Another May 17th
Each year the memories of the USS Stark are as strong as ever.
In February of 1987, I was a 21-year-old sailor onboard the USS Conyngham and we left our home port of Norfolk, VA to head on a six-month Persian Gulf tour.
I was mostly excited as many of the port visits were places I had never been. And I had never even dreamed of being in the Persian Gulf. Although what was called the Tanker Wars’ was happening, I felt pretty safe going. I was new to the USS Conyngham and excited about a cruise onboard after having been on a much larger aircraft carrier.
It took a month to get there and I was enjoying the heat and getting to know the country of Bahrain. On May 17th we returned to Manama, the capitol and major port, and turned over our patrol duties to the USS Stark.
That evening the Stark was hit by two Exocet missiles fired by an Iraqi pilot. Only one exploded.
37 sailors died that night.
There was a moment when it seemed that the ship could sink. By early morning the USS Conyngham arrived to help, and shipmates went to fight fires.
The visual of the USS Stark on fire was mind-blowing to me. It’s something I never expected to see and will never forget.
I think of that night often, and every May 17th I post about it on my social media platforms to keep the memory of those who died alive.
In loving memory of those who lost their lives onboard the USS Stark:
Doran Bolduc
Bradley Brown
Jeffrey Calkins
Mark M. Caouette
John Ciletta
Brian Clinefelter
Antonio Daniels
Christopher DeAngelis
James Dunlap
Steven Erwin
Jerry Farr
Vernon Foster
Dexter Grissett
William Hansen
Daniel Homicki
Kenneth Janusik
Steven Kendall
Stephen Kiser
Ronnie Lockett
Thomas MacMullen
Charles Moller
Jeffrey Phelps
Randy Pierce
James Plonsky
Kelly Quick
Earl Ryals
Robert Shippee
Jeffrey Sibley
Lee Stephens
James Stevens
Martin Supple
Gregory Tweady
Vincent Ulmer
Joseph Watson
Wayne Weaver
Terrance Weldon
Lloyd Wilson
—
Take a risk. Be of service. Support your friends and colleagues. Be kind.
What I’m reading:
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