Stevens, Francis Walter Iii
Male
Verified Petty Officer Third Class Francis Walter Stevens III, 21, of Montrose, Michigan, was a U.S. Navy sailor assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 3. He died on December 9, 2018, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Their Story
Petty Officer Third Class Francis Walter Stevens III was a 21-year-old sailor from Montrose, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Navy as part of Coastal Riverine Squadron 3, a unit specializing in maritime security and force protection operations.
According to the U.S. Navy, Stevens died on December 9, 2018, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Department of Defense stated his death was the result of a non-combat incident and was under investigation. He was reportedly supporting Operation Inherent Resolve from the UAE, a major logistics and coordination hub for the coalition.
Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, began in August 2014. By late 2018, coalition and partner forces had recaptured most territory once held by ISIS, though clearing operations and counterinsurgency missions continued. The UAE hosted thousands of U.S. military personnel supporting air operations and regional logistics.
The Navy announced Stevens's death on December 11, 2018. His remains were returned to the United States. His death was one of several non-combat fatalities recorded by the U.S. military in the region that year during the operation.
Stevens was posthumously advanced in rank to Petty Officer Third Class. He is memorialized on veteran tribute websites and in local news reports from his home state of Michigan.
Explore Further
Francis Stevens was killed during Operation Inherent Resolve (ongoing since August 2014). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Villotcarrasco, Yeshabel, Spears, Jordan Lee, Walker, Jonathan Doyle, Neal, Sean Patrick.
