Cole Wounded Come Home, Memorial Service Planned

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2000 -- Thirty-three sailors wounded
in the terrorist attack on the destroyer USS Cole in Aden,
Yemen, returned Oct. 15 to Norfolk, Va.

Six more sailors wounded in the attack are still in Germany
and will return when their condition improves, Navy
officials said.

The remains of five killed in the attack returned Oct. 14.
Navy officials said 10 sailors remain missing and are
presumed dead. They said they expect to recover the remains
of all the dead by Oct. 19.

The Navy announced a memorial service Oct. 18 at the ship's
home port of Norfolk. President Clinton and Defense
Secretary William S. Cohen are scheduled to attend.

In Aden, three U.S. Navy ships arrived to help. The frigate
USS Hawes, the oiler USS Camden and another Arleigh Burke-
class destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, are now at the
harbor. The crews of the ships are providing watch relief,
harbor security and food services, Navy officials said. The
Camden is providing further logistical support. Officials
said the USS Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group is en route from
Bahrain and should be in Aden in two days.

In addition, two Marine Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Teams
are on site. One group of 50 Marines arrived Oct. 13 from
Qatar and the second group arrived Oct. 15 from the United
States, Pentagon officials said.

The Burke-class Cole lost power over the weekend. The power
outage allowed another compartment to flood.

"When we lost power, we lost the ability to operate pumps,"
said Navy spokesperson Lt. Jane Alexander, adding the power
is again working and flooding is controlled. "The ship is
not in danger of sinking."

The investigation into the terrorist attack continues. The
FBI is working with Navy investigators and State Department
officials to collect evidence.

No group has taken responsibility for the attack on the
Cole, officials said.