Mayport remembers 37 killed during USS Stark attack

By Beaches1 on Wednesday, May 18, 2016
  • The restored stern plate from the USS Stark is displayed during Tuesday's ceremony. The plate was donated by Janna Ryals, whose brother, Seaman Earl Ryals, lost his life aboard the Stark on May 17, 1987. (photo by Chelsea Wiggs)
    The restored stern plate from the USS Stark is displayed during Tuesday's ceremony. The plate was donated by Janna Ryals, whose brother, Seaman Earl Ryals, lost his life aboard the Stark on May 17, 1987. (photo by Chelsea Wiggs)
A remembrance ceremony was held Tuesday at Naval Station Mayport to honor those killed aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Stark nearly 30 years ago. While on patrol in the Arabian Gulf on May 17, 1987, 37 sailors aboard the Stark were killed when two Iraqi missiles struck. Despite the severe damage caused, the heroic efforts of the Stark's crew saved the ship, which was decommissioned in…

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