Explosive Ordnance Disposal First Class Petty Officer (EOD1) Jeffrey Lucas Chaney was born October 26th, 1971 in Omaha, Nebraska to Constance and Larry Chaney. Jeff enlisted in the Navy under the Delayed Entry Program on March 23rd, 1993 with guaranteed advancement to Seaman Apprentice upon graduation of boot camp, and reported to Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois on the 24th of March, 1993.

Following Recruit Training Jeff was assigned to First Division aboard the USS WASP (LHD 1) home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia where he learned the basic skills of a Boatswains’ Mate. In March of 1995 he transferred to the Navy Cargo Handling and Port Group in Williamsburg, Virginia where he earned the Antarctica Service Medal in February 1997.

In 1998 Jeff decided to change careers, and became a Navy Recruiter in his home town of Omaha, Nebraska where he served with distinction and was honored as the Recruiter of the Year in 2000, earning sixteen Gold Wreath Awards for recruiting excellence. In August of 2001 he changed careers again and reported to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center Panama City, Florida for training in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal pipeline which he graduated in March 2004.

EOD1 Chaney reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ELEVEN on May 20th, 2004 and was initially assigned to the newly formed Detachment THIRTEEN where he was instrumental in building it from the ground up. During that time he also performed 18 High Altitude Mixed Gas Decompression Dives to recover thousands of pounds of unexploded ordnance in Pyramid Lake, Nevada and supported multiple Secret Service Support Missions.

From February to August 2006 Jeff deployed aboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) where he earned qualifications as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS), SCUBA Supervisor, and a Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques and Cast Master.

More recently, he served honorably as EODMU ELEVEN Detachment NINE Leading Petty Officer responsible for rendering safe and disposal of Unexploded Ordnance and Improvised Explosive Devices while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal First Class Petty Officer Jeffrey Lucas Chaney has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor and Purple Heart.

His personal decorations include: The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Five Awards), The Army Achievement Medal, The Meritorious Unit Commendations Medal, Good Conduct Medal (Four Awards), The National Defense Medal, The Iraq Campaign Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Medal, The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, The Antarctica Service Medal, The Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, The Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, The Expert Rifleman and Pistol Ribbons and is qualified as a Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, HRST/CAST Master, SCUBA Supervisor, and Naval Parachutist.

Jeff Chaney is survived by his daughter Brianna, his parents Constance and Larry Chaney, his brothers Randy and Jim Eckert and his sister April.