The crew of US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) gathered with family and friends on October 12 to mark the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attack which killed 17 and injured 39 other USS Cole sailors.
The ceremony took place at Naval Station Norfolk with a wreath-laying and “Roll Call of Heroes.”
Deployed to the Middle East in 2000, Cole stopped briefly for refueling in the port of Aden, Yemen. At approximately 11:18 a.m., unknown to Cole security, a small boat with terrorists aboard came alongside the ship. Suddenly, a highly explosive bomb detonated alongside Cole. The explosion was so massive, it crumbled a 40-by-60 foot hole on the port side of the ship, taking the lives of 17 Sailors and injuring 39 others. Cole’s Sailors courageously fought fires and flooding for the following 96 hours to keep the ship afloat.
Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson Jr., provided the keynote address.
“The memories of that day are unforgettable…as we pause to honor our lost shipmates and celebrate the lives they lived, let us also remember who they were. They were parents, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. They were United States Navy sailors, forward deployed, who volunteered to serve our nation and defend our freedoms when they were attacked,” said Wilson. “It is that service and their sacrifice, that we honor here today.”
The Cole’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. David P. Wroe, also provided remarks.
“Cole is a very special ship, we serve every day in honor of our predecessors who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” said Wroe. “On this day, we take a moment to briefly reflect on the sailors who valiantly fought to save Cole. Their sacrifices will forever be honored.”
“The spirit, honor and courage represented by the Cole heroes lives on in our Navy core values and in our determination to defend our great nation,” said Wilson.