Michael Ernst, a US Navy SEAL and father of two, tragically died in a free-fall parachute training accident in Arizona. The incident occurred at a Marana training field on Sunday and Ernst was rushed to a Phoenix hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
This is the first parachute accident resulting in a fatality for a Navy SEAL in the past six years, as reported by USNI News.
Ernst enlisted in the Navy in 2009 and was a part of an East Coast unit. He quickly excelled in his career and was awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest military combat award. Rear Adm. Keith Davids described Ernst as an exceptional teammate, a dedicated Navy SEAL who utilized his talents and skills to tackle some of the nation’s toughest challenges while selflessly mentoring his colleagues. Ernst’s family, which includes his wife, two children aged three and five, and their dog, will be supported by the Navy SEAL Foundation team.
The foundation has launched a fundraising campaign for the family, as they navigate through this difficult time. Ernst’s cause of death or the extent of his injuries have not been disclosed yet. The NSW community and Ernst’s family are devastated by this loss, and the foundation is seeking the public’s help to support them.
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