And We'll Keep Coming Back

(June 8, 2006)—The USS Cole set sail Thursday for the Middle East as one of seven ships deploying for security operations in the war on terrorism.

It’s the Cole’s first mission to the region since a boat full of explosives hit the ship in October 2000, killing 17 sailors.

Though none of the crew who served during the attack remain aboard, sailors aboard the ship get a daily reminder of the deadly attack. The floor in a corridor leading to the dining area has 17 gold stars, one for each sailor killed when terrorists bombed the Cole during refueling in Yemen.

The 17 sailors:

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