Trump says he's instructed Navy to 'destroy' any Iranian gunboats harassing US ships

Fox News ^ | 04/22/2020 | Brooke Singman

[Olog-hai]

President Trump said Wednesday that he’s instructed the U.S. Navy to “shoot down and destroy” any Iranian gunboats harassing American ships, in the wake of a tense encounter in the Persian Gulf.

“I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea,” Trump tweeted.

The encounter happened last week. Six U.S. Navy warships were conducting drills with US Army Apache attack helicopters in international waters off Iran last Wednesday when they were repeatedly harassed by 11 Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Navy vessels, the U.S. Navy’s 5^th Fleet reported.

The Iranian ships repeatedly crossed in front and behind the U.S. vessels at extremely close range and high speeds, including multiple crossings of one ship, the Puller, with a 50-yard closest point of approach and within 10 yards of another ship, the Maui’s, bow, a 5^th Fleet statement said. […]

The incident last week came one day after Iranian gunmen stormed a Hong Kong-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz before quickly leaving when they learned the vessel was from China. …

[spokeshave]

including multiple crossings of one ship, the Puller,

The Puller... that be Chesty Puller

Lt. Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller was a Marine’s Marine. A bonafide badass leatherneck with the scars to prove it. But this badass had one soft spot—his fierce loyalty and care for his men. Puller’s leadership is one of the reasons why to this day, Marine Corps officers in the field never eat until the enlisted men have been served.

Puller was the most decorated Marine in history, and the only Marine to receive five Navy Crosses. He led Marines in some of the bloodiest battles of World War II, including Guadalcanal and Peleliu, the names of which forever speak of the Marines’ exploits and sacrifices. In the Korean War, Puller was again assigned as commander of the 1st Marines, which he led to a landing at Inchon on September 15, 1950, earning his Silver Star in the process. He was given the Distinguished Service Cross from the Army for action from November 29 to December 5 of that same year, and his fifth Navy Cross for action during December 5–10 at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. It was during that battle when he made the famous quote: "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things."

[Vendome]

use this video game from the 70's as the controller

[A Navy Vet]

That photo makes me outraged every time I see it. I don’t care if their boat inadvertently drifted into Iranian waters, those sailors should have fought to their deaths. It would have happened in my day (75-86). Nowadays seems like they think they are on a pleasure cruise or just enlist for benefits. Tell that to the thousands of sailors who fought and lost their lives in WWII.

[A Navy Vet]

A warrior’s warrior.

[Vaduz]

The new Iranian gunboats have glass bottoms so they can see the old Iranian gunboats.

[GOPJ]

Iran and China a teaming up... but Iran’s delusional if they think China’s gonna jump in (at this point) to save their worthless butts... Maybe later - not now. So sink a few for all of us...

[A Navy Vet]

"In the Korean War, Puller was again assigned as commander of the 1st Marines, which he led to a landing at Inchon on September 15, 1950, earning his Silver Star in the process. He was given the Distinguished Service Cross from the Army for action from November 29 to December 5 of that same year, and his fifth Navy Cross for action during December 5–10 at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. It was during that battle when he made the famous quote: "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things."

I never heard or read about Puller being awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross" by the Army. Was that not the top award at the time for Army? And FIVE Navy Crosses!!! How can any one man earned Five? I need to read a book about this man. Any suggestions on which book?

[Obadiah]

I’m ex-military and that is exactly why it outrages me. And, if it can be imagined, what further infuriates me are the pictures of these “sailors”, some female, sobbing while in captivity. My gosh, we have come a long way from Normandy.

[elteemike]

MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS)...

Employed “with extreme prejudice”...

Remember the USS Cole...

[elteemike]

Please allow me to suggest Marine! The Life of Chesty Puller by Burke Davis...

There are a few others, but this is the one I’ve read...You might like it...

Chesty Puller might have even been too “bad-ass” for Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children...

[Mastador1]

Lock heat seekers on all of them along with the transmitted message U.S. Navy invites you to meet with Davy Jones.