CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on the passing of Electronics Technician 3^rd Class Kenneth Smith – age 22 of Cherry Hill, New Jersey – who was one of the sailors on the U.S. Navy destroyer USS John S. McCain when it collided with an oil tanker this week:

“Kenneth Smith is an American hero – and both New Jersey and our country lost a great young man this week.

“Kenneth sacrificed so much so that all of us could be safe and our community thanks him for his service as we mourn this terrible loss.

“Former Cherry Hill classmates say Kenneth was smart, patriotic and always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Navy. As a father and father-in-law of veterans, I’m heartbroken by this awful news. I join our entire South Jersey community in mourning ET3 Kenneth Smith’s tragic passing.

“My family and I are keeping his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov