USS STARK

Tuesday, May 17, marks 35 years since two Iraqi missiles struck the USS Stark in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 sailors aboard. Naval Station Mayport held its annual remembrance ceremony to honor those who lost their lives that day.

Monday marks 34 years since an Iraqi missile attack in the Persian Gulf killed 37 sailors aboard the Mayport-based USS Stark.

Naval Station Mayport's Memorial Park was established Aug. 1, 1987, with the dedication of the USS Stark monument. NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – If you see extra activity at Naval Station Mayport next Tuesday or hear gunfire sounds from the base, don’t worry, it’s another military exercise. Base personnel will conduct a small boat exercise within the basin of the installation as part of Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2021. A release from the base pointed out that this is a scheduled exercise and is not in response to any specific threat. Nearby residents may see increased security activity associated with the exercise and hear blank rounds of gunfire.

MAYPORT, Fla. A small memorial ceremony took place at Naval Station Mayport on Sunday to commemorate the USS Stark being hit by Iraqi missiles. The USS Stark was assigned to patrol off the Saudi Arabian coast near the Iran-Iraq war exclusion boundary. Iraqs leader Saddam Hussein apologized and said the pilot mistook the Stark for an Iranian tanker. The following day, the USS Stark arrived in Bahrain, where she was temporarily repaired before setting course for Mayport. On May 22, 1987, President Ronald Reagan delivered a eulogy at Mayport for the 37 who died.