A&S Alumnus Among 2 Navy SEALs Deceased in Special Warfare Operation

This photo provided by the Department of Defense shows Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram. Ingram is one of the two SEALs who were lost at sea during a raid on a boat carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen. The two were lost in the roiling high seas off the coast of Somalia. The rescue mission was called off and the SEALs are considered deceased. Recovery efforts continue. (Department of Defense via AP)

Jenna McAlister | 01.26.2024

An outpouring of love and mourning has been shared across the Texas Tech community and across the nation in response to the loss of U.S. Navy SEAL and TTU graduate Nathan Gage Ingram. 

A native of Roanoke, Texas, Ingram began his military career following his graduation from the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management with a B.S. in Kinesiology at Texas Tech University, enlisting in September 2019. According to Navy Officials, Ingram served with West Coast-based SEAL units since graduating from SEAL qualification training in Coronado, Calif., in 2021. 

According to U.S. Central Command, in the late hours of Jan. 11, Ingram and fellow U.S. Navy SEAL Christopher J. Chambers, were assigned to a Naval Special Warfare unit given instruction to seize a vessel transporting advanced lethal weaponry from Iran to resupply Houthi forces in Yemen. As Ingram and Chambers attempted to board the ship, Chambers fell from the side of the vessel.

According to the Associated Press, Ingram, " jumped in to try to save him". The accident quickly turned to tragedy as both men, weighted by tactical gear and weapons, were engulfed by the towering waves "created between the vessel and the SEAL's combatant craft". Following a 10-day search, both men were pronounced deceased on Jan. 21. 

“We extend our condolences to Chris and Gage's families, friends and teammates during this incredibly challenging time,” Capt. Blake L. Chaney, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, said. “They were exceptional warriors, cherished teammates, and dear friends to many within the Naval Special Warfare community.”  

The loss has been strongly felt by the Texas Tech community, and those within the department in which he studied during his time in Lubbock.  

“Faculty members in kinesiology were saddened when learning about the valor of one of our graduates who, at a very young age, made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country,” said Angela Lumpkin, department chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Sports Management at Texas Tech University. “We extend to his family our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of their son.” 

The College of Arts & Sciences would like to express our sincerest sympathies to the friends and families of Ingram and Chambers. We extend our gratitude to those who have previously, or who are currently serving, for your unwavering bravery, sacrifice and dedication to the safety of our country.