Missing Norfolk-based sailor 'wanted to serve'

NORFOLK

Theophilus Kwaku Ansong spent the first 18 years of his life in Ghana but signed up to serve his new country soon after arriving in the United States, his parents said. It was all he ever wanted to do.

His uncle had been in the Ghanaian military and "ever since he came to this country, he wanted to join the force," said his father, Nelson Ansong.

He joined the Navy because "he loved the sea," said his mother, Charity Ohenewah.

Petty Officer 1st Class Ansong, an engineman, disappeared in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday after an accident aboard the Norfolk-based amphibious transport dock San Antonio.

Ansong, 34, of Bristol, ended up in the water when crews attempted to lower an 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat into the water, according to a Navy news release.

The tending line and inflatable boat crane cable became entangled, and the boat flipped over, throwing three sailors into the water.

Two were recovered uninjured. After a more than 24-hour search, Ansong was not found, the Navy said. All that was recovered was his jacket, Nelson Ansong said.

At the time of the accident, the boat was preparing to conduct routine personnel transfers to another U.S. ship in the gulf. The accident is under investigation.

Ansong, the oldest of five, has been a mentor to his younger brothers, his mother said.

"He'd give them advice to stay in school, be good kids," Ohenewah said.

Ansong had plans to start up his own engineering company when he got out of the military, his father said.

"He just wanted to serve his country and come out and do something of his own," he said.

Prior to serving aboard the San Antonio, Ansong served at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic, at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. He was also previously stationed in Ingleside, Texas, and in Great Lakes, Ill.

Some of his awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Alicia Wittmeyer, (757) 222-5216, alicia.wittmeyer@pilotonline.com