Sailor Assigned to Navy Fast-Attack Submarine Dies by Apparent Suicide

A 23-year-old sailor died Monday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound while on duty at a Hawaii shipyard.

Torpedoman's Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer Manuel H. Julian Jr., of California, died at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Navy officials announced Wednesday. Julian was assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine Charlotte, which is moored at the shipyard while it undergoes maintenance.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the submariner's death.

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"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Shipmate," a Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, statement says. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sailor’s family, friends and shipmates."

Resources have been made available to support the Charlotte's crew and families, officials added. That includes a chaplain, Fleet and Family Service Center counselors, the command ombudsman, and mental health-care teams.

"Every member of our Navy team is important; this is a painful time for our local community and the U.S. Navy," the statement says.

Julian joined the Navy in 2016. The fast-attack sub has been at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard since April 2019.

A 22-year-old sailor assigned to the fast-attack submarine Columbia shot and killed two Defense Department employees and injured a third person at the same shipyard in 2019. The sailor shot and killed himself using a Navy-issued M9 pistol as law enforcement officials responded.

Three sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush died by suicide in 2019 while that ship was undergoing maintenance in Virginia. The carrier's commanding officer held an all-hands meeting to get suggestions on how to combat the problem and stressed that seeking help would not harm sailors' careers.

Editor's Note: If you or someone you know needs help, the Veterans Crisis Line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-273-8255, press 1. Services also are available online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or by text, 838255.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: 'Everybody's Overworked:' String of Suicides Raises Questions About Sailors' Stress Levels