When Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram and his teammate Chris Chambers were honored at the Silver Strand Training Complex in California, the entire SEAL community gathered to celebrate their courage and legacy. Capt. Blake L. Chaney, Commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, described the two as embodiments of integrity and selflessness. “Chris and Gage epitomize Naval Special Warfare’s core values: integrity, courage, and selflessness,” Chaney noted solemnly, adding that it’s now the team’s duty to carry forward the legacy they left behind.
Friends and family echoed those sentiments, recounting special memories and honoring Gage’s gentle strength and unwavering dedication to those he loved and served beside.
A Hero’s Final Mission
In early January 2024, Gage and his teammate Chris were on a night mission to intercept a vessel smuggling weapons from Iran intended for Houthi forces in Yemen. When a mishap during the operation threw a teammate overboard, Gage acted without hesitation, going immediately to his aid in the churning waters of the Arabian Sea. Both men, heavily laden with their gear, were unable to resurface, ending the mission with a devastating loss. Ten agonizing days passed as search efforts continued, but ultimately, both Gage and Chris were declared deceased on January 12, 2024.
For Jewel Ingram, Gage’s wife, his final resting place in the ocean offers a small solace amid a world of loss. “It’s beautiful to think that I can go to the sea anytime and know that he’s there,” she says with a tearful smile. Growing up in Hawaii, Jewel has always felt a deep connection to the ocean, but now it has taken on a new, bittersweet meaning. “The thing I always loved—being near the water—took away the person I loved most. But now, I feel like it’s part of him, a place where I can always meet him.”
Memories of a Fearless, Kind Soul
Nathan Gage Ingram, known simply as “Gage,” had a boundless energy and zest for life that defined him from his childhood years in Texas. His mother, Kristi Hughes, recalls his endless need for adventure. “He wanted to be outdoors, riding his bike, playing football, or anything else he could find to keep himself active,” she says, chuckling at her son’s enthusiasm. “Baseball was too slow for him. He just needed that action.”
Ryan Johnson, Gage’s best friend since kindergarten, shares a lifetime of memories that reflect Gage’s enduring kindness and loyalty. “He was humble, always there if you needed him, and did what he was told without question,” Ryan remembers. The two shared an endless stream of friendly banter, often trading jabs with each other. “We were always trash-talking. One year, I remember my team won a championship, and he just kept saying, ‘No, it didn’t happen.’”
He laughs as he recounts the time he stayed with Gage for a summer during college. Gage, with his characteristic humor and practicality, had only one towel in the bathroom. “He had this one towel hanging up, clearly used, and there was even some blood on it. I asked him about it, and he just looked at me and said, ‘Towels? Buddy, we got a towel,’” Ryan recalls, laughing at the memory of Gage’s carefree outlook.
The Making of a SEAL
Gage’s journey toward becoming a Navy SEAL started early, with a quiet drive that his friends and family knew well. Johnson recalls a cold, early morning when Gage, only a teenager, went for a run at 2 a.m. on the slick, icy roads. “We thought he was crazy, but he came back and told me, ‘I’m going to be a Navy SEAL,’” Ryan recalls. That determination carried Gage to Texas Tech University, where he majored in kinesiology, devoting countless hours to training, running, and swimming in preparation for the grueling SEAL training that awaited him.
Chet Ingram, Gage’s father, vividly recalls how his son faced the intense demands of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, where candidates undergo Hell Week, five-and-a-half days of nonstop physical and mental strain. “I knew he would give it everything he had,” says Chet, who was Gage’s confidant and constant source of encouragement during this time. Chet remembers a particular challenge: during an underwater knot-tying exercise, Gage passed out. But true to his determined nature, Gage called his father immediately, asking, “How do I do better next time?”
And, of course, he made it through, graduating from BUD/S in December 2021 as part of SEAL Class 346. Ryan remembers receiving a simple, triumphant text message that week that read, “Secured.” “That was the coolest thing, ever,” Ryan says. “There was no doubt in my mind he would make it.”
A Life of Love and Dedication
Jewel met Gage in 2022, and they were quickly inseparable, forming a bond that sustained them through deployments, training, and the weight of Gage’s dangerous profession. “He always reassured me that he was being safe and smart,” she says, remembering the trust and confidence he instilled in her. “We needed to be solid, because if we weren’t, he wouldn’t be solid for work.” Their wedding day came just five months before his final mission, a memory she treasures alongside countless moments where they cherished simply being together.
“I hate that I lost my best friend, but we always took every opportunity to be together, to be present and feel it all,” she says. “I’m grateful we never took a moment for granted.”
The Legacy of a True Warrior
For those who knew him best, Gage was always both a fearless warrior and a deeply kind friend. “He had this knack for just diving into anything, for believing that there was nothing he couldn’t do,” Ryan says. This sentiment was shared by everyone at the ceremony, each person having witnessed a different piece of Gage’s indomitable spirit.
Jewel recalls visiting Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, where Gage is laid to rest in a spot where they once watched the sun set together. She describes it as a “full-circle” moment that brings her peace. “I always find a minute and I always find him there, in that same place we spent so much time, watching the sun set,” she says softly.
His mother Kristi echoes the sentiment that Gage’s life, though tragically cut short, was defined by love and selflessness. “He died a hero, giving up his life for his teammate,” she says. Those words, shared with solemn pride, are repeated by all who loved him. He lives on, not just as a SEAL, but as a son, husband, and friend who gave his all for others.
