Terra Bella native serves aboard Navy warship in Mayport

The values I learned from my hometown helped mold me into the person I am today, it’s important not to hang out with the wrong people. You have to stay true to yourself.

MAYPORT, Fla. - Fireman Cristian Lemus Silva, a native of Terra Bella, California, serves aboard USS Indianapolis, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Mayport, Florida

Lemus Silva graduated from Porterville High School in 2023.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Terra Bella.

“The values I learned from my hometown helped mold me into the person I am today,” Lemus Silva said. “It’s important not to hang out with the wrong people. You have to stay true to yourself.”

Lemus Silva joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Lemus Silva serves as a gas turbine systems technician (electrical).

“I joined the Navy to explore other opportunities and see new places,” Lemus Silva said.

A Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Indianapolis is a fast and agile warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. Crews aboard the ship can operate unmanned aerial systems and unmanned underwater vehicles. These ships can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Lemus Silva has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’m proud of the work we do in the engineering department,” Lemus Silva said. “A few weeks ago, we were troubleshooting an issue with one of our systems, and after a lot of hard work and long days, we finally figured it out. It felt amazing.”

Lemus Silva serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“The Navy has helped me grow as a person and provided life skills I didn’t even know I needed,” Lemus Silva said.

Lemus Silva is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my mom, Julia, for always being there for me,” Lemus Silva said. “I enjoy our phone calls that we have because it’s hard sometimes being away from my family. It feels good to talk with her.”

More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/

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