A 44-year-old US Navy Commander was found dead aboard the littoral combat ship USS Marinette in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 27, 2023.
Jonathan Michael Volkle’s unexpected passing has been reported as a suicide, marking a concerning trend within the Navy’s ranks.
He was found unresponsive aboard the USS Marinette and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The ship had been moored in Cleveland, Ohio, and was en route to its homeport in Mayport, Florida.
Lieutenant Commander David Carter, a command spokesman, emphasized that the incident is under thorough investigation.
Commander Volkle had a good career, having enlisted in the Navy in 2007. He rose through the ranks to hold several key positions on various ships, including the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman. He also commanded the Avenger-class mine countermeasure ship USS Patriot. An expert in Japanese-American relations, he was fluent in Japanese.
His service ashore included roles at Naval Surface Force Pacific, Destroyer Squadron 15 in Japan, and Littoral Combat Squadron 2. Volkle was honored for his distinguished service with a pair of Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, one Meritorious Service Medal, and a trio of Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals.
The incident, which is still under investigation, comes amid a troubling rise in suicides in the Navy. Last year, the Navy reported 71 suicides, the highest number since 2019, when there were 74. These figures suggest a significant challenge in addressing mental health and suicide prevention in the Navy. The Department of Defense’s Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for 2022 revealed a 3% increase in suicide rates per 100,000 service members from the previous year across all services. This increase underscores a gradual but steady rise in suicide rates in the military from 2011 to 2022.
Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Volkle leaves behind his wife, Kaori Kato Volkle, his sons, Bruno and Nino, and his parents, Skip Volkle and Louise Volkle.
