The Virginian-Pilot
©
PORTSMOUTH
Friends and colleagues will gather today at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center to remember a Navy corpsman who died while deployed on a humanitarian mission with the hospital ship Comfort.
Chief Petty Officer Pamela Branum, 41, served in Pensacola, Fla.; Guam, and, most recently, in Portsmouth.
She died June 2, in her sleep, aboard the Comfort. Her shipmates learned later that she had been promoted to senior chief that same day.
The investigation into her death is ongoing, but it appears to be natural causes, a Navy spokesman said. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery after the Comfort returns.
The executive officer of the Comfort, Capt. John Larnerd, posted news of Branum's death on his blog last week. Larnerd said Branum was responsible for managing staff rotations, a major job on a ship with more than 500 personnel.
"Working just a few feet outside my office door, I saw her every day and was always impressed by her competence, her work ethic and her dedication to this important mission," Larnerd wrote. "She will be greatly missed."
He described the departure of her flag-draped casket, loaded onto a helicopter and flown off the ship in Panama. "As the helicopter's blades began to turn, two bells sounded and on the [intercom]: 'Hospital Corpsman Chief, Departing,' rang throughout the ship," Larnerd wrote on his blog.
More than 50 people, many of them current or former shipmates, left tributes on the site.
Her father, Larry T. Branum, posted one, too:
"Pam never quite felt like she was truly making a difference. She would say 'Just doing my job, and I love my job.' Obviously, those of you who knew her (many of whom I have met) know that she did indeed make a difference in many lives over the years. I think she had a much greater impact than she ever realized," he wrote.
He finished the tribute with a traditional naval phrase, used at retirements and promotions: "Fair winds and following seas, baby girl."
Kate Wiltrout, (757) 446-2629, kate.wiltrout@pilotonline.com
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I went to FMFS school with
I went to FMFS school with Pam as well as worked with her at Naval Hospital Camp Pendelton. Her life was the Navy and at every job she had she gave it 120% and then some. She was an inspiration to me having stayed in the Navy for 23 years and achieving Senior Chief Petty officer. I will miss hearing about what she is doing and where she is going. Most of I will miss a bond of friendship that is gone forever. Terri Harrington-Boleman
Disappointment with post
I am somewhat taken back with the comments posted by an individual here. To that individual - you have the luxury of making a statement like that, without actually knowing Senior Chief Branum. To imply that the unfortunate passing of one of my best friends is anything other that what has been reported at this point, is wrong and distasteful. While you are entitled to your free speech, I believe that it's wrong to post that sort of negativity in this forum, where people who knew her and loved her - would prefer to post gestures of love and sympathy. Senior Chief Branum has spent the past 23 years protecting your freedoms (free speech being one)and did so without ever asking a thing of anyone and did it without reservation. Shame on you.
Posthumously Advanced to HMCS
Surely the Navy will advance her to HMCS posthumously and have her service record report the same? God Bless you, HMCS, as you report to the Supreme Commander.
Adios Senior Chief
It will be hard to fill Senior Chief's shoes. Adios from a follow Senior Chief.
Her dad couldn't have said it better
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.