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Navy Gold Star Program Information & Resource Site

Navy Gold Star is the Navy’s official program for providing long-term support to surviving families of Sailors who pass while on Active Duty. If you are visiting this page because you are a surviving family member of a deceased service member, please accept our most heartfelt sympathy and gratitude for your loved one’s service and sacrifice in defending our nation . . .

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Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

Navy Gold Star Coordinators provide support to families around the world. Find a coordinator near you.

Navy Gold Star Tributes


U.S. Navy
PO2
Lennin G. Parra
11 Oct 2021

Lennin was born September 19, 1993, in Santa Barbara, California. From the moment he was born he was a loving and kind person. He was my best friend and only son.

After graduating high school, Lennin found the passion to serve this great country and joined the US Navy in November 2013. He worked as an Aircraft Mechanic stationed at Edwards Air Force Base and later Naval Air Station Lemoore.

We were devastated with the sad news in June 2020 when Lenin called from a hospital in Lemoore to tell me he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Sarcoma. He was relieved from his duties and moved home to Washington State to begin treatment. Throughout chemotherapy and surgeries, he never complained of “why him” and why of this terminal illness. He remained positive about the treatment process until the end. He ultimately succumbed to his illness on October 11, 2021.

I was present when he came out of his mother's womb and took his very first breath, and I was also there by his bedside when he took his last one.  He was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery with military honors.

 “Until We Meet Again My Beloved Son.”

Written by:  Javier Parra (father)

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U.S. Navy
PO2
Terrance Hill
04 Jan 2013
Petty Officer Terrence Maurice Hill was very loving and kind. He would work holiday shifts for his coworkers that had wives and children so that they could have that time off. He cared how people felt even those he didn’t know. He volunteered for Toys for kids. He also was an artist and designed coins for the gift shop on his base in Great Lakes, IL. Terrence presence is hugely missed by many but especially me his mom and his younger brother Dantez. R.I.H son we’ll always push for justice for you. Love mommy,
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U.S. Navy
LCDR
Louis H. Balot, III
06 Apr 2013

Louis started his career on April 1, 1983, as an enlisted sailor, selected Officer in 1998, plank owner of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (2 tours), loved the Navy and so proud to serve (30 years, and passed 5 days later.  He was an Officer and Gentleman in all ways. Everyone wanted to be like him. Loved and missed by everyone!

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U.S. Navy
Lieutenant
Joshua Drablos
21 Jun 2019

Lieutenant Joshua Drablos, USN, of Forest, VA was killed in a plane crash in Hawaii on June 21, 2019.  Josh was born in Montgomery, Alabama on December 28, 1991.  He attended high school in Forest, VA where he was a state champion pole vaulter.  Josh graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2015 and was a member of the Men’s Track and Field team.  Josh commissioned an Ensign, selecting NFO, later transferring as an Information Professional.

LT Drablos reported November 2018 and began contributing to Fleet Cyber Command's mission in support of U.S. INDOPACOM, helping to align defensive lines of effort to theater priorities. A plank owner, LT Drablos held several roles within Fleet Cyber Command's Task Force – Pacific while the new organization defined itself as the coordinator and synchronizing element for all Cyber operations within the INDOPACOM AOR.  He assumed the role of Future Operations Officer for Defensive Cyber Operations, conducting planning of operations for over 700 cyber warriors in one of the Department of Defense's largest theaters of operations. 

Fearless, Josh loved adventure.  When he wasn’t working on or riding his jet ski, he was in the water on his boat or kite board, hiking, sky diving, or building furniture out of pallets.  Josh didn’t have an “off” button and was in constant motion, full of ideas and making plans for the next adventure.

He is survived by his parent’s, Dave and Gaynor Drablos and siblings Captain Jonathan Drablos, USMC, Katherine Anderson (Spencer) and Anne Marie Drablos (Paul).

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U.S. Navy
GSE2
Maurice Busey
18 Apr 2011

Maurice Busey, was more than a sailor and U.S. Navy Gas Turbine Engineer, he was a father, husband, brother, son and grandson. He was a friend and confidant who took those roles seriously whenever or however he could someone he would not matter how big or how small and no matter if it were day or night. Just like he was on call for his job he was on call for his family and friends and that gave him a sense of pride and purpose. He loved his family, his daughter was his world he absolutely adored her and it meant the world to him to be able to make her proud of him and he spent every moment possible leaving behind for her a positive legacy of love and humanitarianism.

There aren’t enough words in the English language or dictionary to adequately describe the kind of man and person Maurice was. The only words that would be suffice are loyal, trustworthy, compassionate, intelligent, and inspiring just to state a few.  Maurice was the kind of man who led my example and would not ask someone to do something that he would not do himself, he was the kind of guy you meet once in a lifetime truly a treasure and a blessing to all he came into contact with. Being able to share time and space with him was something out of fairytale book or movie, it was so amazing I was so honored to not only be his wife but his friend. Even though his journey has ended the jewels of knowledge he left behind and our very own precious jewel (our daughter) will forever be a reminder of this great man and his legacy of love, laughter, and hope.

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Navy Gold Star Testimonials