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.

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Navy Gold Star Tributes

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Darica Slaughter

12 Sep 2021

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Navy Brat and devoted Sailor.

Darica would attend grade school in Brownsburg, Indiana and Millington, TN. She was a member of the band, choir and would take up piano and tennis as hobbies. She graduated from Kadena High School in Okinawa, Japan in 2021; where she was a National Honor Society Member. She also played high school golf, worked part-time at Chilis and completed college courses on base with UMGC.

Darica, joined the military just 2 days after her 18th birthday. Darica, would go on to receive high marks during training making her a candidate for early advancement. Her, first and only duty station was NAS Sigonella, Italy before untimely death in September 2021.

Darica leaves behind a loving mother, father, grandmother and siblings who miss her dearly!

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PO3

James Bradley

30 Oct 2019

My son was an amazing son, brother and Uncle! He was always trying to help everyone. He was also a great friend!My son was an amazing son, brother and Uncle! He was always trying to help everyone. He was also a great friend!

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Brandon Thurber

10 Nov 2018

SN Brandon Thurber was born January 28th 2000 and lost his life on November 10th 2018. He grew up in Palm Bay, Fl . Brandon was a very selfless person. He joined the Navy Sea Cadet Program when he was 9 and spent his free time feeding homeless Veterans with our local National Homeless Veteran Services. He dreamed of being in the military and Navy Sea Cadets got him on the path of computers through the Cyber Patriots Program. He graduated high school through the early graduation program with high honors. He spent his 17th birthday at MEPS. He enjoy his short career as a Cryptologic Technician Receiver. Brandon looked forward to helping his little brother learn and explore computer and programming. When Brandon had free time he would spend it helping his little brother with karate / MMA, teaching him computers, watching the New England Patriots and cooking. Brandons loves were his brother, his homeless veterans and his motorcycle. Brandon was a Seaman in the United States Navy.

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PO2

Joshua Lipstein

15 Mar 2011

Joshua “Josh” Lipstein always wanted to serve in the military, says his father Don. A graduate of Mt. Pleasant high school in Delaware, Josh served in the JROTC. He joined the Navy in 2005 and became a Master at Arms in the Riverine Squadron in Iraq where he served for two deployments. "He was an easy person to love and to be around," said Don. “I can't imagine an easier child to raise." Josh, who was raised in Wilmington DE, loved nothing more than a crab feast and a cold beer. He loved participating and watching all sports – especially the Philadelphia Eagles. Josh is remembered by his wife, Leslie, his daughter, Jayden, his brother and sister, Andrew Lipstein and Emily Cheeseman, and his father, Don Lipstein. Josh’s mother, Melinda, is deceased.

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PO1

Benjamen Farrell

18 Jan 2005

Benjamen Farrell Worked on being a better person through his Catholic Faith and was “into” scouting, becoming an Eagle Scout. He was loyal to his family and friends, to a fault and enjoyed participating in choir, musicals, football, and track. Benjamen was generous with his time and talents, he helped build the grade school Christmas program manger, helped friends fix their cars, he would stop to assist stranded motorists, etc. He was resilient and made the most of the situations he was in, especially family situations where he was typically the only boy. He was protective of his younger sisters from the grade school playground to their adult boyfriends. He procrastinated to the point of making a task impossible to complete, but usually managed to complete the task when all others gave up hope. He wanted to make something of his life and chose the Navy to do that and he was building his life through the Navy. He enjoyed serving his country and he liked being in the Navy. He Liked being the spoiled only grandson and took advantage of it. He was a Star Wars and a video game junkie and had a passion for reading, especially The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, which he read 3 or 4 times. He always had the ability to make the people around him laugh, either with some goofy comment or using one of his many quotable sources. He loved his job and excelled at it. He enjoyed new experiences and was always up to trying anything. He had a beautiful smile, don’t forget the dimples.

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1st Lt.

Christopher Michael Troche

16 Feb 2018

Christopher “Chris” Troche grew up in Metuchen, NJ, where he graduated with honors from St. Joseph Catholic High School. He was Junior and Senior Class president and was in the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Chris excelled in academia, earning Magna Cum Laude, with a 4.5 GPA. A gifted athlete, Chris also excelled in track and field. He was a three-time Meet of Champion participant, placing 9th in the State in High Hurdles. One of Chris’ dreams was to fly and he would eventually fly for the Marines. He joined the Naval Sea Cadet Corps at the age of 10 and became one of the youngest Chief Petty Officers at the age of 15. He was awarded two Teddy Roosevelt Navy League Medals for being named League Cadet of the Year and Sea Cadet of the Year. He was recruited by the US Naval Academy as a track athlete and graduated from the Academy in 2015 before joining the Marines. “He was a quiet and happy individual who would smile and light up the room,” said his father. He is remembered by his father, Edgar “Ed” Troche and his sister, Kelly.

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Navy Gold Star Testimonials

Carol & Andrea

Mrs. Jackson, you're such a blessing. We don't feel forgotten after our loss anymore. We greatly appreciate the moral support you provided to us. Thank you very much for all you do. Carol & Andrea

Gold Star Dad

Thanks Sabrina for your greatful assistance in obtaining gold star pins for me and my family. We do appreciate your hard work in making this possible.

Judi and Pat, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.

We were very happy to see Gold Star Navy in the Resource Room at the Snowball Express in Dallas Texas. Rufus and Stephanie provided valuable information and also helped in the event. Thank you for being there for us.

Delrio Family

Thank you very much for everything Erick it was a pleasure to meet you in person, I hope that we are able to maintain communication with the Navy Gold Star program that represents so much satisfaction and happiness for us to unite with other families. Hugs

Gold Star Family

Susanna, thanks for all you do for the Gold Star Families. . .encouraging Dolores to submit a tribute for our son Rene was just another example of how you are always reaching out to care for and encourage family members to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.Thank you! Bill & Dolores

Gold Star Spouse, California

As a survivor of a military serviceman, I'm so pleased for all of you in supporting and caring for those who have lost their love ones like mine. Your kindness and cooperation is being appreciated.

KRIS ROMEO BISHUNDAT'S FAMILY

Patricia you are perfect for the job you do with the Gold Star Families. Talking to you over the phone felt like I have known you before and meeting you in person validate my feelings. After almost 14 years it means something special to meet other parents and families who have walked our path and the others who are now on that long painful journey our prayers are with all to find comfort.Gold Star Mom and Dad, Maryland

Gold Star Family

'This was a great experience for me. I am so glad I did it. I appreciate all of the work and coordination from everyone involved. Thanks for your program. It meant a lot to me and my husband. We were taken on a tour of the hanger, meet some of the men now in the squadron, and had a very nice time. Thank you very much Sandra.'