ABHAN Joseph Min Naglak
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Hometown: West Windsor, NJ. Died: September 17, 2018. Age: 21. Unit: Navy - USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Joseph Min Naglak, age 21, died in service to our country on September 17, 2018 as a result of an accident on the flight deck of the USS George HW Busch (CVN 77) during flight operations while underway. The carrier was conducting pilot qualifications at the time. He had served aboard the Bush since completing training in Pensacola, Fla. after enlisting in the Navy in April 2017 in his hometown of West Windsor, N.J. “The loss of a shipmate is a heartbreaking experience for the crew of a Naval vessel and those aboard USS George H.W. Bush will mourn Naglak’s passing and remember him always for his devoted service and sacrifice to our Nation,” read a statement from Naval Air Force Atlantic. Born in South Korea, Joe was adopted in February of 1999 by his loving and devoted parents Kenneth M. Naglak and the late Jeanne Rand Naglak. Joe was a member of the 2015 graduating class at WWP - High School North where he lettered in varsity football. He also played basketball in the Town League. While in high school, Joe attended Mercer County Technical School for automotive restoration and after graduation went on to attend Monmouth University where he studied Homeland Security. In addition to his interests in sports and cars Joe enjoyed drawing and culinary arts. He was also an active and energetic volunteer with the Special Olympics. After joining the Navy, Joe met the person with whom he wanted to share his life and had been working with his fiancée Nicole Weber on planning their nuptials. Joe will be greatly missed, but forever remembered as one of the most loving and compassionate persons anyone could wish to have been able to call a son, grandson, brother, fiancé, and friend. In addition to his beloved and proud father Ken, Joe is survived by his ever devoted and loving sister Stephanie Naglak Garwood, his dear grandparents Louis and Catherine Naglak, and his step-mother Gina Daniels. He is also survived by his loving fiancée Nicole Weber, her parents, Amy and Travis Weber of Santa Barbara CA and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, Sailors, and friends. In a statement to NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, his sister Stephanie said of her brother Joe - "He wanted to join the Navy to give back to a country who gave him so much. He was everything that I hope to be one day and he should always be remembered as a hero with a big heart." |
Airman Apprentice Joseph Naglak with his sister, Stephanie. (Courtesy of Stephanie Blair Naglak)
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Joseph with his fiancée Nicole Weber.
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