USS Stark Memorial

1987 USS STARK MEMORIAL SERVICE

On May 18, 1987, President Ronald Reagan made the following statement.

I have an announcement here that I would like to make that is aimed directly at you of the press. I know and I share the sense of concern and anger that Americans feel over yesterday's tragedy in the Persian Gulf. We have protested this attack in the strongest terms and are investigating the circumstances of the incident. When our investigation of the facts is completed, I will report to the American people about this matter and any further steps that are warranted. For that reason I have convened a meeting of the National Security Planning Group to review the entire situation in the Persian Gulf.

In the meanwhile, I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families of the brave men killed and injured yesterday aboard the U.S.S. Stark. Their loss and suffering will not be in vain. The mission of the men of the U.S.S. Stark, safeguarding the interests of the United States and the free world in the Gulf, remains crucial to our national security and to the security of our friends throughout the world. The hazards to our men and women in uniform in the defense of freedom can never be understated. The officers and crew of the U.S.S. Stark deserve our highest admiration and appreciation. And I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for their prompt assistance in responding to the stricken U.S.S. Stark.

This tragic incident underscores the need to bring the Iran-Iraq war to the promptest possible end. We and the rest of the international community must redouble our diplomatic efforts to hasten the settlement that will preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Iran and Iraq. At the same time, we remain deeply committed to supporting the self-defense of our friends in the gulf and to ensuring the free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

Also on May 18, 1987, the Assistant to the President for Press Relations, Marlin Fitzwater, issued the following statement on the Attack Against the U.S.S. Stark.

President Reagan met with the National Security Planning Group in the Situation Room from 2:30 until 3:45 this afternoon to discuss the status of the attack on the U.S.S. Stark in the Persian Gulf. The President has ordered a higher state of alert for U.S. vessels in the area.

The belligerents in the war, Iran and Iraq, will be formally notified today of this change in status. Under this status, aircraft of either country flying in a pattern which indicates hostile intent will be fired upon, unless they provide adequate notification of their intentions. The administration will consult with Congress on these changes and related issues.

We have issued a vigorous protest to the Government of Iraq. We have noted the profound regrets issued by the Iraqi Ambassador in the name of his Foreign Minister and Iraqi President Saddam Husayn. However, we are awaiting official notification of this statement. We expect an apology and compensation for the men who died in this tragic incident. We also seek compensation for the ship. The President shares the sense of concern and anger that Americans feel at this time. We will monitor the situation on a continuing basis.

On May 19, 1987, the President issued Proclamation 5659 -- Death of American Servicemen on Board United States Ship Stark.

May 19, 1987

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As a mark of respect for the American servicemen who died as the result of the attack on United States Ship STARK, which was struck by a missile on May 17, 1987, while on patrol in the Persian Gulf to keep vital sea-lanes open, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America by section 175 of title 36 of the United States Code, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and Possessions through Monday, Memorial Day, May 25, 1987. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh.

Ronald Reagan

On May 22, 1987, President Ronald Reagan flew to Naval Station Mayport to give a Memorial Service for the families of those killed aboard the USS Stark. Two days before his arrival, the President was speaking with his advisors and he mentioned that he wanted to go to Mayport on Friday. His staff informed him that there were plans already in place to hold meetings and there were other obligations that could not be changed. President Reagan stood firm and told them all, "We are going to Mayport".

Here is the Department of the Navy Itenerary for the families. There was a breakfast at the Chief's club, a private Memorial by the Secretary of the Navy at the Naval Station Chapel, transportation provided to the hangar, and then the Memorial Service by President Reagan followed by a personal greeting by the President and First Lady.

This is the Program Guide from the Memorial Service. The Service began with the National Anthem performed by the Navy Band followed by an Invocation by RADM McNamara, Chief of Navy Chaplains. The Secretary of the Navy, James Webb, gave a speech followed by a prayer from LCDR Kelley, Senior Chaplain, COMDESRON 8. A reading from the Old Testament was read by RADM Kalleres, Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 12 and then a reading from the New Testament by VADM McCauley, Commander, Naval Surface Force US Atlantic Fleet with a Homily by CDR Taylor, Staff Chaplain, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 12. President Ronald Reagan addressed the family in friends with a heartfelt speech and then met with all of the family members in attendance. The Navy Band played the Navy Hymm with vocals sung by LCDR Leverett, Executive Officer, USS Luce DDG-38. Taps was then played with a Benediction by CDR Perry, Chaplain, Naval Station Mayport. The Service ended as the Navy Band continued playing.

After the Service, the President went to Camp David. According to the White House diary, when he got to Camp David at about 3pm, there is no further entry until 8pm when he and the First Lady decided to watch a movie. I like to think that he spent those 5 hours with Nancy in private as they mourned the loss of our servicemen. A couple of days later, he spent time signing letters to the families. Here is one of the letters. These were personally signed by the President himself, not by an autopen.

On May 23, 1987, the President issued Proclamation 5662 -- National Day of Mourning for the Victims of United States Ship Stark.

May 23, 1987

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every year, in the beautiful springtime, the American people pause on a special day to pay the heartfelt tribute of love and remembrance to all the sons and daughters of our land who have laid down their lives on the altar of liberty. This year, our Memorial Day remembrance is tinged with fresh sorrow as we honor and mourn the brave men taken from us a short week ago.

No words of ours can pay them the full tribute that is their due: their service, sacrifice, and love of country crown their memory on this day of grief and will do so as long as there is an America that defends freedom and honors its heroic champions. Let us pay tribute, then, to the dead and injured of United States Ship STARK by making their faithfulness and courage and love our own, ever and always. Without Americans like them, there would be no land of the free and no home of the brave; because of Americans like them, the lamp of liberty burns on undimmed, unvanquished, and unquenchable.

In solemn recognition of the valiant crew members of United States Ship STARK who lost their lives or were injured, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 290, has designated May 25, 1987, as ``National Day of Mourning for the Victims of the U.S.S. STARK'' and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Monday, May 25, 1987, as National Day of Mourning for the Victims of United States Ship STARK. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh.

Ronald Reagan

On May 26, 1987, the sailors killed aboard the USS Stark arrived at Dover Air Force Base. The flag-draped coffins were met by the Chief of Naval Operation, Admiral C.A.H. Trost, USN. A small ceremony was held in the hangar with the Navy Band playing the National Anthem. A welcome message and prayer was provided by Chief of Chaplains, RADM J.R. McNamara, USN with remarks provided by the CNO. RADM McNamara also performed the Benediction. Music performed by the Navy Band marked the closing of the Service.

This is the letter that my mother, Jean Brown, sent to all of our family and friends thanking them for their prayers and their messages of support. As the Secretary of an elementary school, all of the teachers and students made hundreds of hand-made cards showing their support that I still have to this day. She also asks for everyone to continue to pray for the servivors. I'm sure that every family felt the same.

While the Stark was still moored alongside the USS Acadia AD-42 for repairs, a group of shipmates created a plaque honoring the 37 sailors lost. This plaque hung in a passageway aboard the Stark for all crewmembers to see.

On June 26, 1987, the USS Yosemite AD-19, created a bronze Memorial plaque to be mounted on Pier Bravo Two at Naval Station Mayport. It was eventually moved to the Memorial Park at Naval Station Mayport.

On August 1, 1987, the Navy League of the United States, Jacksonville Beaches - Mayport Florida Council, sent a letter to the families for their involvement in creating the bronze plaque that was mounted on Pier Bravo Two at Naval Station Mayport. The letter also asked the staff at Destroyer Squadron Eight (DESRON 8) to include a program guide of the ceremony.

August 8, 1987 was a day that couldn't come soon enough. This is the day that the USS Stark came home from deployment. About a month prior, half of the crew flew home so that they could go on leave. Upon arrival in Mayport, the early crew boarded a boat to meet the Stark a few miles off the coast so that the crew that sailed the Stark home, could change into their whites and "man the rails" as the ship came into the harbor. When the Stark left the Persian Gulf, the USS Stephen W Groves (FFG-29) provided escort duties due to the Stark not being able to defend herself. This day was also their homecoming. "A Heroes' Salute" was celebrated by all of Mayport. The program guide includes letters from the Mayor of Jacksonville, Thomas Hazouri; Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group 12, Rear Admiral M.P. Kalleres; Commander Destroyer Squadron Eight, Captain T.O Gabriel; and Commanding Officer, Naval Station Mayport, Captain John Mitchell Jr.

In November, the families were sent a letter from the Department of the Navy. This letter expained the contents being a video tape of the President's Memorial Service at Mayport as well as photos taken of the ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for the arrival of those killed on the USS Stark.