Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Sailor Faces Punishment After Suicide Attempt Aboard USS Lincoln
A sailor on the USS Abraham Lincoln warship jumped overboard on August 3 in what was reported as a suicide attempt.
He was rescued, medically evacuated, and sent back to the United States 10 days later.
The sailor reportedly felt stressed because the ship’s deployment was extended.
He had also been repeatedly denied paternity leave after his wife gave birth in February.
The report says he is accused of hurting himself to avoid service.
He is also accused of being absent without permission.
A commanding officer may decide his punishment, which could include losing half his normal pay.
Representative Sara Jacobs said sailors should receive mental-health support instead of punishment.
The ship is expected to briefly stop in Thailand before returning to the United States.
A sailor aboard USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide by jumping overboard on August 3.
The sailor was medically evacuated and returned to the United States 10 days later.
The report attributed his distress to an extended deployment and repeated denials of paternity leave.
He faces accusations of intentionally injuring himself to avoid service and being absent without leave.
Representative Sara Jacobs urged the Navy not to punish personnel for mental-health issues, while the ship is scheduled to stop in Thailand before returning to the United States.
- Who
- A sailor aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, the United States Navy, Representative Sara Jacobs, President Donald Trump, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
- What
- A sailor attempted suicide by jumping from the ship and now faces accusations of intentionally injuring himself to avoid service and being absent without leave.
- When
- The jump occurred on August 3; the sailor returned to the United States 10 days later. The ship has been at sea since November last year and is expected to stop in Thailand next week.
- Where
- Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln; the sailor was later medically evacuated and returned to the United States. The ship is scheduled to visit Thailand.
- Why
- The report said the sailor was distressed by an extended deployment and repeated denials of paternity leave.
Mental-Health Support
Military Discipline
Whether punishment is appropriate
Mental-Health Support
Representative Sara Jacobs said no one should be punished for mental-health issues and called for the Navy to provide sailors with needed support.
Military Discipline
The sailor has reportedly been accused of intentionally hurting himself to avoid service and being absent without leave; a commanding officer may determine punishment.
Conditions aboard the ship
Mental-Health Support
The report cited concerns about prolonged deployment, long shifts, limited time off, and shortages of food, toothpaste, and soap as pressures affecting sailors.
Military Discipline
President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have dismissed concerns about living conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.
- Ship
- USS Abraham Lincoln
- Reported incident
- A sailor jumped from the ship on August 3 in an attempted suicide.
- Medical evacuation
- The sailor was sent back to the United States 10 days after the incident.
- Reported stressors
- An extended deployment and repeated denials of paternity leave.
- Reported charges
- Intentionally injuring himself to avoid service and absence without leave.
- Potential punishment
- The sailor could reportedly lose half his normal pay.
- Planned stop
- USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to make a brief stop in Thailand before returning to the United States.