Maryland governor orders flags at half-staff to honor fallen Navy SEAL and Maryland native

Governor Wes Moore ordered the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-staff Saturday, in honor of the life of Special Operator First Class Christopher J. Chambers.

Chambers was one of two Navy SEALs who died during an operation near Somalia on Jan. 11.

Chambers, 37, of Maryland, enlisted in the Navy in 2012 and graduated from SEAL training in 2014. His awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “C” and three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Ingram, 27, of Texas, enlisted in 2019 and graduated from SEAL training in 2021.

During the mission on Jan. 11, officials say Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram began climbing the ladder onto the boat, he slipped, falling into a gap the waves had created between the vessel and the SEALs' combatant craft.

As he went under, Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers jumped into the gap to try to save him, according to U.S. officials familiar with the incident.

The 11-day search and rescue mission to locate the two SEALs was called off on Sunday and became a recovery effort.

The flag will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Chambers’ memorial.