On October 10, 2024, Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Wilfredo Cerezo-Rodriguez and Logistics Specialist 1st Class Robert Jordan laid a wreath at the USS Cole Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia. The wreath was laid in honor of the 24th anniversary of the Oct. 12, 2000 terrorist attack that killed 17 sailors aboard the USS Cole (DDG 67) in Aden Harbor, Yemen.
On October 12, 2000, al-Qaeda terrorists detonated a bomb alongside the Cole while it was refueling, causing severe damage and loss of life. Despite the attack, the crew’s efforts saved the ship. The attack highlighted the evolving nature of global terrorism and led to improved naval defenses, including enhanced force protection training and increased vigilance against small boat threats.
The USS Cole Memorial at Naval Station Norfolk was dedicated on October 12, 2001, as a lasting tribute to the sailors who perished in the line of duty. Each year, the Navy holds a remembrance ceremony to honor their service and sacrifice.
The Cole’s storied history continues to inspire as it reminds the Navy and its allies of the resilience and bravery of the crew that defended the ship against overwhelming odds. The attack became a pivotal moment in U.S. Navy history, influencing naval policies and procedures in the years that followed, including global force protection initiatives and increased training for sailors to defend against unconventional threats.
Please take a moment to honor the sailors who were lost in the USS Cole attack and their families: Andrew Triplett, Richard Costelow, Kevin Rux, Kenneth Clodfelter, Mark Nieto, Ronald Owens, Timothy Saunders, Ronchester Santiago, Lakeina Francis, Timothy Gauna, Cherone Gunn, James McDaniels, Lakiba Palmer, Joshua Parlett, Patrick Roy, Gary Swenchonis, and Craig Wibberley. Along with the 17 fallen, 37 of their shipmates also suffered physical injuries.