Update: Sailor missing in Middle East is from West Seattle

ORIGINAL 10:05 AM REPORT: The missing sailor who is the subject of a search in Afghanistan, and may be a hostage, is from West Seattle, according to our partners at the Seattle Times. They are not identifying him at the request of the Navy, and they say his family is declining comment. He disappeared along with another sailor whose body has been found; that sailor has been identified as the son of the fire marshal in the Southern California town of Encinitas. According to the Times report, at least one member of the U.S. military has been held by the Taliban for more than a year, and he too is from the Northwest, a soldier from Idaho. 2:11 PM UPDATE: The Times has updated its story with word that the Department of Defense identifies the sailor as Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove. His family has declined media requests for comment. Here’s the DOD announcement; while they say he’s from Renton, various reports/sources indicate the West Seattle link. 3:06 PM UPDATE: Online records indicate that PO3 Newlove is a Chief Sealth High School graduate, class of 2003.

GenHillOne July 27, 2010 (10:13 am)

Anyone else think it’s a little irresponsible for the Times to report this? 1) without a name, anyone with family or friend in the Navy there is going to be worried sick and 2) in this wired (and ever-smaller) world, his identity will eventually leak out and if it is truly a matter of his safety, then it could put him in danger. The benefits don’t seem to outweigh the risks for me.

Kelly July 27, 2010 (10:22 am)

Wishing him a speedy return to safety.

John July 27, 2010 (10:38 am)

The military notifies family members immediately. No need to worry if they haven’t contacted you.

bsmomma July 27, 2010 (11:13 am)

Lots and Lots of prayers are going out to this family as well for all the other’s who are there and have family there.

MB July 27, 2010 (1:57 pm)

Please West Seattle, just pray (or whatever it is you personally do) that he comes home safe to his family.

Tiara Johnson Andress July 27, 2010 (2:04 pm)

Komo just released his name, turns out he’s actually from Renton but purchased a house in west seattle in recent years. Prayers for safe and speedy return!

WSB July 27, 2010 (2:40 pm)

The DOD released his name and we have it in the story. It is clear from several publicly verifiable (independent of other media reports) stories that the WS identification is bonafide.

John July 27, 2010 (2:45 pm)

I went to highschool with him; played high school baseball with him. He was definitely from West Seattle. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

MB July 27, 2010 (3:02 pm)

He’s a West Seattle native. Send strength to his wife and children, as well as his many family and friends in our home town.

WSB July 27, 2010 (3:08 pm)

Chief Sealth class of 2003, online records indicate, which I’ve added to the story. Thank you.

Thadeus July 27, 2010 (3:12 pm)

He’s been in west seattle for many years. The family and friends thank you for the support.

WSB July 27, 2010 (3:15 pm)

Thadeus, for what it’s worth, we have no intention ourselves of going and knocking on family members’ doors. If anyone is interested in sharing well-wishes here, that’s great, and that’s what the comment section is for. – TR

miws July 27, 2010 (4:46 pm)

Sending good thoughts that Jarod makes it home safely.

Mike

Shannon July 27, 2010 (4:53 pm)

He is an awesome person with a wonderful family. He is very strong and I KNOW he will get thru this! Im sure he is in all of West Seattle’s thoughts and prayers along with his family. We love you Jarod !

jw July 27, 2010 (7:03 pm)

Holdfast young sailor, holdfast.

MsEvelyn July 27, 2010 (7:29 pm)

I hope that this young man makes it home soon. My heart goes out to his family and friends. It is so hard to understand why this war is even still on. Make it home Jarod!

Cheri July 27, 2010 (10:16 pm)

I graduated from Sealth with him in 2003. My family is praying for his safe return.

Betsy July 28, 2010 (8:10 am)

My heart and prayers go out to the family. Jarod, come home safe! let the community know if there is anything we can do. somehow. not sure how we can know, but anyway, let us know.

charlabob July 28, 2010 (12:49 pm)

Our best wishes and support go to the sailor and to his family. The people who know him and his family personally can get in touch with them directly and let us know if anything can help.

As someone who has been in a similar situation, long ago, I can say don’t assume they don’t want to hear from YOU if you know them in real life. “Leave us alone, please,” usually, but not always, applies to well-meaning strangers. Direct contact from real-life friends and acquaintances means a lot.

Baba July 28, 2010 (5:53 pm)

I don’t mean any disrespect to the family of the captured soldier, this is indeed the worst thing that can probably happen to any parent. But don’t you think that by creating so much media attention about this common war zone epizode, we all are helping Taliban and other terrorists? Attention is all they want and I’m afraid that we are giving plenty of it to them. Call it what you want but whatever THEY are doing is working, because the opposition in the USA to this neverending “war on terror” is growing every day.
My prayers go to the soldiers family.

jake s July 29, 2010 (6:17 am)

I meet Jarod a number of years ago through a mutual friend, along with his older brother, who I was more of a friend with. Jarod was a fun, cool kid, and I know will be missed by many around here in West Seattle, and many other places. My deepest sympathies to the Newlove family. Rest in peace bro.!!

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