The Navy yesterday identified Machinist Mate 3rd Class Michael A. Gentile, of Fairfield, Maine, as the sailor killed in "an apparent accident" Saturday on the ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska as it operated near O'ahu.

The Naval Safety Center reported that Gentile died after becoming entangled and pinned in the rudder ram — part of the ship's steering mechanism — aboard the Nebraska during cleaning duty.

Gentile, 21, joined the Navy in July of 2005. He had been assigned to the Nebraska since Nov. 15, 2006, the Navy said. Gentile previously had served on the submarine USS Alaska.

Gentile was part of the "blue crew" on the Nebraska, one of two crews that take turns manning the submarine.

"Our sincerest condolences and prayers continue to go out to the family and friends of Petty Officer Gentile," the U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine force said in a release. Memorial service plans are pending.

A post to the submarining blog www.bubbleheads.blogspot.com said, "Thinking about this brings back really bad memories of not too long ago. Unfortunately, this isn't the first death aboard Big Red as we had a suicide death less than four years ago.

"There are still quite a few guys on board that were there for the first one, and let me tell you, it's not fun. Those were tough times and I know the coming days will be just as tough if not worse. My thoughts and prayers go to the crew and their family."

The 560-foot-long submarine, homeported in Bangor, Wash., remained in Pearl Harbor yesterday for an investigation and any crew counseling that was needed.

Gentile's injuries occurred as the submarine operated near O'ahu, the Navy said.

Lt. Cmdr. David Benham, a spokesman for the Pacific Fleet submarine force at Pearl Harbor, said Submarine Squadron 17, the Nebraska's unit, is conducting a command investigation into the apparent accident.

The Navy said the crewman was mortally wounded while the ballistic missile submarine was submerged. Benham said the Nebraska was conducting routine operations.

Gentile died while being helicoptered to The Queen's Medical Center. Benham said no other Nebraska crew members were injured, and that the submarine was not damaged in any way.

The Nebraska, which carries up to 24 Trident ballistic missiles, had not pulled into Pearl Harbor for a stop before the accident, the Navy said.

The Navy's 14 Ohio-class submarines, the largest U.S. subs ever built, carry about 50 percent of the U.S. strategic nuclear warhead inventory. The subs are split between Bangor and Kings Bay, Ga.

The Nebraska was commissioned in 1993 and is nicknamed "Big Red" after the University of Nebraska football team.