Comments on: Twenty years ago today

By: Harold Wise

Harold Wise — Tue, 22 May 2007 19:55:48 +0000

I have written a book that examines the USS Stark attack in detail. The title is Inside the Danger Zone (Naval Institute Press, 2007). The book also looks at the other little-known events of the 1987-1988 Persian Gulf. The website is http://www.insidethedangerzone.com. Thanks

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 19 May 2007 00:11:14 +0000

I had an opportunity to train onboard the USS Ogden while an Instructor at ATG in 93-95. The Damage Control Assistant was LTjg Michael O’Keefe… yeah, THAT O’Keefe, previously HT1 O’Keefe of USS Stark history. The story he was able to tell gave me motivational ammo for other sailors in the form of “I heard it first hand from… “. The lessons learned from Stark, and the stories of the men who saved her made the US Navy DC program the best the world has ever seen. The proof is in the Damage Control History since Stark occurred. Roberts, Tripoli, Princeton, Cole. All share a common bond, that of Damage Control excellence. Don’t give up the ship. Those 37 young men of the Stark gave us that legacy. Michael O’Keefe fought for more than 24 hours to save his ship, and was instrumental in doing so… he didn’t just save the Stark. His hand is on every DC drill and action since then.
Some may argue that the Falklands war was the turning point, and in a small way, it did alter the course of Damage Control. But, until Stark, none of us really thought we were touchable. The Tactical Training Strategy was re-written after Stark, and the entire way we trained was changed. No more REFTRA…
Has it really been that long?

By: YardBird

YardBird — Fri, 18 May 2007 08:29:38 +0000

I worked the repairs to the Stark and I later worked to refit of the Cole.

As ex Navy both were a very hard task.

In both cases the losses were terrible and I have all the best wishes for those fellow sailors who paid the price.

I also wish to commend the crews I saw and dealt with in the aftermath. The spirit they showed in the fix it stages brings credit on them.

I also have walked the areas many times of the missile paths.

Have done many habitability upgrades to the various berthing areas involved.

By: Justthisguy

Justthisguy — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:35:17 +0000

What all above said, and Amen. I’ve spilled a small libation in their memory, just now.

I mean: Went outdoors and spilled it on the ground.

May they be avenged.

By: Tom Murin

Tom Murin — Fri, 18 May 2007 01:03:48 +0000

I served on the Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7) and this post puts a chill in my spine. All the jokes about being a missile sponge for carrier lost their luster after the Stark….DC drill certainly took on a bit more urgency and the “lessons learned” were eagerly read by the wardroom – if not most of the crew….A few years later the Roberts (which was in Surface Group 4 with us) hit a mine and was probably saved as a result of the DC focus which flowed from the Stark.

By: Cap'n Billy

Cap'n Billy — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:12:40 +0000

RIP & Godspeed, Sailors. This U. S. Navy (1952-1955) and U. S. Air Force (1957-1965) veteran sincerely thank each and every one of our military personnel for their service to us all. If you would like to hear an audio version of "The Navy Hymn" click here (633 KB WAV file).