Saturday, July 27, 2024
The US Naval Academy reports that 21-year-old Luke Gabriel Bird lost his footing while hiking near the Salto El Agua Waterfall and fell over the edge. His body was found by Chilean officials in the waterfall’s lagoon on Sunday, July 17th.
In his short life, Texas-born Luke Bird left behind a legacy to be proud of. In high school, he was active in student government and served as captain of the wrestling team his junior and senior years.
Class photo of Luke Gabriel Bird
During his time at the Naval Academy, he pursued a degree in ocean engineering and was a member of the 20th and 2nd companies.
In addition to partaking in intramural sports, he was a member of the Semper Fi Society. A classmate described him as “unfathomably smart.” His death is a grave loss to the Naval Academy, and the US armed forces as a whole.