Funeral for Navy midshipman killed in Amtrak derailment

HEWLETT, N.Y. (AP) -- The commanding officer of a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman killed in this week's Amtrak derailment says he was "a phenomenal young man."

Capt. Brandy Soublet (Soo-BLAY') says Justin Zemser "just had this quiet strength about him."

Soublet spoke outside the Boulevard-Riverside-Hewlett Chapel on Long Island, where Zemser's funeral is taking place.

The 20-year-old sophomore was traveling from the academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to his home in New York City when he was killed in Tuesday's derailment in Philadelphia. He was one of eight people killed.

The Naval Academy's superintendent says Zemser was a talented and highly respected young man with a tremendously bright future.

He was a member of the Navy sprint football team, the Jewish Midshipman Club and the Semper Fi Society, a Marine Corps club.