1987 — May 17, USS Stark hit by Iraqi Air Force Mirage missiles, Persian Gulf — 37

— 37  Lednicer. “Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns and Defections…Cold War…” 4-16-2011.

— 37  Naval Historical Center. “FAQs…Casualties: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Personnel…”

— 37  US Navy. “This Day in Naval History — May 17.”

— 37  US Navy, Navy News Service. “USS Stark Sailors Remembered.” 5-19-2010.

 

Narrative Information

 

Lednicer: “17 May 1987 The USS Stark (FFG-31), operating in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war, was struck by two Exocet anti-ship missiles fired from an Iraqi Air Force Mirage F1. The frigate did not detect the incoming missiles with radar and warning was given by a lookout only moments before the missiles struck. The first missile penetrated the ship’s hull on the port side. Its warhead failed to detonate, but the missile spewed flaming rocket fuel in its path. The second missile entered the hull at almost the same point, and left a large gash before exploding in the crew’s quarters. Thirty-seven sailors were killed and twenty-one were injured.”  (Lednicer. “Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns and Defections…Cold War…” 4-16-2011 rev.)

 

US Navy: “1987 – USS Stark (FFG-31) is struck by two Iraqi Exocet Missiles in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 Sailors and wounding 21.” (USN. “This Day in Naval History — May 17.”)

 

US Navy: “While deployed to the Arabian Gulf, the USS STARK is hit by two Iraqi Exocet missiles but only one of them detonates. Both missiles were accidentally fired by an Iraqi F-1 Mirage aircraft, killing 37 sailors and wounding 21 others. The pilot later claims that he had mistaken the STARK for an Iranian oil tanker.

 

“The STARK suffers heavy damage and could only be saved by the effective damage control efforts of the crew.

 

“After the incident a discussion about the efficiency of the Phalanx CIWS, the SLQ 32 and the Mk 92 Fire Control system started because none of the frigate’s system detected the incoming missiles. An AWACS plane monitoring the area also did not detect the missiles but only the Iraqi fighter aircraft….

 

“The Navy spent $142 Million to repair the USS STARK….” (USN. USS Stark (FFG 31).

 

US Navy News Service: “Mayport, Fla. (NNS) — Naval Station Mayport hosted a memorial ceremony May 17 to honor 37 Sailors killed aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Stark (FFG 31) 23 years ago. On May 17, 1987, while on patrol in the Persian Gulf, tragedy struck in the night when, without warning, two Iraqi missiles slammed into the side of Stark. Despite the severe damage inflicted, Stark’s crew, aided by equipment and fire fighting teams from other units, saved the ship by fighting the fire through the night and into the next day….”

 

Sources

 

Lednicer, David. “Intrusions, Over-flights, Shoot-downs and Defections During the Cold War and Thereafter.” 4-16-2011 revision. Accessed 2-20-2012 at: http://myplace.frontier.com/~anneled/ColdWar.html

 

Naval Historical Center. “Frequently Asked Questions,  Casualties: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Wounded in Wars, Conflicts, Terrorist Acts, and Other Hostile Incidents.”  Washington DC:  Dept. of the Navy. Accessed 11-11-2016 at:  http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/AMH-USNchron.htm

 

United States Navy. “This Day in Naval History — May 17.” Accessed 11-11-2016 at: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=759

 

United States Navy. USS Stark (FFG 31). Accessed 11-11-2016 at: http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG31.HTM

 

United States Navy, Navy News Service. “USS Stark Sailors Remembered.” 5-19-2010. Accessed 11-11-2016 at: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=53446