A Navy sailor stationed in Hawaii has died while heroically rescuing his two sons from dangerous surf. Authorities report that 47-year-old Jeffrey Diaz, from Florida, was swimming with his children in Waiapua’a Bay, part of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, when a strong wave swept the younger boy away from shore.
According to CBS News, Diaz instructed his older son to swim back to safety while he went after the younger boy. Diaz’s wife, Keyonna Fairley, said her husband reached his son and told him to climb onto his back. After a time, Diaz realized he could not continue and told the boy to get off, Fairley told HawaiiNewsNow.
Fairley shared the heartbreaking final words her son heard from his father: “I’m going to drown. I want you to go. I want you to swim. Don’t stop. You got this. Don’t give up. I love you.” The boy made it safely back to shore. First responders pulled Diaz from the water, but he could not be revived.
The Navy confirmed that Diaz had reported to PMRF in October and that this deployment was to be his last before retirement, according to the Military Times. PMRF commander Capt. Robert Prince released a statement: “We are heartbroken by the passing of our shipman and friend, MA1 First Class Jeffrey Diaz, and extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and shipmen who are grieving.”