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USS ‘Stark’ as seen from USS ‘Conyngham’ on the morning of May 18, 1987, listing heavily to port. USS ‘Conyngham’ Association photo On May 17, 1987, the U.S. Navy guided missile frigate USS Stark was on a patrol in the central Persian Gulf, about three kilometers outside the Iraq-declared war-zone off the coast of Iran. Around 22.00hrs local time, Stark came under attack from an Iraqi air force fighter jet. Radars on the U.S. warship tracked the aircraft as it approached, and Capt. Glenn R. Brindel ordered his radioman to issue a warning and request the pilot to identify himself....

In 1987, two Iraqi Exocet missiles hit the frigate USS Stark in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 seamen. Iraq apologized for mistaking the ship's identity and the Stark's top officers were reprimanded and retired.

From Wikipedia: Stark was deployed to the Middle East Force in 1984 and 1987. The ship was struck on May 17, 1987, by two Exocet antiship missiles fired from an Iraqi Mirage F1 fighter during the Iran-Iraq War. The fighter had taken off from Shaibah at 20:00 and had flown south into the Persian Gulf. Shortly after being routinely challenged by the frigate around 22:10, the fighter fired two Exocet missiles. The frigate did not detect the missiles, and both struck without warning. The first penetrated the port-side hull; it failed to detonate, but spewed flaming rocket fuel in its...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

MAYPORT NAVAL STATION -- Despite the pomp of the Navy's ceremony decommissioning for the USS Stark, Diana Pierce Ellis could not hold back the tears for her husband and 36 of his shipmates. They died aboard the frigate in 1987 when it was struck by two missiles fired accidentally by an Iraqi jet fighter. ''It's like burying them all over again,'' said Mrs. Ellis. She attended the ceremony Friday putting the warship out of service with her daughter, Randi Lynn, 14, and son Logan, 12, who wears the ship's number, 31, on his T-ball uniform. Her husband, Randy Pierce,...

In 1987, Mark Samples was a hero, honored by the Navy for life-saving bravery aboard the U.S.S. Stark after it was hit by Iraqi missiles. Fourteen years later, court papers say, Samples robbed a Minnesota credit union of nearly $70,000, made his getaway on a bicycle, then spent hours huddled in the Mississippi River, feeling suicidal. His attorney blames post-traumatic stress and depression for Samples' downward spiral, but a plea agreement fell apart Friday over whether the judge could show the former Navy hero some leniency. Defense attorney Robert Richman contends that last May's robbery of the Red Wing Credit...