Navy finds remains of Novi native on USS McCain

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The U.S. Navy announced on Thursday that it has identified the remains of a Michigan woman's son who was on board the USS John McCain when it collided with an oil tanker near Singapore.

Divers recovered the body of Kenneth Smith, 22, in the ship's flooded compartment, the Navy said. Smith is from New Jersey but his mom, April Brandon, lives in Milford.

Five sailors were also injured in the collision and as of Monday night there has been no word on if any of those missing have been located.

"I just wish I could be there searching with them," April said earlier this week. "My heart's there."

The Milford mother was visited Monday morning by two officers who informed her that her son was one of the 10 sailors who went missing after the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker in the waters near Singapore.

The Navy says search and rescue efforts are underway.

"They said they are doing a 100 nautical square mile search that the USA Search and Rescue is involved along with every country around Singapore," she said.

Kenny, as she calls him grew up in Novi and moved to Norfolk, Virginia with his father as a teen to prepare for the Navy through the ROTC.

April, who often spoke to her son by Skype, described Kenny as a brilliant kind compassionate young man. The online author - wanted to develop video games one day.

One reason she says her son joined the Navy was that he wanted to serve his country but looked forward to his education.

Nine other sailors are still missing after the collision.