{"id":27973,"date":"2018-06-17T15:55:40","date_gmt":"2018-06-17T15:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smg.go-vip.net\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/06\/17\/the-crew-is-still-hurting-one-year-later-some-fitzgerald-shipmates-struggle-to-go-forward\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:29:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:29:42","slug":"the-crew-is-still-hurting-one-year-later-some-fitzgerald-shipmates-struggle-to-go-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/ship-collisions\/2018\/06\/17\/the-crew-is-still-hurting-one-year-later-some-fitzgerald-shipmates-struggle-to-go-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The crew is still hurting\u2019: One year later, some Fitzgerald shipmates struggle to go forward"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If he was going to survive the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2017\/08\/17\/water-on-deck-get-out-the-navys-official-report-of-the-fitzgeralds-catastrophe-at-sea\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Fitzgerald<\/a> collision, the sailor knew he would have to swim for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was 1:30 a.m. on June 17, 2017, and a massive merchant vessel had just ripped a cruel gouge into the right side of the destroyer as it steamed off the Japanese coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sea poured through that massive hole and into his living quarters, hitting the ceiling in about a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amidst a curse of unwieldy, waterborne debris, the sailor took what might have been his last gulp of air and went under, swimming for about 10 seconds until he reached the safety of the hatch and higher ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/ship-collisions\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/YOGOQIQQJZEW5HFCFQER66F24M.jpg\" alt=\"banner for one year later\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He took a moment to collect himself, then went to his station and did his part to save the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of the sailors on the deck made it out, but seven friends and shipmates could not escape the flood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Xavier Martin, Dakota Rigsby, Shingo Douglass, Tan Huynh, Noe Hernandez, Carlos Sibayan and Gary Rehm were lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cmdr. Sean Babbitt was the ship\u2019s second in command that day and was grabbing a few hours\u2019 sleep at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had been on board for less than 100 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/ship-collisions\/2018\/06\/17\/one-year-after-the-fitzgerald-collision-the-families-of-the-fallen-grieve-and-search-for-answers\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Darrold-funeral-2.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">One year after the Fitzgerald collision, the families of the fallen grieve and search for answers<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">A year after seven sailors died aboard the warship Fitzgerald, some families are angry at how the Navy has handled the tragedy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A year later, he remembers it all in \u201cflashes and moments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The collision shook everything, and \u201cI woke up with my television in my lap,\u201d he said recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other random memories come to mind. A barefooted sailor tending to the wounded and asking for boots. A group of midshipmen on their first underway, huddled on the deck in their life jackets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-damage-2.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-damage-2.jpg.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-damage-2.jpg.jpg?resize=300,157 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-damage-2.jpg.jpg?resize=768,402 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-damage-2.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,536 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The inside of the destroyer Fitzgerald after it collided with a merchant vessel on June 17, 2017, killing seven sailors. (U.S. Navy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI remember the stark scene of looking over the starboard bridgewing for the first time, seeing the twisted metal and spraying water,\u201d Babbitt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But he mostly recalls the quiet capability of the crew, men and women from the engineers to the bucket brigade who shook off the shock, remembered their training and got the ship back to land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Fighting Fitz\u2019s most tragic hour also became one of its finest.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2017\/08\/17\/water-on-deck-get-out-the-navys-official-report-of-the-fitzgeralds-catastrophe-at-sea\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-17-at-5.48.43-PM.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">\u2018Water on deck!\u2018 \u2018Get out!\u2018 \u2014 The Navy&#8217;s official report of the Fitzgerald&#8217;s catastrophe at sea<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Sailors had less than a minute to escape as seawater blasted through a massive hole in the destroyer Fitzgerald after a container ship struck its starboard side on June 19.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A year later, the disaster has shaken Big Navy to its institutional core and dropped family members in a fog of grief that will never fully lift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has also left lingering trauma among some of the crew who survived that day, hundreds of sailors who have since been scattered to other commands and left without the close-hold support of shipmates who had been there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe crew is still hurting,\u201d Babbitt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>\u2018The same as it\u2019s always been\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sailor who swam for it asked to remain anonymous because the Navy has not authorized him to discuss his experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He mourns his shipmates, yet still loves the sea, his job and the Fitz. <span class=\"js-paste-start-7POAESPZ75FRVKALGXAEWN5MKQ\"> But sleep is rare, and he feels \u201creally high levels of anxiety\u201d around his new ship on some days.<span class=\"js-paste-end-7POAESPZ75FRVKALGXAEWN5MKQ\"> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not helping much since June 17 is around the corner,\u201d he told Navy Times recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Babbitt said the sailor is not alone in his post-traumatic stress and that the crew will need help for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLong-term mental health care is needed for everyone who was there that day, even if they are showing no signs of trauma,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope the Navy recognizes this and puts a system in place to track all of us and follow up years down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEAN-BABBITT.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEAN-BABBITT.jpg.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEAN-BABBITT.jpg.jpg?resize=300,157 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEAN-BABBITT.jpg.jpg?resize=768,402 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEAN-BABBITT.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,536 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">YOKOSUKA, Japan (June 19, 2017) Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, left, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, and Rear Adm. Greg Fenton, right, commander of Naval Forces Japan\/Navy Region Japan, speak to Cmdr. Sean Babbitt, executive officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). Babbitt temporarily took command of the ship after a collision with a merchant vessel June 17, 2017 when Fitzgerald\u2019s commanding officer was injured and medically evacuated. The ship suffered severe damage but returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka under its own power. The incident is under investigation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Richard L.J. Gourley\/Released)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Fitz fell under the Yokosuka, Japan-based 7th Fleet, a command that has come under fire for a bruising operational tempo that left little time for training and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sailor said shipmates started informal support groups after the collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe try to maintain, and we tend to gravitate back to our Fitz crowd when we get together,\u201d the sailor said. \u201cThe Fitz is still very much alive and well in Yokosuka, even if our ship isn\u2019t here with us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fitz sailors have since been scattered across the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About 85 percent of the ship\u2019s 267 surviving crew members were reassigned after the collision, scattering them to other commands that had not shared the same harrowing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sailor said he wanted to stay with the Fitz and even volunteered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut that decision was made way above our heads and we got cross-decked and hull-swapped to different platforms in 7th Fleet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2017\/08\/17\/fitzgerald-co-other-sailors-to-be-disciplined-in-connection-to-fatal-collision\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitzgerald-arriving-in-yokosuka.JPG.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Fitzgerald\u2019s CO and sailors standing watch face discipline in fatal collision<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The Navy plans to discipline up to 12 Fitzgerald sailors, including the commanding officer, in connection to the destroyer\u2019s fatal June collision with a commercial ship that led to the drownings of seven sailors in their berthing.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Babbitt fears it could hurt their ability to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a piece this year for Proceedings magazine, he accused the Navy of reassigning the crew to help fix \u201ca spiraling manning deficit\u201d in 7th Fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBreaking them up to fill holes on the 7th Fleet waterfront was wrong,\u201d he said in an interview. \u201cWe had a strong crew who became very tight in the aftermath and who relied on each other to pull them through daily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Navy officials said earlier this year that the reassignments were not limited to 7th Fleet waters and that the Fitz did not need as many sailors as it underwent repairs in Mississippi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1338\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitzgerald-sailors.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitzgerald-sailors.jpg.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitzgerald-sailors.jpg.jpg?resize=300,223 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitzgerald-sailors.jpg.jpg?resize=768,571 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitzgerald-sailors.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,761 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitzgerald-sailors.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1142 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Navy sent a team last fall to help crew members assess their needs and plot the next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of our people,\u201d spokesman Cmdr. William Speaks said in March. \u201cProviding the appropriate resources, including counseling for mental health needs, has been a top priority from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in the sailor\u2019s opinion, all that talk from on high didn\u2019t always trickle down to the waterfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBig Navy says they\u2019re helping and they put on a face and say things will change or X and Y will happen,\u201d he said. \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t and then it falls back to the ships and the ships say, \u2018We can\u2019t support\/doesn\u2019t fit the op tempo\u2019 \u2015 the same as it\u2019s always been in 7th Fleet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3024\" height=\"4032\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/babbitt-fitz-2.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/babbitt-fitz-2.jpg.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/babbitt-fitz-2.jpg.jpg?resize=225,300 225w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/babbitt-fitz-2.jpg.jpg?resize=768,1024 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/babbitt-fitz-2.jpg.jpg?resize=1152,1536 1152w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/babbitt-fitz-2.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,2048 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The destroyer Fitzgerald makes its way back to land after the June 17, 2017, collision with a merchant vessel that killed seven sailors. (Photo courtesy Sean Babbitt)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>\u2018I\u2019m a sailor\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the traumatic memories and the anxiety, the sailor said he can\u2019t wait to get out there again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was his first ship. A great crew and other good things outweighed the bad things, like BBQ beef cubes for dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Life in berthing was crowded, but they horsed around when off duty and watched \u201cPitch Perfect 2\u201d over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He learned that a good berthing life requires certain things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaking sure everyone showers up and does their laundry,\u201d he said. \u201cFebreze is a lifesaver.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what the sailor does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4680\" height=\"3343\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medal.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medal.jpg.jpg 4680w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medal.jpg.jpg?resize=300,214 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medal.jpg.jpg?resize=768,549 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medal.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,731 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medal.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1097 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medal.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1463 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4680px) 100vw, 4680px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">171020-N-VA840-034 \r\rYOKOSUKA, Japan (Oct. 20, 2017) Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, awards the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal to 36 crew members of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) who distinguished themselves for their bravery and contributions to damage control efforts after a collision with a merchant vessel on June 17, 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leonard Adams\/Released)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ll be a little nervous and might not sleep the same, but I\u2019m a sailor,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t join the Navy to sit on my ass. I joined to get out on the ocean and do my job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Babbitt was reassigned to a 7th Fleet staff position after he and the rest of the command triad were fired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He later received non-judicial punishment on a dereliction of duty charge and was transferred out of 7th Fleet in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Fitz\u2019s skipper, Cmdr. Bryce Benson, was sleeping when the ACX Crystal container ship plowed into his room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crew pried his door open and were greeted by the night sky as Benson hung off the ship\u2019s side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Navy plans to court-martial him on charges that include negligent homicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2017\/10\/23\/36-fitz-sailors-receive-navy-and-marine-corps-commendation-medal\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fitz-medals.JPG.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">36 Fitz sailors receive Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The sailors were recognized for their bravery after the destroyer&#039;s fatal June 17 collision.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Babbitt called the past year \u201cthe most difficult, agonizing, and rewarding in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBeing exposed to the aftermath of the collision every day in staff meetings and my job (I built a lot of briefs for the Admiral to give on post collision actions) was agonizing,\u201d he said in an email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, he was grateful to be in a position where he could try and aid his former crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-navy\/2017\/10\/23\/36-fitz-sailors-receive-navy-and-marine-corps-commendation-medal\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Thirty-six Fitz shipmates<\/a> received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in October after putting the ship before shipmate and self that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am immensely proud to have led them on that day and the weeks after, as we struggled to understand what happened,\u201d Babbitt said. \u201cI am also immensely proud of the crew for how they have handled the rough seas around them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One year after losing seven of their shipmates when the Fitz collided with a merchant vessel, some crew say they remain traumatized and wonder if they are ready to get underway 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