Front Burner Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  USS COLE—KILLED IN ACTION

  USS COLE—WOUNDED IN ACTION

  Introduction

  Chapter 1 - Destination USS Cole

  Chapter 2 - Deployment to the Middle East

  Chapter 3 - A “Routine” Refueling Stop

  Chapter 4 - Attacked

  Chapter 5 - Saving the Ship

  Chapter 6 - Saving the Wounded

  Chapter 7 - The Bucket Brigade

  Chapter 8 - Assessing the Damage

  Chapter 9 - Recovering the Fallen

  Chapter 10 - Recovering From Stress

  Chapter 11 - Underway Again

  Chapter 12 - M/V Blue Marlin and USS Tarawa

  Chapter 13 - Investigation and Responsibility

  Chapter 14 - The Long Journey Home

  Epilogue

  APPENDIX

  NOTES

  INDEX

  Copyright Page

  Mom, Dad, and Kelly

  Through a family’s love all things are possible

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  FIRST AND FOREMOST, a ship is a reflection of its crew. In a singular moment in time, USS Cole and its crew became part of the Navy’s history and long heritage of unswerving devotion to our nation and the freedom of its citizens. The war on terror started with us. All the sailors of USS Cole chose a life of consequence in service to the nation and are heroes for what they endured that horrific day and in the weeks that followed. Those who lost their lives will always be remembered in our thoughts and prayers. It is my honor to have been given the unique and humbling opportunity to command the officers and crew of USS Cole.

  The writing of Front Burner has been a long overdue, painstaking process, not just of capturing in writing the heroic acts of a crew as they saved USS Cole and their shipmates, but also a reckoning for me in facing up to what happened to my ship and crew as the sole accountable officer—the Captain. For years I pecked away at the story, constantly outlining and reworking the project in my mind. It wasn’t until after retirement that I felt ready to begin addressing the challenge in earnest. For years, people throughout the Navy, Department of Defense, FBI and NCIS, and elsewhere gave me information, paperwork, documentation, pictures, confidential insight into conversations, and material that slowly allowed me to flesh out the larger and more detailed picture of what really happened before, during, and after the attack. To each of those who quietly contributed but must remain anonymous, you have my deepest gratitude and thanks.

  Immediately after the attack, I was quietly encouraged to retire and—like many in the military who had undergone a unique experience—pump out a book and leverage the experience for financial gain. My sense of dedication and desire to continue to serve the nation thankfully stopped me from giving in to that temptation to make an insincere career change. While I gave serious consideration to writing in 2002 when my career appeared derailed, thanks to some very sage advice and counsel from a great friend and Naval Academy classmate, Rear Admiral Frank Thorp, USN (Ret), I chose to forego a book then and instead continue my military service. The Front Burner I might have written years ago would never have measured up to the book it is today.

  I also owe a great deal to another classmate, Captain Stephen Metz, USN (Ret). Reacquainted again when he was selected to oversee the demanding task of reconstructing USS Cole, Steve also became my most stalwart and vocal source of encouragement for continuing my career following the attack. I will always appreciate his friendship and unwavering support as a sounding board for my ideas, frustrations, and plans for the future.

  As time went on and especially following retirement, there was a growing sense that what had happened to USS Cole and the crew was being lost; not just relegated to history, but truly lost, with no actual accounting of what happened. Over the years, the crew and I were approached by a number of interested authors, but none pursued the project past the talking stage. The pressure to write began to hound me more and more. Why I felt that I had to be the one to capture the event, in my own words and from my unique vantage point as the CO, remains unexplained even to myself, but I felt that without that perspective, the full scope and context of how the Navy reacted to the event would never receive the full examination it needed. The attack on USS Cole was an act of war. It was also an inexcusable intelligence failure on the part of the U.S. government. Sadly, neither the Navy nor the nation did anything to respond and the wheels of the nation’s destiny were set into motion, culminating in the attacks of September 11 eleven months later.

  When I finally did decide to capture that moment in our nation’s history, I quickly realized that, as a naval officer, I did not really know how to write a book. I felt overwhelmed and not up to the task. Thanks to Captain Mike McDaniel, USN (Ret), and some brilliant historians at the Navy’s History and Heritage Command, specifically, Randy Papadopoulos, Robert Schneller, John Sherwood, and Jeffrey Barlow: they convinced me that I had what it took to write a book. I will always be particularly thankful to Randy, who became my first editor and gave me those initial frank critiques that helped form the basis of what eventually became Front Burner. I will always be grateful for their faith and confidence in me to do what few have done successfully in making history come alive.

  As I began to write, the telling became the reliving, and with it came the familiar anxiety that accompanied the experience itself. Many times, I pushed away from the desk unable to write another word. Reliving the challenges and horrors of the event minute by minute, second by second sometimes proved too much to deal with. Still, I kept at it—the story had to be told.

  While this is my story, it is by no means the definitive account. More can and should be told by those who feel drawn to share their perspective and experience with others. Before my journey into writing began, I had been introduced to Peter Osnos, the founder of PublicAffairs. For this telling, he paired me with a superb journalist, Bruce Nelan, who showed an amazing capacity to draw out the story in a series of interviews that I used extensively in writing my account. Throughout my fits and starts putting pen to paper, Peter showed a remarkable and unwavering confidence in my ability to write a powerful account of the attack. His patience over the intervening years is a testament to his commitment. While my ability to survive the attack may have come from years of at-sea experience, it is because of Peter that Front Burner is finally a reality for people to share in.

  It wasn’t easy, though. I will never forget his comment to me after I turned in the initial draft. “Kirk, here’s the reality of your situation. You have given us a great narrative that has superb documentation, and you are a very good naval officer, but that doesn’t necessarily make you a good storyteller!” While both of us got a good laugh, it was through his introduction to his friend Craig Whitney, a retired foreign correspondent and editor, that Front Burner truly came alive. It is through Craig’s unsurpassed skill and ability that he could take my lengthy prose and deftly help me craft it into the story you will soon read. It may be my story but it is his skill in the art of writing that showed me how to bring out the events surrounding USS Cole in a way that puts that life-changing event and its searing images at the forefront of history and the war on terror.

  I also learned that no finished book is the work of just a few individuals. I owe a great deal of thanks to those who helped me make the book a successful reality in the unfamiliar world of publishing, including Susan Weinberg, Brandon Proia, Jaime Leifer, Anais Scott, and Collin Tracy. I also owe a great deal of thanks to Theresa Yates. Her skill as a transcriptionist and her ability to listen to sometimes very emotional and powerful descriptions of what happened to individual crew members as they recounted an
d shared their experiences with me gave her a profound insight into what happened to us.

  In an insightful moment of introspection, I came to realize that had I not been given the tools gained over eighteen years of experience, there was no way I could have led my crew through that event. Those experiences were best learned from the commanding officers I was privileged to serve under throughout my career, including Captain Robert Powers, USN, Captain Andrew Fosina, USN, Captain Carl Anderson, USN, Rear Admiral Phillip Dur, USN, Vice Admiral John Morgan, USN, Captain Lyal Davidson, USN, Captain John Russack, USN, and Captain Paul Schultz, USN, all retired. Without their leadership and astute experience to guide me in how to manage and lead, I would have never been able to keep my crew motivated and ship afloat when the burden of command weighed most heavily on me.

  In command of USS Cole, I was also blessed with a phenomenal squadron commodore, Captain Mike Miller, USN (Ret), whose confidence in me put the pieces in place for our future success and survival in an unforeseen combat scenario. I will always be grateful for his quiet and incisive counsel and hands-off approach to leading the COs in Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two. His relief, Captain Gary Holst, USN (Ret), also gave similar latitude in leading the COs in his charge.

  USS Cole is afloat today thanks to the myriad forces that came together after the attack to support our survival. In particular, I am grateful to two of my squadron mates, Rear Admiral J. Scott Jones, USN, and Captain Matthew Sharpe, USN, who provided for my crew, supported visits to their ships of not only the crew but the investigative teams as well, and were kind enough to allow me the opportunity to share my thoughts with them when they visited the ship. To all those who participated in Joint Task Force Determined Response, know that each of you had a hand in history and should be proud of your contribution in keeping USS Cole from becoming a trophy for the terrorists who sought its destruction. Bravo Zulu and well done.

  It also cannot go without mention that without the dedicated work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the terrorists would never have been held accountable for their heinous act. In particular, Don Sachtleben, Mark Whitworth, Tom O’Connor, Kevin Finnerty, John Adams, Cathy Clements, and Mike Martz made contributions above and beyond the call of duty both on USS Cole and in the years that followed.

  Captain Barbara “Bobbie” Scholley, USN (Ret), Chief Warrant Officer Frank Perna, and the divers of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit Two faced the difficult task of recovering our shipmates with a steely resolve as they also ensured that damage to USS Cole was properly assessed in preparation for making the ship seaworthy to leave port. Ken Baggett and the volunteer shipyard workers from Norfolk Naval Shipyard also demonstrated an uncanny ability to adapt to our circumstances, and with gritty determination helped us keep USS Cole afloat. Each of them is a hero in their own right for their contribution to history.

  Lastly, there is one person who stood beside me from before the moment of the attack until Front Burner was complete, Nicole Segura. As the person closest to me, she has truly kept me grounded and focused on never losing sight of what it means to serve the nation and honor my crew. Her friendship and support helped me appreciate and enjoy some of the highest moments of service and get past the darkest moments of my life. Nicole gave me the encouragement to stretch myself and grow beyond what I thought possible.

  Now, with Front Burner a reality, it is my hope that a crew of heroes who survived the crucible of combat will at last be recognized for what they did to live up to the example of USS Cole’s namesake, Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, USMC, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry in the battle of Iwo Jima.

  USS COLE—KILLED IN ACTION

  In Memoriam

  May their sacrifice for our freedom

  never be forgotten

  Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter

  Hull Maintenance Technician Second Class

  21, Mechanicsville, Virginia

  Richard Dean Costelow

  Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer

  35, Morrisville, Pennsylvania

  Lakeina Monique Francis

  Mess Management Specialist Seaman

  19, Woodleaf, North Carolina

  Timothy Lee Gauna

  Information Systems Technician Seaman

  21, Rice, Texas

  Cherone Louis Gunn

  Signalman Seaman

  22, Rex, Georgia

  James Rodrick McDaniels

  Seaman

  19, Norfolk, Virginia

  Marc Ian Nieto

  Engineman Second Class

  24, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

  Ronald Scott Owens

  Electronic Warfare Technician Second Class

  24, Vero Beach, Florida

  Lakiba Nicole Palmer Seaman

  22, San Diego, California

  Joshua Langdon Parlett

  Engineman Fireman

  19, Churchville, Maryland

  Patrick Howard Roy

  Fireman

  19, Cornwall on Hudson, New York

  Kevin Shawn Rux

  Electronic Warfare Technician First Class

  30, Portland, North Dakota

  Ronchester Manangan Santiago

  Mess Management Specialist Third Class

  22, Kingsville, Texas

  Timothy Lamont Saunders

  Operations Specialist Second Class

  32, Ringgold, Virginia

  Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.

  Fireman

  26, Rockport, Texas

  Andrew Triplett

  Lieutenant (junior grade)

  31, Macon, Mississippi

  Craig Bryan Wibberley

  Seaman

  19, Williamsport, Maryland

  USS COLE—WOUNDED IN ACTION

  Short of being killed, there is no sacrifice greater than those who bleed for the freedom of their nation, for they know the price of war.

  Disbursing Clerk Third Class Adedeji O. Adewunmi

  Electronics Warfare Technician First Class (Surface Warfare) Melvin L. Alston

  Information Systems Technician First Class (Surface Warfare) Larry D. Bloodsaw

  Chief Gas Turbine System Technician (Surface Warfare) Mark P. Darwin

  Mess Management Specialist Third Class Joseph C. Davis

  Electronics Technician Third Class Russell E. Dietz

  Operations Specialist Seaman Timothy S. Eerenberg

  Ship’s Serviceman Second Class (Surface Warfare) Craig B. Freeman

  Electronics Warfare Technician Third Class (Surface Warfare) Johann Gokool

  Fire Controlman First Class (Surface Warfare) Douglas J. Hancock

  Chief Gunners Mate (Surface Warfare) Mark A. Hawkins

  Fire Controlman Third Class Jason S. Hayes

  Senior Chief Fire Controlman (Surface Warfare) John M. Henderson

  Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Frederick H. Ings

  Chief Boatswain’s Mate (Surface Warfare) Eric S. Kafka

  Mess Management Specialist Third Class Elizabeth Lafontaine

  Fire Controlman First Class (Surface Warfare) Tremane N. Lide

  Gas Turbine System Technician First Class (Surface Warfare) Margaret K. Lopez

  Senior Chief Gas Turbine System Technician (Surface Warfare) Keith A. Lorensen

  Seaman Apprentice Edward T. Love

  Gunner’s Mate Third Class Kenya N. McCarter

  Gas Turbine Technician Second Class Robert D. McTureous

  Ship’s Serviceman Third Class Paul P. Mena

  Gas Turbine System Technician Fireman Raymond A. Mooney

  Gas Turbine System Technician Fireman Andrew A. Nemeth

  Damage Controlman Fireman Sean H. Powell

  Operations Specialist Second Class (Surface Warfare) Tiffany N. Putman

  Chief Quartermaster (Surface Warfare) Michael O. Russell

  Postal Clerk Second Class (Surface Warfare) Isadore B. Sims

  Hull Maintenance Technic
ian Third Class Jeremy W. Stewart Seaman Kesha R. Stidham

  Chief Electrician’s Mate (Surface Warfare) Fred C. Strozier

  Storekeeper Second Class (Surface Warfare) Sean L. Taitt

  Fire Controlman First Class David K. Veal

  Chief Fire Controlman (Surface Warfare) Jeffrey M. Vinneau Lieutenant Denise D. Woodfin

  Operations Specialist First Class (Surface Warfare) Alonzo W. Woods

  Introduction:

  Nightmare

  ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2000, the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole, DDG-67, under my command, was attacked while refueling in the harbor of Aden, Yemen, by two suicide bombers who were members of the al Qaeda terrorist network of Osama bin Laden. Because U.S. intelligence had no idea that an al Qaeda cell was present in Aden and planning an attack, we were taken completely by surprise when what we expected to be a garbage-removal barge approached the port side of our ship and blew up. The devastating explosion blasted a hole through the hull amidships, destroying one of the main engine rooms as well as the galley where scores of Cole’s crew were gathered for lunch. The explosion killed seventeen sailors, wounded thirty-seven others, and took the ship out of action.

  If not for intelligence and military failures, the tragedy might have been avoided. As it was, the Navy, my ship, and I were left unprepared to deal with a new kind of terrorist threat that should have become apparent by 1998 at the latest, as a series of coordinated attacks simultaneously destroyed U.S. embassies and killed hundreds of people in Kenya and Tanzania.

  I do not wish to minimize or excuse my own failure as captain to prevent this tragedy. After I oversaw Cole’s return to the United States and turned over command to my successor, I wondered whether continuing a career in the Navy was the wisest choice for me, or if it was even possible. Yet despite my doubts, the highest leaders of my service, the chief of naval operations and the secretary of the Navy, repeatedly insisted that it would be wrong to hold me any more responsible than they and the rest of the chain of command were for what had happened to the ship and the crew. After they made that clear, on the day just before the inauguration of President George W. Bush in January of 2001, I was determined to keep working quietly within the Navy to try to ensure that such an attack could never happen again to another ship, another crew, another captain.