Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

Scott W. Shaw was born in Norwood, MA, and grew up in Bourne, MA. He joined the Navy in 1994 and became a Navy Diver. "He was a protector of the vulnerable," says his father, " he would often put bullies in their place.” Scott was an avid snowboarder and hunter and loved anything to do with water. His father remembers a time when Scott was hunting: “He was wearing a ghillie suit (suit of camouflage) he made himself,” said his father. “He went into a field and laid down and fell asleep. He woke up and was surrounded by deer. He jumped up and they all ran away.” Scott is remembered by his wife, Tanya, his children, Shaina, Justine, and Jeremiah, his brother, Kevin, his mother Carol Renaccio, and his father Al Shaw. “We love you Scott and Miss you every Day.”

Jesse Melton III was raised in Randallstown, MD. He attended Randallstown High School graduating with honors in 1996. He attended Messiah College, PA fall of 1996. Jesse was a Christian whose mindset was God first.  He was active in the youth group at Colonial Baptist Church, where he displayed early, his ability to lead.

Jesse enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves, 05/19/1997 after his freshman year at Messiah. After his junior year, he completed OCS. Upon graduation with a B.A. in Communications, June 2000; he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He believed a good officer must lead by example. He stated, “I want the Marines on my team to follow me out of admiration, not obligation,” Jesse was promoted to Captain prior to Iraqi deployment in 2005. Upon return to the U.S., he attended and graduated from EWS.

He was assigned to the 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and III Marine Expeditionary Force Okinawa, Japan. Before deployment to Afghanistan, Melton told his mother “I want to go change the world and make a difference, to do something that will bring God Glory." He served about six months in Afghanistan before being KIA 09/09/2008 with three team members by an IED. He was off duty but agreed to substitute for a fellow Marine; whose daughter was born two days later.

Veteran of:U. S. Navy 1998-2008War on Terrorism 2001-2008Kosovo 2001-2002Afghanistan 2001-2008 (Multiple Deployments)Iraq 2003-2008 (Multiple Deployments, KIA)Michael completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois in September 1998 and then completed Operations Specialist Training at Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlanta, at Dam Neck, Virginia from September to December 1998. He attended Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal training at NAB Coronado California from January to August 1999, followed by Basic Airborne training at Fort Benning Georgia in September and October 1999. His first assignment was with Seal Team Eight at NAB Little Creek, Virginia from October 1999 to October 2001, and then the Naval Special Warfare Unit Two and Ten from 2001 through 2004, followed by service with Navel Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, VA from April 2004 until he was killed in action in Iraq on February 4, 2008. On February 4, 2008, the U.S. Navy Seals decided to pay a particular group of terrorists a house call. The area was under heavy fire from both sides. Small mini bombs were dropped to limit destruction and minimize collateral damage. The building the terrorist were in was slightly damaged and helicopters hovered and spun covering the area as the assault team prepared to make entry. Automatic weapons fire was heard from all directions. A canine, trained to detect humans in hiding was sent inside. He showed a negative response. Intelligence indicated there were still suspects inside and the canine was dispatched again. The explosions mixed with the swirling air from the rotor blades never allowed for the air to settle and once more he returned with a negative response. Entry was made to clear the building. The first man through the door was killed with a precision shot to the head by a terrorist in hiding. The constant air movement and heavy odors from explosions had been too much for the dog’s sensitive scent. The second man through the door was shot twice and died quickly from his wounds. The assault team fought their way in and recovered their brothers, stepped back and called in a round of precision bombing. Within minutes the building was leveled, no survivors, no prisoners. The first man through the door was Michael Koch the second was his partner and friend Nate Hardy. They were Seals, part of a very special brotherhood. They were men with families, brothers and sisters, Fathers and …Mothers. Michael earned various Medals throughout his career to include two Bronze Star Medals w/Valor. Michael was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honoring Evan’s Military Life. We honor Evan for his courage, dedication, and selfless service. He answered the call with strength and integrity, serving something greater than himself. His legacy lives on in the freedom he helped protect and in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He will never be forgotten.

Wyatt Austin Cypert, age 30 passed away August 31, 2024, in Chania, Greece while on deployment with the U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN NINE serving as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate Third Class. He was stationed at Naval Station Rota, since May 2022. Prior to that he was stationed at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California. Wyatt was a 2013 graduate of Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Arkansas where he competed on the track and swim teams. Wyatt had a big heart and a deep love for his family and friends, and he loved to make people happy, and he loved to make them laugh. He enjoyed traveling, running, biking, and had become an accomplished scuba diver while being stationed and living on the beach in Rota, Spain. We cannot forget his moustache, impeccable, A1 grade, meticulously groomed, and kept to the highest of Naval Sailor moustache standards!

John Ellsworth Hasselbrink died while stationed at Pearl Harbor Naval Base and serving aboard the fast attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786). John E had served in the US Navy for over 21 years, the majority of time aboard fast-attack submarines, and was approaching retirement as Chief.

He was on the swim team in high school and won several medals during inter-high school competitions. He had also competed in the Hawaiian Marathon several times. He was awarded the Navy & Marine Corp Commendation Medal by the Navy, among other citations.

Other commands that he had served on were;

USS Topeka (SSN 754) deployed to the International Date Line at the millennium,

USS Columbus (SSN 762) Order of Shellbacks

USS Santa Fe (SSN 763)

COMSUBRON ONE