The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Cole was the target of a terrorist attack in Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000 during a scheduled refueling. The attack killed 17 crew members and injured 39 others. Cole was transported from Aden to Pascagoula by the Norwegian heavy transport ship M/V Blue Marlin. A 60 foot by 60 foot patch was welded to the hull of the destroyer before it was off-loaded from Blue Marlin.

On November 3, 2000, Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig welcomed Sailors injured during the attack (see side bar photo). The injured crew members, friends, and family were all on hand to greet the remaining 216 Cole crew members who returned to an emotional welcome at the Naval Station Norfolk. Behind the Secretary is Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Jim Herdt and to the right are Adm. Robert Natter, Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Adm. Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations..

We Remember Them... 17 Who Died

Electronics Technician
Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow
Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Signalman Seaman Recruit
Cherone Louis Gunn
Rex, Georgia

Seaman
James Rodrick McDaniels
Norfolk, Virginia

Seaman Recruit
Lakiba Nicole Palmer
San Diego, California

Operations Specialist Second Class
Timothy Lamont Saunders
Ringgold, Virginia

Ensign
Andrew Triplett,
Macon, Mississippi

Seaman Apprentice
Craig Bryan Wibberley
Williamsport, Maryland

Hull Maintenance Technician Third 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 Second Class
Marc Ian Nieto
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Electronics Warfare Technician Third Class
Ronald Scott Owens
Vero Beach, Florida

Engineman Fireman
Joshua Langdon Parlett
Churchville, Maryland

Fireman Apprentice
Patrick Howard Roy
Keedysville, Maryland

Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class
Kevin Shawn Rux
Portland, North Dakota

Mess Management Specialist Third Class
Ronchester Mananga Santiago
Kingsville, Texas

Firecontrolman
Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.
Rockport, Texas

Click image to enlarge.

Date: Pascagoula, Miss., Dec. 24, 2000
Source: Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny R. Wilson. [001224-N-3580W-540]
Comment: Two tug boats gently push USS Cole (DDG 67) to Pier 4 of the Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., on Dec. 24, 2000. U.S.

Date: Pascagoula, Miss., Dec. 13, 2000
Source: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Leland Comer. [001213-N-6097C-004]
Comment: The guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) arrives at Ingalls east bank facility aboard the Norwegian commercial lift ship M/V Blue Marlin. Once off-loaded the ship will undergo repairs to damage sustained during the Oct. 12 terrorist bombing.

Date: Pascagoula, Miss., Dec. 22, 2000
Source: U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny R. Wilson. [001222-N-3580W-502]
Comment: The guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) receives the final welds on a patch placed on the port side of the ship. Cole will be off-loaded from M/V Blue Marlin in preperation for an extensive repair period after a terrorist attack severly damaged the ship, killing 17 of her crew and injuring 39 others.

Date: November 3, 2000
Source: Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Dolores L. Parloto. [001103-N-5636P-001]
Comment: Navy Richard Danzig welcomed Sailors injured during the attack.