Posted on 12/29/2009 9:16:03 AM PST by Steelfish
Sailor Who Survived USS Cole Attack Dies At 31 Family believes he died from a panic attack while he slept
HOMESTEAD, Fla. - A survivor of the suicide bombing on the USS Cole in Yemen 10 years ago has died at his Florida home.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Johann Gokool was found dead in his bed last Wednesday, a week after his 31st birthday.
His sister, Natala Gokool, says her brother suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and had frequent, violent panic attacks. Natala Gokool said her brother never recovered from the attack. "He didn't like to be in public in strange places . . . He'd be stuck in his room for days. He lived like an owl,'' the Miami Herald reported her as saying.
Gokool had lost his left foot when al-Qaida terrorists bombed the ship in 2000, killing 17 U.S. sailors. The bomb triggered deadly fires aboard the ship during a refueling stop in Yemen.
He talked about the explosion "all the time,'' his sister said. "Anybody who would listen, he would talk.''
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Very sad....
Now this sailor is at final rest. Rest in peace. Your service was not in vain though; there are those of us who will continue the war against the islamist uncivilization and it’s evil desire to spread and snuff out Western Judeo-Christian civilization and all the good that goes with it. This sailor paid his dues several times over; it’s our turn to pay if we want to maintain Western freedom for our children and grandchildren. Get on board or get out of the way; you’re either with us or against us, there can be no in-between when the fight is for survival.
Even though he was a sailor in harm's way, it's still awefull that he had suffered from serious flashbacks continuously.
Guess being exposed to trauma even in the early 20's can still have a tremendous effect on the developing mental capacity.
RIP, sailor.
God rest his soul. Our volunteer armed forces are the best in the world because these young people each give us the blank check of their lives.
Johann Gokool, we salute you!
Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, Morrisville, Pennsylvania.
Signalman Seaman Recruit Cheron Luis Gunn, Rex, Georgia.
Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, Norfolk, Virginia.
Seaman Recruit Lakiba Nicole Palmer, San Diego, California.
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, Ringgold, Virginia.
Ensign Andrew Triplett, Macon, Mississippi.
Seaman Apprentice Craig Bryan Wibberley, Williamsport, Maryland.
Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd 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 2nd Class Mark Ian Nieto, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Electronics Warfare Technician 3rd Class Ronald Scott Owens, Vero Beach, Florida.
Engineman Fireman Joshua Langdon Parlett, Churchville, Maryland.
Fireman Apprentice Patrick Howard Roy, Cornwall on Hudson, New York.
Electronics Warfare Technician 2nd Class Kevin Shawn Rux, Portland, North Dakota.
Mess Management Specialist 3rd Class Ronchester Mananga Santiago, Kingsville, Texas
Fireman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., Rockport, Texas
I don’t know, but part of the problem certainly may have been that these sailors were killed mainly because of clinton’s careless neglect and stupidity. War can be hell in any circumstances, but it’s worse when your own CIC puts you in harm’s way and won’t even admit there’s an enemy.
And no one armed on the ship.
Just sitting ducks for bubba.
Damn, just damn.
RIP all those who die protecting our freedom.
Super post-Thanks!
RIP Gokool.
It’s too bad that you had to lose your foot and suffer afterwards because of the bombing. It’s also too bad that while you were suffering your injury that perhaps your foot could have been saved because three female sailors refused to go into the area to rescue, do first-aid and damage control! They sat in the passageway crying! This tidbit was covered-up until a lawsuit brought it to light. Whatever you may hear about feamles in the armed forces having “fit-in” is most likely all BS...like homosexuals also going to ‘fit-in’!
Awful. Panic attacks are horrible, feels like having a heart attack. RIP.
Prayers lifted
Add one more to the list of those who lost their life in Defense of Freedom.
God Bless this warrior.
Another article on it...
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/survivor-of-uss-cole-attack-found-dead-in-153978.html
Welcome to FR, Georgia1.
Do you have a link or more details about the female sailors?
Godspeed Son, your heart was burdened.
Nor the time or place to bring an agenda. Get a grip
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