“Forever Loved, Never Forgotten”

The Navy Gold Star Program is eternally grateful for the sacrifice of those Service Members who have died in service to our country. To help us to never forget, we have set up this tribute page to honor and remember the memory of those lives. If you would like to honor the memory of your Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman through the Navy Gold Star website please submit your thoughts and a photo.

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.