Tuesday, October 12, 2010

USS Cole (DDG 67) ~ 10 years ago

Ten years ago on October 12, a refueling stop in the port of Aden, Yemen, turned into a terrorist attack on the USS Cole.  The attack killed 17 sailors and wounded 39.  In this act of terrorism against the United States by the minions of Osama bin Laden, we were thrust ever farther into the War against Terrorism.

A tenth anniversary post from the USS Cole's commander, CDR Kirk S Lippold:
http://blog.usni.org/2010/10/11/uss-cole-ddg-67-a-guest-post-from-cdr-kirk-s-lippold-usn-ret/

 Attack on the USS Cole left 17 sailors dead and 39 wounded

Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer
Richard Costelow
Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Signalman Seaman Recruit
Cherone Louis Gunn,
Rex, Georgia

Seaman
James Rodrick McDaniels,
Norfolk, Virginia

Seaman Recruit
Lakiba Nicole Palmer,
San Diego, California

Operations Specialist Second Class
Timothy Lamont Saunders,
Ringgold, Virginia

Ensign
Andrew Triplett,
Macon, Mississippi

Seaman Apprentice
Craig Bryan Wibberley,
Williamsport, Maryland

Hull Maintenance Technician Third Class
Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter,
Mechanicsville, Virginia

Mess Management Specialist Seaman
Lakeina Monique Francis,
Woodleaf, North Carolina

Information Systems Technician Seaman
Timothy Lee Gauna,
Rice, Texas

Engineman Second Class
Marc Ian Nieto,
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class
Ronald Scott Owens,
Vero Beach, Florida

Engineman Fireman
Joshua Langdon Parlett,
Churchville, Maryland

Fireman Apprentice
Patrick Howard Roy,
Keedysville, Maryland

Electronics Warfare Technician First Class
Kevin Shawn Rux,
Portland, North Dakota

Mess Management Specialist Third Class
Ronchester Mananga Santiago,
Kingsville, Texas

Firecontrolman
Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.,
Rockport, Texas

May we ever remember them.......



 Bringing the USS Cole home

USS Cole Memorial - Norfolk
The 17 granite slabs around the monoliths are in remembrance of the 17 who were murdered that day.
The Memorial sits at the berthing area for the USS Cole.
The families still wait for a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and for the justice they deserve.

Obama Administration drops charges against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 
the alleged mastermind behind the USS Cole bombing and other terrorist attacks,
in February 2009.

3 comments:

JD said...

Not to detract from your point, but your first photo isn't the Cole; it's an oil tanker. It appears to be the French tanker Limburg, near Yemen in 2002.

Flag Gazer said...

I found that photo listed over a dozen times as the Cole, but it didn't look right, but it was dramatic. I have removed it. Thank you.

Sarge Charlie said...

and we did not respond, so sad.