Eight Sailors Attempt Suicide on USS Abraham Lincoln Amidst Harsh Conditions

Eight US Navy sailors serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln during the Iran war tried to end their own lives, according to an acting secretary who spoke out recently. Acting Secretary Hung Cao made this claim in a letter sent Tuesday to Democrat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand after she asked about conditions on the ship. None of these attempts resulted in death.

Over 6,000 men and women were aboard that vessel for 280 days before it finally docked in September. Families complained of brutal living conditions during this record-setting deployment. Cao told Gillibrand, who sits on the Senate Armed Services committee, that the eight attempts involved sailors from several different ships moving together as a group.

"This number includes the Lincoln crew and sailors from the carrier airwing, strike group and destroyer squadron staff, escorting destroyers and all embarked aviation squadrons," the letter stated. The document was obtained by The Daily Mail Wednesday night. Loved ones of some sailors reported that others considered jumping overboard just to get out of it during the mission.

In 2024, the last year the Pentagon released suicide data, there were 356 attempts among 337,000 active-duty sailors nationwide. Cao noted one specific incident in March where a sailor tried to go overboard but was stopped by fellow crew members. That person received immediate medical care and was sent back homeport. A US military official told CNN the numbers were incredibly high.

Cao said a bipartisan Congressional delegation will board the USS Abraham Lincoln when it returns home for an investigation. What Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth dismissed as fake news has turned out to be serious problems deteriorating over time, Senator Gillibrand told The Daily Mail. She argued that troops and families make immense sacrifices every single day yet the president treated them with open disrespect. That this administration finds endless taxpayer dollars for bombs, ballrooms, and billionaires while failing to care for service members is completely unacceptable.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Navy for comment on these shocking revelations.

A Pentagon spokesperson pointed directly to the Navy when asked about current changes. Adjustments are already happening as leadership recognizes the heavy toll on sailors during these extended deployments. The US Navy is tweaking onboard operations while preparing the next aircraft carrier for duty following complaints of brutal conditions at sea. Sailors have reported receiving meager portions, prompting crews to stock up supplies before departure.

The USS Abraham Lincoln recently completed a grueling patrol featuring 280 days at sea and 200 inside combat zones. The ship played a crucial role in Operation Epic Fury and the US blockade of Iranian ports. During that time, sailors reportedly faced alarming conditions. Family members stated these struggles led some service members to experience mental health crises.

Now as the vessel heads home, officials thanked the crew for their service while signaling a series of upcoming changes. 'You answered the call, you got the job done and just as importantly, the lessons you bring home are helping us better prepare the next team to deploy,' Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman said. Perryman and Admiral Daryl Caudle added that families should brace for a longer deployment when the USS Theodore Roosevelt leaves San Diego. This decision follows Defense Secretary orders extending troop deployments in the Middle East, covering warship crews, air defense units, and paratroopers.

The Roosevelt will carry extra supplies while the Navy focuses on quality of life issues. Crew members are converting available spaces into additional storage to build self-sufficiency for longer periods, especially when resupply may be difficult. A letter written by Cao Tuesday responded to questions from Democrat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand regarding the vessel's conditions. The official called suicide attempts completely unacceptable.

'That means new entertainment equipment on the mess decks, more durable fitness equipment, spare cardio machines ready for our replacement, and even holiday materials purchased ahead of time,' said Caudle. Additionally, efforts are underway to provide families with reliable, consistent communication throughout the deployment. 'Small things matter during a long deployment because taking care of our sailors is part of maintaining combat readiness,' Perryman concluded. As one carrier returns home, officials listen to its sailors and families. They capture what worked and what didn't to make it better next time. To the Lincoln team, thank you for what you accomplished and for what you taught us.

We are doing everything we can to make sure you are ready for the mission, for you and your families." That promise from the Roosevelt team hangs over a story of grit and hardship. Sailors told the Wall Street Journal about surviving 12-hour shifts, seven days straight, in cramped quarters that felt like holding cells.

When their deployment stretched beyond May, they got extra time off to recover. Crew members fought to keep spirits high with spelling bees and lip-syncing competitions during those rare quiet moments. Yet rations shrank as fighting made resupply harder. Portions became smaller just to ensure enough food remained on board for everyone.

Early in the mission, WiFi went dark for nearly two months because of operational security needs. That silence meant less contact with friends and family back home. Despite that isolation and the strain on supplies, sailors said they felt proud. They shot down more than 200 Iranian drones and flew over 10,000 operational missions without flinching.

Reports have surfaced since the start of the war in Iran detailing food shortages aboard the Lincoln. Photos show meals that look meager at best. Sailors also faced moldy showers, broken toilets, laundry systems that stopped working, and long stretches with no hot water. One sailor's wife called the ship a "floating metal prison." She said her husband described the experience as "the worst deployment he's ever been on.