Naval Station Mayport remembers 37 comrades, family members in Iraqi attack on USS Stark on May 17, 1987

Peter Weber paused in his reading of some of the names of his fallen USS Stark shipmates. The former boatswain's mate second class took an emotional breath before carefully enunciating the next ones at Naval Station Mayport.

After each name, retired sonar technician James Pair smartly rang a brass bell in honor of those 37 killed when two Iraqi Exocet missiles hit the Navy frigate 35 years ago during patrols in the Persian Gulf.

Memories of the largest loss of life to any U.S. Navy ship based at Mayport during a single attack were everywhere Tuesday morning at the USS Stark memorial at Morse Avenue and Maine street at the naval station. About 250 people, former crew members of the Stark as well as current and retired military, gathered to honor the dead and survivors at the 35th annual memorial.

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Weber well remembers that first missile hit just after he bedded down on May 17, 1987, awoken as a piece of metal hit him in the head.

"An airedale [helicopter pilot] pulled me out of the burning compartment as I was trying to get out," the Rockford, Ill., veteran said. "As we got to the ladder to get to the decontamination station, the second missile hit. It blew us out onto the starboard weather deck. We were just trying to get through the thick black smoke to get some fresh air."

Saying it is a "sober experience" to be at the memorial as well, Richard Coyne also remembers that night when the Iraqui missiles hit. But he also appreciates the ability to see his shipmates each year at their former homeport, never forgetting those 37 lives "that were taken from us."

"It is healing because there are some wounds that you try to hide," the Gulfport, Miss., veteran said. "It is always going to be there. There is never going to come a time when the wounds have healed. But this is just a way to help."

A history worth remembering

The attack occurred just after the lights-out call, with many crewmembers in their bunks on a ship that was halfway through a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf. The first Exocet ripped through the barbershop, post office and part of the chief petty officers' quarters. The resulting fire was so hot it melted bulkheads.

The second missile's explosion engulfed the sleeping quarters. The nighttime attack left a gaping hole in the ship's hull, with multiple fires fought by survivors of the explosion who saved the ship.

A Look Back: 37 killed in attack on Mayport-based USS Stark

Todd Glascock had just left the Stark en route to a new assignment when he heard about the attack on TV at the Navy base in Sigonella, Sicily. As part of the group of shipmates at Tuesday's ceremony, the former ship's mechanic said being at the memorial with his shipmates brings back memories.

"It's pretty therapeutic," Glascock said. "From my standpoint and the guys I left with, we have the guilt that we could have done something. We felt like we abandoned them. It wasn't our fault, but it's how we felt at the time."

After preliminary repairs in Bahrain, the Stark spent 10 months in a Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard. Then it was greeted by a low-key dockside ceremony as it returned home to Mayport in September 1988.

The Stark was decommissioned at Mayport in 1999. The memorial was erected on Aug. 1, 1987, just inside the main gates.

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 memorial was conducted remotely in Georgia and live-streamed. Last year's was at Beaches Veterans Memorial Park next to the American Legion Post 316 at Atlantic Boulevard and Mayport Road.

This year's gathering back on base was called one of the largest to honor the ship and its crew in years. And it is where Ernestine Foster, widow of Quartermaster Senior Chief Petty Officer Vernon Foster Sr., addressed the crowd.

"Those 37 brave heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice for our United States and the nation," she said. "They fought the good fight and they finished their course. ... We must stay in the race, fight a good race and never give up no matter what. Together, we can make a difference."

Calling it "a beautiful day" to remember those lost crew, Capt. Jason Canfield, commanding officer at Mayport, thanked their families.

Remembering: USS Stark shipmates reflect on attack

"I can't begin to imagine the pain, suffering and anguish that has been behind them the past 35 years," he said. "... Know that Naval Station Mayport will continue to pray for your continued strength and healing."

A U.S. Navy honor guard began the ceremony, stopping in front of the ship's bell with the names of the lost inscribed on it near a piece of its hull. As he has in the past, Pair tolled the bell as each name was read. Then family members placed wreaths near a brass memorial inscribed with those names as a rifle salute fired and taps was played.

dscanlan@jacksonvile.com, (904) 359-4549

The USS Stark fallen

Doran Bolduc 

Bradley Brown 

Jeffrey Calkins 

Mark Caouette 

John Ciletta Jr.

Brian Clinefelter 

Antonio Daniels 

Christopher DeAngelis 

James Dunlap 

Steven Erwin

Jerry Farr

Vernon Foster 

Dexter Grisset

William Hansen

Daniel Homicki 

Kenneth Janusik 

Steven Kendall 

Stephen Kiser 

Ronnie Lockett 

Thomas MacMullen 

Charles Moller 

Jeffrey Phelps

Randy Pierce

James Plonsky

Kelly Quick

Earl Ryals

Robert Shippee

Jeffrey Sibley

Lee Stephens

James Stevens

Martin Supple

Gregory Tweady

Vincent Ulmer

Joseph Watson

Wayne Weaver

Terrance Weldon

Lloyd Wilson

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Navy base honors 37 sailors who died in USS Stark attack