USS Cole, USS Cole (DDG 67), Arleigh Burke-class USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Cole Commemoration, Cole Commemoration, Remember 67, Commemoration of Cole Attack, USS Cole Memorial, USS Cole Attack, Cole Bombing, Cole Attack, Cole Terrorists, Cole Memorial, Cole Remember 67
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USS Cole Commemoration
#Remember67




USS Cole (DDG 67) was attacked by terrorists the morning of Oct. 12, 2000, while moored for refueling in the Port of Aden, Yemen. Seventeen Sailors were killed and 37 more were injured.

 

Commemoration Events

Commemoration events are scheduled to remember and honor the 20th anniversary of the 17 Sailors who were killed in the attack, the Gold Star families, and the crew who so valiantly fought to save their ship and return it to service. Due to the COVID-19 environment and implementing safe distancing requirements, events will be shown virtually.  

 




Roll of Remembrance

Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter

Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, 21
Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class
Mechanicsville, Virginia

Richard Costelow

Richard Costelow, 35
Chief Electronics Technician
Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Lakeina Monique Francis

Lakeina Monique Francis, 19
Mess Management Specialist Seaman
Woodleaf, North Carolina

Timothy Lee Guana

Timothy Lee Gauna, 21
Information Systems Technician Seaman
Rice, Texas

Cherone Louis Gunn

Cherone Louis Gunn, 22
Signalman
Rex, Georgia

James Rodrick McDaniels

James Rodrick McDaniels, 19
Seaman
Norfolk, Virginia

Marc Ian Nieto

Marc Ian Nieto, 24
Engineman 2nd Class
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Ronald Scott Owens

Ronald Scott Owens, 24
Electronics Warfare Technician 2nd Class
Vero Beach, Florida

Lakiba Nicole Palmer

Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22
Seaman
San Diego, California

Joshua Langdon Parlett

Joshua Langdon Parlett, 19
Engineman Fireman
Churchville, Maryland

Patrick Howard Roy

Patrick Howard Roy, 19
Fireman
Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York

Kevin Shawn Rux

Kevin Shawn Rux, 30
Electronics Warfare Technician 1st Class
Portland, North Dakota

Ronchester Manangan Santiago

Ronchester Manangan Santiago, 22
Mess Management Specialist 3rd Class
Kingsville, Texas

Timothy Lamont Saunders

Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32
Operations Specialist 2nd Class
Ringgold, Virginia

Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.

Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr., 26
Fireman
Rockport, Texas

Andrew Triplett

Andrew Triplett, 31
Lt. j.g.
Macon, Mississippi

Craig Bryan Wibberley

Craig Bryan Wibberley, 19
Seaman
Williamsport, Maryland








 

COLE VIDEOS


default play button
Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Louis Staats

USS Winston S. Churchill commemorates the 20th anniversary of the attack on USS Cole

  • U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet
  • Oct. 12, 2020 | 2:40

201012-N-PS962-1001 GULF OF ADEN (Oct. 12, 2020) – The guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) commemorates the 20th anniversary of the attack on the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) with Sailors manning the rails and a 21-gun salute from the Mark 45 5-inch gun while operating in the Gulf of Aden, Oct. 12. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Louis Thompson Staats IV)




USS COLE FACT FILE

 


USS Cole Fact File
 

LIVE EVENT
United States Navy Memorial   |   Washington, D.C.  |   Monday, Oct. 12, 2020

GUEST SPEAKER
Vice Adm. James Kilby, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities

 








 


    

 

​The 17 stars represent the 17 Sailors killed. The three large stars represent the three grenades used by Sgt. Darrell S. Cole at the Battle of Iwo Jima, where his conspicuous gallantry earned him the Medal of Honor. The USS Cole is sailing from left to right, signifying moving forward. The words "Remember," because we can never forget the heroism and toughness of the crew. The number "67" that represents the ship's hull number.
 




 

USS Cole Memorial

The USS Cole Memorial dedication ceremony was conducted at Naval Station Norfolk Virginia on Oct. 12, 2001, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack in Aden, Yemen. The memorial honors the 17 sailors who were killed in the attack and the crew for their heroic actions to save the ship. The memorial design began as a vision of USS Cole crewmembers. The memorial, through contributions from across the country, is a gift of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to the Navy.

MEMORIAL SYMBOLOGY

  • Seventeen granite slabs represent the Sailors who were killed in the attack. The low level of these markers represent the youthfulness of the Sailors whose lives were cut short.

  • Three raised granite bands represent the three colors of the American flag that flew proudly on the USS Cole during the attack. The two outer brass plaques memorialize the crew's service and sacrifice.

  • The monolith points upward, symbolizing the hope and brightness of the future for USS Cole and its crew.

  • The circular pavers surround the granite slabs are brown in color, symbolic of the darkness and despair which prevailed over the ship and its crew during the first days following the explosion.

  • The shrub bed is symbolic of the ever growing determination and strength of U.S. naval forces to defend America's interests and the cause of freedom throughout the world.

  • The 28 black pine trees surrounding the memorial represent the 17 Sailors who lost their lives and the 11 children they left behind.

  • Reflecting the difficult journey from loss to reaffirmation, a pathway of 170-feet winds from the memorial entrance to its center point. 

  • The center plaque on the monolith contains a rendition of the Cole coat of arms that is precisely 10-inches tall by 7-inches wide, totaling 17. The phrase beneath the coast of arms, "In Lasting Tribute to their Honor, Courage and Commitment," is nine words on eight lines -- again totaling 17.

  • ​As a reminder that the crew's ultimate goal is the mission accomplishment of their ship, a relief of the ship's crest is placed above all other plaques. 


 

COLE STORIES


 
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