USS Abraham Lincoln sailor suicide attempt: What we know about man facing Navy discipline charges after going overboard

The USS Abraham Lincoln sailor who allegedly attempted suicide while the aircraft carrier was operating in rough seas is now facing disciplinary charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The incident occurred on August 3, 2025, as the vessel was en route from San Diego. The sailor, whose identity remains undisclosed, was recovered by a search-and-rescue helicopter approximately an hour after going overboard.

Officials described the event as a mental health crisis and the sailor was subsequently medically evaluated and evacuated for further treatment. His wife, however, maintains that the incident was an attempted suicide. She first learned of her husband's predicament four days after the event. The sailor's wife, who is also 19 years old, shared that he had sought mental health support multiple times during the deployment, but her claims of dismissals were not substantiated by any official records.

The sailor reportedly expressed his concerns through texts to his wife, mentioning his intention to end his deployment prematurely. This wave of concerns came only two weeks before the alleged suicide attempt. The sailor's wife also alleged that requests for paternity leave and subsequent therapy appointments were repeatedly denied.

The Navy has been accused of denying the existence of any increase in suicidal thoughts or attempts during the mission, despite reports from some sailors that they attempted to go overboard. The sailor is being charged with violating Article 83 (malingering) and Article 86 (absence without leave) of the UCMJ.