Terrorist Attack on USS Cole
USS Cole (DDG-67) is an Arleigh Burke-class, Aegis guided missile destroyer home ported in Norfolk, Va. Cole, built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc., was launched on 10 February 1995 and commissioned on 8 June 1996. At 11:18 a.m. on October 12, 2000 while the Cole was pulling into the port of Aden, Yemen for refueling, the ship was attacked by a small boat laden with explosives. The blast created a 40-foot hole in the port side of the ship’s hull. Casualties included 17 killed and 39 wounded.
In a statement given shortly after the event, the commanding officer of the Cole, CDR Kirk Lippold said;
When the explosion occurred, the immediate actions of the crew saved this ship and saved the lives of many, many of of the crewmembers onboard. The courageousness that was shown by them was unbelievable. They have worked non-stop since then. You can be proud of every single Sailor aboard this ship. They have done their part now. They have done their part every single minute since it happened and I know that they will continue to do it.
USS Cole Memorial Webpage
In a statement given shortly after the event, the commanding officer of the Cole, CDR Kirk Lippold said;
When the explosion occurred, the immediate actions of the crew saved this ship and saved the lives of many, many of of the crewmembers onboard. The courageousness that was shown by them was unbelievable. They have worked non-stop since then. You can be proud of every single Sailor aboard this ship. They have done their part now. They have done their part every single minute since it happened and I know that they will continue to do it.
