the legacy entrusted to them.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2025 15:29 |
| Story ID: | 501451 |
| Location: | KR |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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