The anonymous wife of a sailor aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln says she was not notified for four days after her husband reportedly went overboard on Aug. 3 and spent nearly an hour in the water before being rescued. She learned of the incident when a shipmate messaged her and later contacted the ship's ombudsman after she could not reach her husband. The sailor is undergoing a medical evaluation and is expected to return to San Diego; the account comes amid broader reports of supply, water and mental-health problems aboard the long-deployed carrier.
Wife Says Navy Waited Four Days To Inform Her About Husband’s Reported Suicide Attempt Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
Wife Says Navy Failed To Inform Her Of Sailor Husband's 'Suicide Attempt' For 4 Days
The anonymous wife of a sailor assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln says the Navy did not notify her for four days after her husband reportedly went overboard on Aug. 3. She told MS NOW she first learned of the incident when a friend of her husband messaged saying someone from his squadron had gone overboard.
"I think that it was handled very poorly because they didn't inform me and they didn't want me to know, and they're just trying to cover this up," the woman said.
According to the wife’s account, her husband spent nearly an hour in the water before being rescued. She said she was unable to reach him and contacted the ship's ombudsman for more information. MS NOW reviewed text messages that reportedly show the shipmate later identified the person in the water as her husband.
The sailor is now undergoing a medical evaluation and is expected to return to San Diego once cleared, the report said. The wife’s account comes amid several other reports alleging deteriorating conditions aboard the Lincoln during its extended deployment in the wake of the Iran conflict, including claims of food shortages, water quality problems and widespread mental-health concerns among crew members.
Separately, the Pacific-based carrier USS George Washington is reportedly en route to the Middle East. The Lincoln left San Diego on Nov. 21, 2025, and at one point reached a reported record of 240 consecutive days at sea during the conflict.
Support And Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental-health issues, in the United States call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Additional local crisis resources are available at dontcallthepolice.com. For international resources, see the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Note: This article reports the wife’s account and cited messages reviewed by MS NOW. Official Navy statements or investigative findings were not included in the report available to the reporter at the time of publication.
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