DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
February 14, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Laquita Pate James, 33, of Orange Park, Fla., died Feb. 12 of apparent natural causes while deployed aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship the USS Bataan. The cause of death is under investigation.

James was a Navy master-at-arms supporting operations off the Horn of Africa aboard the USS Bataan.

For further information related to this release, contact Navy Public Affairs at (703) 697-5342.