U.S.S. McCain Collision: Ohio Man Missing

NORTH LEWISBURG, OH — A central Ohio man is among those still missing after the U.S.S. John S. McCain, which collided with a merchant vessel earlier this week. Jacob Drake, 21, went to Triad High School in Champaign County. He is an electronics technician, second class, on the vessel.

The U.S.S. John McCain hit an oil tanker near Singapore. The Navy and Marine Corps have expanded their search for Drake and nine other men, missing since the collision. More divers are expected to hit the water Thursday, looking for the missing sailors. The bodies of some of the missing sailors have been located inside of the McCain.

Ohio politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, have offered prayers for Drake and his family. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Drake's fiance, Megan Parlow, told the New York Post she is "losing faith" that Drake will be found alive. The North Lewisburg community is planning a candlelight vigil in honor of Drake, 10TV reports.

News of the fatal collision comes just two months after the tragedy of the U.S.S. Fitzgerald. The Fitzgerald hit a Philippine merchant ship, leading to the death of seven men. Among those who perished was Gary Rehm, 37, from Elyria, who fought valiantly to save others from drowning after the collision, even when it cost him his own life.

With fatal accidents piling up, the admiral in charge of the United States Navy's 7th Fleet has been relieved of his command, the Navy announced early Wednesday.The decision to remove Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin was made by Adm. Scott Swift, the commander of the Pacific Fleet. The 7th fleet is based in Yokosuna, Japan. Its nearly 70 ships cover nearly 50 million square miles in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The Navy said it no longer had faith in Aucoin's ability to lead and command.

For more coverage of the Navy's search for the missing sailors, click here.

Photos courtesy United States Navy