Decorated naval officer from Richmond Hill dies of COVID-19

Richmond Hill native Herbert Rojas, center, died earlier this month due to COVID-19. Photo via Facebook

By Rachel Vick

Richmond Hill native Herbert Rojas, an officer with 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy died Feb. 2 in Chicago due to COVID-19 complications. He was 50 years old. 

Rojas joined the Navy in 2001, and served in Bahrain, in Virginia and aboard Hawaii-based USS Michael Murphy. His last post was as an instructor at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in Illinois, where he served as a chief quartermaster and gave recruits a basic introduction to the Navy.

He is remembered by family, friends and past students for his sense of humor and commitment to his children. 

Rojas graduated from Richmond Hill High School and was well known in the neighborhood. He worked at a Carvel on Atlantic Avenue and as an operating engineer with the Javits Center before enlisting in the Navy.

His military awards include the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy “E” Ribbon, Good Conduct Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and shipmate Chief Rojas, and we will continue supporting his family and friends during this time of grief,” said Capt. Erik Thors, the commanding officer of Recruit Training Command.

He is survived by daughters Victoria and Isabel, his parents and three siblings. 

Services will be held on Feb. 19 and 20 at the Leahy McDonald Funeral Home. Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday with mass to follow at Holy Child church.