Milford mom's son missing in USS McCain crash near Singapore
MILFORD, Mich. (WJBK) - The desperate search continues for 10 missing sailors after the USS John McCain collided with an oil tanker Sunday in the waters off of Singapore.
At least one of the missing sailors is from metro Detroit and his mother April Brandon's heart is hurting tonight over her son, Ken Smith, 22.
April is getting her updates from the news with family and friends surrounding her, while hoping and praying her son will be found.
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. "My heart's there."
April holds her phone close, hoping she will get word about Ken, her oldest son.
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, describes 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.
April posted on Facebook asking people to pray. If they don't pray to hope with her, that her son will be found
"I'm watching people share my posts and making it a political," she said. "I understand but more than anything hug your family. Drop the politics and just love one another."
April is surrounded by family and friends but for this mother who is thousands of miles away, the waiting is almost too much to bear.
"My son is a hero, I just want him home," she said.