On July 28, during a routine training exercise in the Timor Sea north of Australia, a young Navy sailor disappeared from the USS George Washington. Now, his father is speaking publicly for the first time, sharing memories of a son whose passion, humility, and dedication left a mark on everyone he met.

The missing sailor, Airman Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV, served as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch/Recovery Equipment) aboard the aircraft carrier. Just 20 years old, Rivera Lynch had enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 2024, and joined the George Washington in January.

For his father, Jose Rivera III, the loss is incomprehensible—but his pride in his son’s service and character remains deeply evident.

“We talked just 12 hours before he went missing,” Rivera shared in an interview with Virginia’s WVEC-TV. “It was a great conversation. We always ended it the same way: ‘We’re so proud of you. You’ve done what none of the Riveras ever have. Look at you.’”

To those who knew him, Rivera Lynch was more than a sailor—he was a light. “He was the kind of person that people just loved being around,” his father said. “So likeable, very humble, always helpful.”

The Navy first reported a “possible sailor overboard” on July 28. Rivera Lynch was last seen aboard the USS George Washington, which was taking part in Talisman Sabre 25, a joint multinational exercise led by Australia and the United States. His disappearance triggered an immediate search-and-rescue effort, involving Navy helicopters, ships, and support from Australian Defence and Border Forces.

The search spanned over 45 hours, covering more than 2,200 square miles of ocean. But on July 30, after exhaustive efforts, the Navy made the difficult decision to suspend the search.

“I’ll forever be grateful that they did their due diligence,” Rivera said. “They searched every wave, every rock. They couldn’t recover him, but the effort was there—and I commend them for that.”

The George Washington had only recently resumed patrols after returning to Japan in November 2024. For Rivera Lynch, this was the beginning of a new chapter—one that, tragically, ended far too soon.

As his family mourns, they hold tightly to the memory of a young man whose warmth, humility, and service touched many. He may have been lost at sea, but his spirit endures—in the stories told, the lives he touched, and the love of a proud father who will never forget him.