Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed eight suicide attempts among sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group during a deployment of nearly 300 days. The figure covers crew from the carrier, its air wing, escorting destroyers and supporting staffs; no deaths were reported and one sailor who went overboard was rescued. Cao outlined the mental-health resources aboard the carrier, while political leaders disputed earlier media coverage and called for better care for service members.
Revelation: Eight Sailors Attempted Suicide During Nearly 300-Day USS Abraham Lincoln Deployment
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Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed that eight sailors across the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group attempted suicide during a deployment that lasted nearly 300 days, a disclosure that has intensified scrutiny of conditions aboard the carrier and its escorts.
The Lincoln is thought to have flown thousands of sorties as part of the war. / Chalinee Thirasupa / REUTERS
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and a flotilla of escort ships formed the core of a U.S. strike force assigned to operations tied to tensions with Iran and the counter-blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 6,000–7,000 sailors were deployed across about six ships in the strike group.
Hegseth previously said the press had misrepresented the issue. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
What the Navy Confirmed
In a letter obtained by CNN and sent to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Cao wrote that "since the beginning of Lincoln's deployment, there have been a total of eight suicide attempts across the strike group." He clarified that the number includes crew from the carrier itself, the carrier air wing, strike group and destroyer squadron staffs, escorting destroyers, and all embarked aviation squadrons.
An excerpt from Cao's letter to Congress. / The Navy
“Since the beginning of Lincoln's deployment, there have been a total of eight suicide attempts across the strike group,” Cao wrote.
The Navy reported no deaths during the deployment. Officials said one sailor went overboard in August and was quickly rescued, and another was stopped by shipmates during a separate attempt and received immediate medical care before returning to homeport.
Cao admitted that eight had tried to take their own lives. / Elizabeth Frantz / REUTERS
Mental Health and Resources Onboard
Cao described the mental health resources deployed with the carrier: five chaplains, one embedded integrated prevention counselor, one psychologist, one clinical social worker, three behavioral health technicians, and one expeditionary facility dog. The letter indicates the Navy provided on-board behavioral and pastoral support throughout the mission.
The Lincoln docked in Thailand before heading home. / Chalinee Thirasupa / REUTERS
- Deployment Mental-Health Staff: Chaplains, counselor, psychologist, social worker, behavioral technicians, facility dog
- Immediate medical care was provided to sailors involved in attempts; no fatalities were reported
Context and Reaction
CNN reported that the strike group's suicide-attempt rate during this deployment is roughly consistent with broader Navy data for 2024: of about 337,000 service members, there were 356 recorded suicide attempts. For context, NavyHR reported 68 suicides in 2023 and 71 in 2022.
Before the Navy confirmed the attempts, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said media reporting had "completely misrepresented" conditions aboard the ship, asserting that leadership had provided necessary support. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand criticized that assessment, saying the initial dismissals downplayed serious and deteriorating conditions for service members and calling for better care for troops and families.
Support and Resources
If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988. Immediate help is available 24/7.
The Daily Beast and other outlets have reached out to the Navy for additional comment.
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