Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Vincent A. Filpi III

Remember Our Heroes

Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Vincent A. Filpi III, 41, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Vincent A. Filpi III was assigned to the aircraft carrier Enterprise; died March 22, 2011 as a result of a non-combat incident. The Enterprise was deployed in the Arabian Sea in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Vincent A. Filpi III, a 41-year-old petty officer first class, was found dead Tuesday aboard the carrier, which is deployed in the Arabian Sea.

The Defense Department issued a news release Wednesday saying his death was the result of a "noncombat-related incident." So far, the Navy has not said anything else about how he died.

Lt. Frederick Martin, a spokesman with the Navy's 5th Fleet, said he doesn't expect more information to be made public until the service completes an investigation into what happened.

Filpi, who was from Florida, enlisted in the Navy in 1992. He'd been assigned to the Enterprise since May 2009 as an aviation ordnanceman.

“Vince loved his country and paid the ultimate price to ensure our continued freedom,” said his wife, Erica Bruder-Filpi. “While our grief is immense we will forever thank him and all other military members.”

Filpi and his wife have a son, Tony. He also had five stepchildren: Aleksandra, Nicholai, Brianna, Davan and Taelin.

“Vince was a fantastic father who was completely devoted to our children,” Bruder-Filpi said. “I can’t say enough nice things about Vincent.”

His parents Vincent II and Donna Filpi live in Shalimar.

Before the Enterprise, he spent time assigned to aviation units in Norfolk, Italy and California, as well as onboard the carrier Theodore Roosevelt, according to the Navy.

The Enterprise is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan.

Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Vincent A. Filpi III was killed in a non-combat incident on 3/22/11.