Aurora Starchild
A 21-yr-old Navy Academy Midshipman has fallen over a waterfall in Chile in a tragic accident. Luke Gabriel Bird fell to his death while hiking the Salto El Agua waterfall in Placilla. The Texas native was studying abroad with the Chile Naval Academy at the time. His family, friends, and peers said that he was a Renaissance man and outstanding student.
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According to U.S. authorities, Bird was hiking with a Chilean Naval Academy student when he slipped and fell. His body was recovered from a lagoon at the base of the waterfall the following day.
Luke Gabriel Bird was a midshipman 2nd class, which is like a third-year college student. He was pursuing a major in ocean engineering. He was active in and excelled at many extracurricular activities and sports and was a Semper Fi Society member.
The Navy Midshipman Was A Recipient Of Multiple Medals And Badges
Bird was a recipient of the Marksman Rifle Qualification Badge, the Sharpshooter Pistol Qualification Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal.
At the New Braunfels high school, Bird was vice-president of the National Honor Society and battalion commander of his high school’s Marine Corps JROTC unit. He was also captain of the high school wrestling team and an active member of the student government.
Bird received a Legion of Valor Bronze Cross in 2018 as a Marine JROTC cadet. The Naval Academy wrote that he exemplified “outstanding achievement in both scholastic and military subjects and outstanding leadership demonstrated in both school and in the community.”
Vice Administrator Sean Buck, the U.S. Naval Academy’s superintendent stated, “We are incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of Midshipman Luke Bird this weekend. I encourage all of our Naval Academy family to offer support to one another as we navigate the grieving process.”
His reputation was as an “Unfathomably Smart”person
Travis Delgado, a senior from the Academy described Bird as a “great man” who “greatly exemplified the hard-working midshipman who helps anyone at the drop of a hat.” He described him as “unfathomably smart” and said that Bird would help tutor him in his free time.
