Naval History and Heritage Command

106th Congress
S. Res. 379
2d Session

In the Senate of the United States

October 18, 2000

Whereas the Arleigh Burke class destroyer U.S.S. Cole (DDG-67) was attacked in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000, apparently by terrorists who, by insidious ruse, drew along side the vessel in a small boat containing powerful explosives that detonated next to the hull of the vessel;

Whereas the horrific explosion in that attack resulted in the loss of 17 sailors and injury to another 39 sailors, all of them being members of the Navy serving in the crew of the U.S.S. Cole;

Whereas those sailors who lost their lives made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the United States and the Navy;

Whereas all of the remaining members of the crew of the U.S.S. Cole responded valiantly and courageously to save their ship from sinking from the explosion and, in so doing, proved themselves to be “Determined Warriors,” the motto of their ship; and

Whereas the men and women of the crew of the U.S.S. Cole, like all of the men and women of the Armed Forces, are the current patriots who stand ever vigilant against the attacks of those who seek to undermine peace and stability in an uncertain world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That (a) the Senate memorializes those sailors of the Navy who were lost in the despicable attack on the U.S.S. Cole (DDG-67) on October 12, 2000, in the port of Aden, Yemen, as follows:

(1) Richard Costelow, Chief Electronics Technician, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

(2) Cherone Louis Gunn, Signalman Seaman Recruit, of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

(3) James Roderick McDaniels, Seamen, of Norfolk, Virginia.

(4) Craig Bryan Wibberley, Seaman Apprentice, of Williamsport, Maryland.

(5) Timothy Lamont Saunders, Operations Specialist Second Class, of Ringgold, Virginia.

(6) Lakiba Nicole Palmer, Seaman Recruit, of San Diego, California.

(7) Andrew Triplett, Ensign, of Macon, Mississippi.

(8) Lakeina Monique Francis, Mess Management Specialist, of Woodleaf, North Carolina.

(9) Timothy Lee Gauna, Information Systems Technician Seaman, of Rice, Texas.

(10) Ronald Scott Owens, Electronics Warfare Technician Third Class, of Vero Beach, Florida.

(11) Patrick Howard Roy, Fireman Apprentice, of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York.

(12) Kevin Shawn Rux, Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class, of Portland, North Dakota.

(13) Ronchester Manangan Santiago, Mess Management Specialist Third Class, of Kingsville, Texas.

(14) Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr., Fireman, of Rockport, Texas.

(15) Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, Hull Maintenance Technician Third Class, of Mechanicsville, Virginia.

(16) Mark Ian Nieto, Engineman Second Class, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

(17) Joshua Langdon Parlett, Engineman Fireman, of Churchville, Maryland.

(b) The Senate extends condolences to the members of the families, other loved ones, and shipmates of those devoted sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the United States.

(c) It is the sense of the Senate that all of the people of the United States join the Chief of Naval Operations and the other members of the Navy in mourning the grievous loss of life among the members of the crew of the U.S.S. Cole resulting from the attack on that vessel.

Sec. 2. The Senate – (1) recognizes the loss, sacrifice, valor, and determination of the surviving members of the crew of the U.S.S. Cole; (2) extends sympathy to the 39 sailors of that crew who were injured in the attack on their vessel; and (3) commends the members of the crew for their remarkable performance, professionalism, skill, and success in fulfilling their duties to support and save the U.S.S. Cole following the attack.

Sec. 3. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Chief of Naval Operations, the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Cole, and the family of each member of the United States Navy who was lost in the attack on the U.S.S. Cole (DDG-67) in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000.

Attest:

[signed signature of Gary Sisco]

Secretary.