A member of the Naval Special Warfare community, or a Navy SEAL passed away on Saturday morning following the crash of his parachute, which occurred while he was heading a skydiving exercise intended for the military parachute training of the other operatives in Central Florida, according to a report released by Daily Mail.
Petty Officer 1st Class William Blake Marston fell some 60 feet while he was conducting a demonstration for other officers in a group. The 31-year-old Navy SEAL said to have landed on the grounds of the airport in DeLand, Florida, where first responders found him unconscious and diagnosed with broken legs.
Although Marston was immediately given medical assistance and was rushed to the nearest hospital, the doctors declared that the officer had succumbed to the injuries he incurred from the parachute crash.
According to those who witnessed Marston's tragic fall, an unidentified object flew off the Navy SEAL's parachute that caused him to lose balance and go on free fall.
"The entire Naval Special Warfare community extends our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of our teammate, Blake," shared Lt. David Lloyd, spokesman for the Naval Special Warfare Group Two, in a statement. "He will be missed by all who knew him," he added.
According to Marston's family, their son died "doing what he loved most: being a SEAL." In a statement given to Fox in Boston, the members of the Navy SEAL's family shared that "his beautiful smile, loyalty, steadfast motivation and determination will forever be missed." Moreover, they described the New Hampshire native as the "the kind of guy you'd want your children to be around."
"Blake Marston represented the very best of New Hampshire's long tradition of service, dedicating himself to protect his fellow citizens and defending the enduring concept of freedom that is our very core," shared Gov. Maggie Hassan in an interview.
Meanwhile, the Navy SEAL was commended by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen as someone who exhibited "incredible commitment to his fellow service members, the state of New Hampshire and our country."
Another political personality, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, described the Navy SEAL as "a patriot who served our nation with honor and courage", while Rep. Annie Kuster praised the service rendered by Marston as "an inspiration."
Marston completed his high school education at Derryfield School in Manchester in 2001. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice in Stonehill College and graduated from the academic institution in 2007. The Navy SEAL is survived by Nancy and Bill Marston, his parents, as well as Chris, Emily, and Jeffrey Marston, his siblings.
