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{{Short description|Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
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{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}} {|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox Ship Image {{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=] |Ship image=]
|Ship caption=USS ''Stark'' (FFG-31) |Ship caption=USS ''Stark'' (FFG-31)
}} }}
{{Infobox Ship Career {{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= |Hide header=
|Ship country=US |Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1999}} |Ship flag={{USN flag|1999}}
|Ship name= |Ship name=''Stark''
|Ship namesake=] ]
|Ship namesake=
|Ship owner=
|Ship operator=
|Ship registry=
|Ship route=
|Ship ordered= |Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded= |Ship awarded=23 January 1978
|Ship builder=], ] |Ship builder=], ]
|Ship original cost= |Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number= |Ship yard number=
|Ship way number= |Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=] ] |Ship laid down=24 August 1979
|Ship launched=] ] |Ship launched=30 May 1980
|Ship sponsor= |Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened= |Ship christened=
|Ship completed= |Ship completed=
|Ship acquired= |Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=] ] |Ship commissioned=23 October 1982
|Ship recommissioned= |Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=] ] |Ship decommissioned=7 May 1999
|Ship maiden voyage= |Ship maiden voyage=
|Ship in service= |Ship in service=
|Ship out of service= |Ship out of service=
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|Ship reclassified= |Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit= |Ship refit=
|Ship struck=] ] |Ship struck=7 May 1999
|Ship reinstated= |Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport={{Ship Homeport MAY}} (former) |Ship homeport=] (former)
|Ship identification= |Ship identification=
* ]: FFG-31
* ]: NHPA
* {{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Hotel}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Alpha}}
|Ship motto=''Strength for Freedom'' |Ship motto=''Strength for Freedom''
|Ship nickname= |Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=
|Ship honors= |Ship honors=
|Ship captured= |Ship fate=Scrapped 2006
|Ship fate=Disposed of by scrapping - dismantled ], ]
|Ship status=
|Ship notes= |Ship notes=
|Ship badge= |Ship badge={{Dodseal|FFG-31|149}}
}} }}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics {{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header= |Hide header=
|Header caption=<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0731.htm |title=USS Stark (FFG 31) |publisher=Navsource.org |access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref>
|Header caption=
|Ship class= |Ship class={{Sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}}
|Ship type=
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement={{OHP frigate displacement}} |Ship displacement={{OHP frigate displacement}}
|Ship length={{OHP frigate length short hull}}
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{OHP frigate length}}
|Ship beam={{OHP frigate beam}} |Ship beam={{OHP frigate beam}}
|Ship height= |Ship draft={{OHP frigate draft}}
|Ship draught={{OHP frigate draft}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=
|Ship power= |Ship power=
|Ship propulsion={{OHP frigate propulsion}} |Ship propulsion={{OHP frigate propulsion}}
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed={{OHP frigate speed}} |Ship speed={{OHP frigate speed}}
|Ship range={{OHP frigate range}} |Ship range={{OHP frigate range}}
|Ship endurance= |Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement={{OHP frigate complement}} |Ship complement={{OHP frigate complement}}
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors={{OHP frigate sensors}} |Ship sensors={{OHP frigate sensors}}
|Ship EW=] |Ship EW=]
|Ship armament={{OHP frigate armament}} |Ship armament={{OHP frigate armament}}
|Ship armour=
|Ship armor= |Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=2 &times; ] helicopters |Ship aircraft=1 × ]
|Ship aircraft facilities= |Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes= |Ship notes= Short deck variant, no towed array
}} }}
|} |}


'''USS ''Stark'' (FFG-31)''', twenty-third ship of the ] of guided-missile ]s, was named for Admiral ] (1880–1972). In 1987, it became the victim of the only successful ] attack on a U.S. Navy warship. '''USS ''Stark'' (FFG-31)''' was the 23rd ship of the {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|4}} of guided-missile ]s and was named after Admiral ] (1880–1972). Ordered from ] in ], on 23 January 1978, ''Stark'' was ] on 24 August 1979, ] on 30 May 1980, and ] on 23 October 1982. In 1987, an ] at ''Stark'', killing 37 U.S. sailors on board. Decommissioned on 7 May 1999, ''Stark'' was scrapped in 2006.<ref name="nhhc1">{{cite news |title=Stark (FFG-31) |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/stark--ffg-31-.html |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command |date=16 March 2017}}</ref>

Ordered from ], ] on ] ] as part of the ]78 program, ''Stark'' was laid down on ] ], launched on ] ], and commissioned on ] ], CDR Terence W. Costello commanding. Decommissioned on ] ], ''Stark'' was scrapped in 2006.


==Missile attack== ==Missile attack==
{{main|USS Stark incident}}
''Stark'' was deployed to the ] in 1984 and 1987. Captain ] was the ] during the 1987 deployment. The ship was struck on ], ], by two ] antiship missiles fired from an ]i ] fighter during the ]. The fighter had taken off from Shaibah at 20:00 and had flown south into the ]. The fighter fired the first Exocet missile from a range of 22.5 nautical miles, and the second from 15.5 nautical miles, at about the time the fighter was given a routine radio warning by the ''Stark''.<ref name=kelley-0706>{{citation|url=http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/theses/kelley07.pdf|format=PDF|title=Better Lucky Than Good: Operation Earnest Will as Gunboat Diplomacy|author=Stephen Andrew Kelley|date=June 2007|publisher=]|accessdate=2007-11-09}}</ref> The frigate did not detect the missiles with radar and warning was given by the lookout only moments before the missiles struck.<ref name="DoD_report"></ref> The first penetrated the port-side hull; it failed to detonate, but spewed flaming rocket fuel in its path. The second entered at almost the same point, and left a 3-by-4-meter gash—then exploded in crew quarters. Thirty-seven sailors were killed and twenty-one were injured.<ref name="DoD_report"/>
USS ''Stark'' was deployed to the ] in 1984 and 1987. Captain ] was the ] during the 1987 deployment. The ship was struck on 17 May 1987 by two ] anti-ship missiles during the ] fired from an Iraqi aircraft officially identified as a ] fighter,<ref name="DoD_report"></ref> The Reagan administration attributed the blame to Iran for its alleged belligerence in the underlying conflict.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bacevich |first=Andrew |title=America's War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History |year=2016 |publisher=Random House}}</ref> The plane had taken off from ], Iraq at 20:00 and had flown south into the ]. The pilot fired the first Exocet missile from a range of {{convert |22.5 |nmi |km}}, and the second from {{convert|15.5|nmi|km}}, just about the time ''Stark'' issued a standard warning by radio.<ref name=kelley-0706>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/theses/kelley07.pdf |title=Better Lucky Than Good: Operation Earnest Will as Gunboat Diplomacy |author=Stephen Andrew Kelley |date=June 2007 |publisher=] |access-date=9 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823062402/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/theses/kelley07.pdf |archive-date=23 August 2007 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The frigate did not detect the missiles with radar; warning was given by the lookout only moments before the missiles struck.<ref name="DoD_report"/> The first penetrated the port-side hull and failed to detonate, but left flaming rocket fuel in its path. The second entered at almost the same point, and, leaving a {{convert |3 |by |4 |m |ft |0 |adj=on |sp=us}} gash, exploded in crew quarters. The missiles killed 37 sailors and injured 21.<ref name="DoD_report"/>


] ] missiles.]]
No weapons were fired in defense of ''Stark''. The ] remained in standby mode, ] countermeasures were not armed, and the attacking Exocet missiles and Mirage aircraft were in a blindspot of the defensive ] (Separate Target Illumination Radar) fire control system, preventing use of the ship's ] defenses. The ship failed to maneuver to bring its weapons batteries to bear prior to the first missile impact.<ref name="DoD_report"/> No weapons were fired in defense of ''Stark''. The autonomous ] remained in standby mode,<ref> {{dead link|date=September 2023}}</ref> ] countermeasures were not armed until seconds before the missile hit. The attacking Exocet missiles and Mirage aircraft were in a blindspot of the STIR ] director (Separate tracking and illumination Radar, part of the ]), and the ] Mk 75 ], but in the clear for the MK 92 CAS (Combined Antenna System, primary search and tracking radar of the Mk 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System) and the Mk 13 Mod 4 single-arm launcher. The ship failed to maneuver to bring its Mk 75 to bear before the first missile hit.<ref name="DoD_report"/>


On fire and listing, the frigate was brought under control by its crew during the night. The ship made its way to ] where, after temporary repairs by the tender ] to make her seaworthy, she returned to her home port of ], under her own power. The ship was eventually repaired at ] in ] for $142 million. On fire and listing, the frigate was brought under control by its crew during the night. The ship made its way to ] where, after temporary repairs by the ] {{USS|Acadia|AD-42|6}} to make her seaworthy,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://headmuscle.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/a-stark-reminder-2/ |title=A Stark Reminder |last=Chuck |date=31 May 2010 }}</ref> she returned to her home port of ], under her own power. The ship was eventually repaired at ] in ] for $142 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1987-11-04 |title=USS Stark Sails To Mississippi For Repairs |url=https://apnews.com/article/b94a67938b0cf68c2c186e72a387b060 |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=AP News}}</ref>


] ]
The question of whether or not Iraqi leadership authorized the attack is still unanswered. Initial claims by the Iraqi government (that ''Stark'' was inside the Iran–Iraq War zone) was shown to be false, so the motives and orders of the pilot remain unanswered. Though American officials claimed he had been executed, an ex-Iraqi Air Force commander since stated that the pilot who attacked ''Stark'' was not punished, and was still alive at the time.<ref> {{cite book|last=Fisk|first=Robert|title=The Great War For Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East|year=2005|publisher=Knopf Publishing}}</ref> It is unknown whether Iraqi leaders authorized the attack. Initial claims by the Iraqi government that ''Stark'' was inside the Iran–Iraq War zone were shown to be false. The motives and orders of the pilot remain unanswered. American officials have claimed he was executed, but an ex-Iraqi Air Force commander later said that the pilot who attacked ''Stark'' was not punished, and remained alive.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fisk |first=Robert |title=The Great War For Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East |url=https://archive.org/details/greatwarforcivil00fisk_0 |url-access=registration |year=2005 |publisher=Knopf Publishing|isbn=9781400041510 }}</ref> According to Jean-Louis Bernard, author of "Heroes of Bagdad" T1 (Editions JPO 2017), the pilot, Abdul Rhaman, not only was not punished, but would have received the medal of bravery at the end of 'a joint Iraqi-American commission of inquiry.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bernard|first=Jean-Louis|title=Les héros de Bagdad: Tome 2, Les débuts du Mirage F1, et l'aventure du Super-Etendard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=znjZzQEACAAJ |year=2020|publisher=Editions Jean-Pierre Otelli|isbn=978-2-37301-131-9}}</ref>{{page needed|date=April 2021}} His subsequent defection is not mentioned in this book. Jean-Louis Bernard also confirms the use of a Falcon 50 during this action.{{clarify|date=May 2021|reason="subsequent defection" needs clarification and support}}
Citing lapses in training requirements and lax procedures, the U.S. Navy's board of inquiry relieved Captain Brindel of command and recommended him for ], along with tactical action officer Lieutenant Basil E. Moncrief. Instead, Brindel and Moncrief received ] from ] ] and ]. Brindel opted for early retirement while Moncrief resigned his commission after only eight years of service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/4dd26be262aab7b7f9f5404dc46d1111|title = Two Officers Accept Blame in Frigate Attack, Will Leave Service|website = ]}}</ref> The ], ] Raymond Gajan Jr., was detached for cause and received a letter of admonition.<ref>{{cite news |work=The New York Times |title=Navy Forgoes Courts-Martial for Officers of Stark |url= https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DD1439F93BA15754C0A961948260 |date=28 July 1987 |first=John H. |last=Cushman Jr}}</ref>

Citing lapses in training requirements and lax procedures, the board of inquiry relieved Captain Brindel of command and recommended him for ], along with Tactical Action Officer ] Basil E. Moncrief. Instead, Brindel and Mondrief received non-judicial punishment from ] ] and letters of reprimand. Both opted for early retirement, while ], ] Raymond Gajan Jr. was detached for cause and received a letter of admonition.<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Navy Forgoes Courts-Martial for Officers of Stark|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DD1439F93BA15754C0A961948260 |date=]}}</ref>


==1990s== ==1990s==
''Stark'' was part of the Standing Naval Forces Atlantic Fleet in 1990 before returning to the Middle East Force in 1991. She was attached to ] in 1993 and took part in ] and ] in 1994. In 1995, she returned to the Middle East Force before serving in the Atlantic in 1997 and in 1998. ''Stark'' was part of the Standing Naval Forces Atlantic Fleet in 1990 before returning to the Middle East Force in 1991. ''Stark'' was attached to ] in 1993 and took part in ] and ] in 1994. In 1995, ''Stark'' returned to the Middle East Force before serving with the Standing Naval Forces, Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) in 1997 and in 1998.


''Stark'' was decommissioned on ], ]. A scrapping contract was awarded to Metro Machine Corp. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on ], ]. The ship was reported scrapped on ], ].<ref>]. . Accessed ], ].</ref> ''Stark'' was decommissioned on 7 May 1999. A scrapping contract was awarded to Metro Machine Corp. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 7 October 2005. The ship was reported scrapped on 21 June 2006.<ref>]. {{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=FFG31|title=STARK (FFG 31)}}. Retrieved 4 April 2007.</ref> Her stern plate was saved and donated to ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lopez |first1=Michael |title=Mayport, Fla., remembers fallen shipmates at Stark Memorial |url=http://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2016/05/20/mayport-fla-remembers-fallen-shipmates-at-stark-memorial/ |publisher=Aerotech News and Review |date=20 May 2016 }}</ref>


==Casualties== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
]
{{Naval Vessel Register|{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=FFG31}}}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; line-height:130%;"
|-
!colspan="3"| USS ''Stark'' casualties
|-
| SN Doran H. Bolduc, <br />Lacey, WA
| RMSA Dexter D. Grissett, <br />Macon, GA
| FCCS Robert L. Shippee, <br />Adams Center, NY
|-
| BM1 Braddi O. Brown, <br />Calera, AL
| FC3 William R. Hansen, <br />Reading, MA
| SMSA Jeffrey C. Sibley, <br />Metairie, LA
|-
| FC3 Jeffrey L. Calkins, <br />Richfield Springs, NY
| GMG3 Daniel Homicki, <br />Elizabeth, NJ
| OS3 Lee Stephens, <br />Pemberton, OH
|-
| SN Mark R. Caouette, <br />Fitchburg, MA
| OSSN Kenneth D. Janusik, Jr., <br />Clearwater, FL
| BM2 James R. Stevens, <br />Visalia, CA
|-
| SN John A. Ciletta, Jr., †<br />Brigantine, NJ
| OS3 Steven E. Kendall, <br />Honolulu, HI
| ET3 Martin J. Supple, <br />Jacksonville, FL
|-
| SR Brian M. Clinefelter, <br />San Bernadino, CA
| EMCS Stephen Kiser, <br />Elkhart, IN
| ET1 Gregory L. Tweady, <br />Champaign, IL
|-
| OS3 Antonio A. Daniels, <br />Greeleyville, SC
| SM1 Ronnie G. Lockett, <br />Bessemer, AL
| ET3 Kelly R. Quick, <br />Linden, MI
|-
| ET3 Christopher DeAngelis, †<br />Dumont, NJ
| GMM1 Thomas J. MacMullen, <br />Darby, PA
| SN Vincent L. Ulmer, <br />Bay Minette, AL
|-
| IC3 James S. Dunlap, <br />Osceola Mills, PA
| EW3 Charles T. Moller, <br />Columbus, GA
| EW3 Joseph P. Watson, <br />Ferndale, MI
|-
| STGSN Steven T. Erwin, †<br />Troy, MI
| DS1 Randy E. Pierce, <br />Choctaw, OK
| ET3 Wayne R. Weaver, II, <br />New Bethlehem, PA
|-
| RM2 Jerri B. Farr, <br />Charleston, SC
| SA Jeffrei L. Phelps, <br />Locust Grove, VA
| OSSN Terrance Weldon, <br />Coram, NY
|-
| QMCS Vernon T. Foster, <br />Jacksonville, FL
| GM3 James Plonsky, <br />Van Nuys, CA
| IC2 Lloyd A. Wilson, <br />Summerville, SC
|-
|
| SMSN Earl P. Ryals, †<br />Boca Raton, FL
|
|-
|colspan="3" align="center"| † Buried in ]
|}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
*{{cite book |author=Levinson, Jeffrey L. and Randy L. Edwards |title=Missile Inbound |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1997 |isbn=1-55750-517-9}}
*{{cite book|
*{{cite book |author=Wise, Harold Lee |title=Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf 1987–88 |url=http://www.insidethedangerzone.com |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-59114-970-5}}
author=Levinson, Jeffrey L. and Randy L. Edwards|
*{{cite book |last1=United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services |title=Report on the Staff Investigation into the Iraqi Attack on the USS Stark of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, First Session |date=1987 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C.}}
title=Missile Inbound|
location=Annapolis | publisher=Naval Institute Press|
year=1997|
isbn=1-55750-517-9}}
*{{cite book|
author=Wise, Harold Lee|
title= |
location=Annapolis | publisher=Naval Institute Press|
year=2007|
isbn=1-59114-970-3}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commonscat|USS Stark (FFG-31)}} {{Commons category|USS Stark (FFG-31)}}
* *
*Host page for PDF version of report: *Host page for PDF version of report:
* page on the USS Stark * page on the USS ''Stark''
* *{{navsource|07/0731|USS Stark (FFG-31)}}
* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131222541/http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id344.htm |date=31 January 2010 }}
* *
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614151553/http://thestory.org/archive/search_media?review_state=published&start.query:record:list:date=2008-05-15%2023:59:59&start.range:record=max&end.query:record:list:date=2008-05-15%2000:00:00&end.range:record=min&month:int=5&year:int=2008 |date=14 June 2012 }}
*
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609232457/http://thestory.org/archive/search_media?review_state=published&start.query:record:list:date=2008-06-09%2023:59:59&start.range:record=max&end.query:record:list:date=2008-06-09%2000:00:00&end.range:record=min&month:int=6&year:int=2008 |date=9 June 2012 }}


{{Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}} {{Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Stark (FFG-31)}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Stark (Ffg-31)}}
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Latest revision as of 15:34, 27 September 2024

Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate

USS Stark FFG-31USS Stark (FFG-31)
History
United States
NameStark
NamesakeAdmiral Harold Raynsford Stark
Awarded23 January 1978
BuilderTodd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington
Laid down24 August 1979
Launched30 May 1980
Commissioned23 October 1982
Decommissioned7 May 1999
Stricken7 May 1999
HomeportNaval Station Mayport (former)
Identification
MottoStrength for Freedom
FateScrapped 2006
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeOliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
Displacement4,100 long tons (4,200 t), full load
Length445 feet (136 m), overall
Beam45 feet (14 m)
Draft22 feet (6.7 m)
Propulsion
Speedover 29 knots (54 km/h)
Range5,000 nautical miles at 18 knots (9,300 km at 33 km/h)
Complement15 officers and 190 enlisted, plus SH-60 LAMPS detachment of roughly six officer pilots and 15 enlisted maintainers
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys		AN/SLQ-32
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × SH-2F LAMPS I
NotesShort deck variant, no towed array

USS Stark (FFG-31) was the 23rd ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates and was named after Admiral Harold Raynsford Stark (1880–1972). Ordered from Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, on 23 January 1978, Stark was laid down on 24 August 1979, launched on 30 May 1980, and commissioned on 23 October 1982. In 1987, an Iraqi jet fired two missiles at Stark, killing 37 U.S. sailors on board. Decommissioned on 7 May 1999, Stark was scrapped in 2006.

Missile attack

Main article: USS Stark incident

USS Stark was deployed to the Middle East Force in 1984 and 1987. Captain Glenn R. Brindel was the commanding officer during the 1987 deployment. The ship was struck on 17 May 1987 by two Exocet anti-ship missiles during the Iran–Iraq War fired from an Iraqi aircraft officially identified as a Dassault Mirage F1 fighter, The Reagan administration attributed the blame to Iran for its alleged belligerence in the underlying conflict. The plane had taken off from Shaibah, Iraq at 20:00 and had flown south into the Persian Gulf. The pilot fired the first Exocet missile from a range of 22.5 nautical miles (41.7 km), and the second from 15.5 nautical miles (28.7 km), just about the time Stark issued a standard warning by radio. The frigate did not detect the missiles with radar; warning was given by the lookout only moments before the missiles struck. The first penetrated the port-side hull and failed to detonate, but left flaming rocket fuel in its path. The second entered at almost the same point, and, leaving a 3-by-4-meter (10 by 13 ft) gash, exploded in crew quarters. The missiles killed 37 sailors and injured 21.

Stark listing following two hits by Exocet missiles.

No weapons were fired in defense of Stark. The autonomous Phalanx CIWS remained in standby mode, Mark 36 SRBOC countermeasures were not armed until seconds before the missile hit. The attacking Exocet missiles and Mirage aircraft were in a blindspot of the STIR fire control director (Separate tracking and illumination Radar, part of the Mk 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System), and the Oto Melara Mk 75 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun, but in the clear for the MK 92 CAS (Combined Antenna System, primary search and tracking radar of the Mk 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System) and the Mk 13 Mod 4 single-arm launcher. The ship failed to maneuver to bring its Mk 75 to bear before the first missile hit.

On fire and listing, the frigate was brought under control by its crew during the night. The ship made its way to Bahrain where, after temporary repairs by the destroyer tender USS Acadia to make her seaworthy, she returned to her home port of Naval Station Mayport, under her own power. The ship was eventually repaired at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi for $142 million.

A view of external damage to the port side.

It is unknown whether Iraqi leaders authorized the attack. Initial claims by the Iraqi government that Stark was inside the Iran–Iraq War zone were shown to be false. The motives and orders of the pilot remain unanswered. American officials have claimed he was executed, but an ex-Iraqi Air Force commander later said that the pilot who attacked Stark was not punished, and remained alive. According to Jean-Louis Bernard, author of "Heroes of Bagdad" T1 (Editions JPO 2017), the pilot, Abdul Rhaman, not only was not punished, but would have received the medal of bravery at the end of 'a joint Iraqi-American commission of inquiry. His subsequent defection is not mentioned in this book. Jean-Louis Bernard also confirms the use of a Falcon 50 during this action. Citing lapses in training requirements and lax procedures, the U.S. Navy's board of inquiry relieved Captain Brindel of command and recommended him for court-martial, along with tactical action officer Lieutenant Basil E. Moncrief. Instead, Brindel and Moncrief received non-judicial punishment from Admiral Frank B. Kelso II and letters of reprimand. Brindel opted for early retirement while Moncrief resigned his commission after only eight years of service. The executive officer, Lieutenant Commander Raymond Gajan Jr., was detached for cause and received a letter of admonition.

1990s

Stark was part of the Standing Naval Forces Atlantic Fleet in 1990 before returning to the Middle East Force in 1991. Stark was attached to UNITAS in 1993 and took part in Operation Uphold Democracy and Operation Able Vigil in 1994. In 1995, Stark returned to the Middle East Force before serving with the Standing Naval Forces, Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) in 1997 and in 1998.

Stark was decommissioned on 7 May 1999. A scrapping contract was awarded to Metro Machine Corp. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 7 October 2005. The ship was reported scrapped on 21 June 2006. Her stern plate was saved and donated to Naval Station Mayport.

References

  1. "USS Stark (FFG 31)". Navsource.org. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  2. "Stark (FFG-31)". Naval History and Heritage Command. 16 March 2017.
  3. ^ Formal Investigation into the Circumstances Surrounding the Attack of the USS Stark in 1987
  4. Bacevich, Andrew (2016). America's War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History. Random House.
  5. Stephen Andrew Kelley (June 2007). "Better Lucky Than Good: Operation Earnest Will as Gunboat Diplomacy" (PDF). Naval Postgraduate School. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2007. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Navy Jag Corps
  7. Chuck (31 May 2010). "A Stark Reminder".
  8. "USS Stark Sails To Mississippi For Repairs". AP News. 4 November 1987. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  9. Fisk, Robert (2005). The Great War For Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East. Knopf Publishing. ISBN 9781400041510.
  10. Bernard, Jean-Louis (2020). Les héros de Bagdad: Tome 2, Les débuts du Mirage F1, et l'aventure du Super-Etendard. Editions Jean-Pierre Otelli. ISBN 978-2-37301-131-9.
  11. "Two Officers Accept Blame in Frigate Attack, Will Leave Service". Associated Press.
  12. Cushman Jr, John H. (28 July 1987). "Navy Forgoes Courts-Martial for Officers of Stark". The New York Times.
  13. Naval Vessel Register. STARK (FFG 31). Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  14. Lopez, Michael (20 May 2016). "Mayport, Fla., remembers fallen shipmates at Stark Memorial". Aerotech News and Review.

Public Domain This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.

Further reading

  • Levinson, Jeffrey L. and Randy L. Edwards (1997). Missile Inbound. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-517-9.
  • Wise, Harold Lee (2007). Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf 1987–88. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-970-5.
  • United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services (1987). Report on the Staff Investigation into the Iraqi Attack on the USS Stark of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, First Session. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

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