Retired Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, the Cole's skipper at the time, said he distinctly remembers being told after the attack that a new crew member was in Bahrain, waiting to join the ship.
Someone back in the States asked whether they should send the sailor back to the U.S., but Lippold - who'd just lost 17 crew members, including a senior chief - knew he could use more help. He gave approval for Sparenberg to join the crew.
"During the time he was on board the ship following the attack, he did an excellent job in helping the ship through some difficult times," Lippold said.
However, he added, "I know for a fact he wasn't aboard the day of the attack."
Note to self: Read the the rest of the posts, then post...