SIMI VALLEY : Sailor, 22, Dies After Being Hurt in Pacific

A 22-year-old Simi Valley man who was among 16 sailors injured in two explosions aboard a U. S. aircraft carrier in the Pacific last week has died, officials said Thursday.

Robert Shane Kilgore died about 11 p.m. Wednesday at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he was undergoing treatment for burns over 85% of his body, said Capt. James English, a hospital spokesman.

Kilgore was a firefighter in the U. S. Navy who aspired to be a Ventura County firefighter, said Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley).

Gallegly helped several members of Kilgore’s family secure free transportation on commercial airlines, and the sailor’s relatives were by his side when he died, English said. He said he did not know the specific cause of death.

Kilgore was injured during two explosions on July 20 aboard the aircraft carrier Midway, which had been performing flight exercises 125 miles off the coast of Yokosuka, Japan. Two other sailors died in the explosion. Kilgore and seven other injured sailors were flown to the military hospital in San Antonio on Friday. The other eight injured sailors are being treated at hospitals in Japan.

Memorial services are pending.

Simi Valley Mayor Gregory Stratton extended his sympathies to Kilgore’s family in a statement he read during a City Council meeting Thursday night.

“Wholesome, energetic and outstanding are some of the words that have been used to describe Robert Shane Kilgore throughout his life,” Stratton said.

“Now, ‘hero’ has been added to the list of adjectives that describe this spirited and courageous young man.”

The council adjourned its meeting early in Kilgore’s honor.