7/17/2007
Explosive Ordnance Disposal First Class (EWS/AW) Jeffrey Lucas Chaney was born October 26, 1971 in Omaha, Nebraska to Constance and Larry Chaney. Jeff enlisted in the Navy under the Delayed Entry Program on March 23rd, 1993 with guaranteed advancement to Seaman Apprentice upon graduation of boot camp, and reported to Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois on March 24, 1993.
Following Recruit Training, EOD1(EWS/AW) Chaney was assigned to First Division aboard the USS WASP (LHD 1) in Norfolk, Virginia where he learned the basic skills of a Boatswains’ Mate. In March of 1995, he transferred to the Navy Cargo Handling and Port Group in Williamsburg, Virginia where he earned the Antarctica Service Medal in February 1997. In 1998, Jeff decided to change careers and became a Navy Recruiter in his home town of Omaha, Nebraska where he served with distinction and was honored as the Recruiter of the Year in 2000, earning sixteen Gold Wreath Awards for recruiting excellence. In August of 2001, he changed careers again and reported to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center at Panama City, Florida for training in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal pipeline from which he graduated in March 2004.
EOD1(EWS/AW) Chaney reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ELEVEN on May 20th, 2004 and was initially assigned to the newly formed Detachment THIRTEEN where he was instrumental in building it from the ground up. During that time he also performed 18 High Altitude Mixed Gas Decompression Dives to recover thousands of pounds of unexploded ordnance in Pyramid Lake, Nevada and supported multiple Secret Service Support missions. From February to August 2006, Jeff deployed aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) where he earned qualifications as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, SCUBA Supervisor, and a Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques and Cast Master. His team deployed to Iraq on May 3, 2007 where he served honorably as EODMU ELEVEN Detachment NINE Leading Petty Officer responsible for rendering safe and disposal of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Upon arrival in Iraq, Petty Officer Chaney established his team into Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora and provided general support to the EOD Mobile Unit TWO Battalion and direct support to the 82nd Airborne 2/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. His Detachment performed a total of 100 EOD missions including 40 improvised explosive devices, 14 suspected improvised explosive devices, two suspect vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 14 unexploded ordnance calls, 12 post blast assessments, and two explosive remnants of war items were identified and rendered safe.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician First Class (ESW/AW) Jeffrey Lucas Chaney was killed in action on the 17th of July, 2007 during combat operations while supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in the vicinity of Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora. EOD1(EWS/AW) Chaney was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor and Purple Heart.
Jeff Chaney is survived by his daughter Brianna, his parents Constance and Larry Chaney, his brother Randy and his sister April.