Rick Scott ‘heartbroken’ by Navy deaths

Three members of the U.S. Navy — each of whom had Florida connections — perished at sea this week. Gov. Rick Scott is joining other Americans in mourning the loss.

“My wife Ann and I are heartbroken to learn of the loss of these brave members of the US Navy, including Lt. Steven Combs and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso of Florida. These men put their lives on the line to defend our families and our freedom. As a Navy veteran myself, I honor their sacrifice and I am praying for their loved ones as they mourn,” Scott said in a statement Saturday.

Combs and Grosso were both Florida natives; additionally, as Stars and Stripes reported Saturday, the third man to be lost at sea — Seaman Matthew Chialastri — was once stationed in Jacksonville, where he was assigned to the USS America.

Flags will be lowered throughout the state in the coming days.

American and Japanese forces searched in vain for the men, per Stars and Stripes, covering 1,000 nautical square miles in two days.