I was stationed onboard USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), and had gotten qualified for a number of Engineering watches. One afternoon, October 12, 2000, as we were exiting the Arabian Gulf, I was standing watch as EPCP Operator. We were trailing shaft as we were getting rather low on fuel.

Suddenly, the OOD comes over the bitch box and orders us to come to full power. All of us in CCS were wondering WTF? But, the OOD ordered it, so our EOOW called down to MER1 and MER2, telling them to make preps to start the 3 GTMs not currently running. Once they were ready, my buddy GSMC F. (note - editor deleted last name), the PACC Operator, started those turbines. We clutched them in and told the bridge that full power was available. The Lee Helmsman in the bridge called up a Flank bell, so we answered.

At that point, our CO came over the 1MC to tell us that the USS Cole had been attacked while in Aden Harbor in Yemen while getting fuel, that we were the closest US Navy ship and we were headed there at best possible speed for Rescue and Assistance. I was relieved from the EPCP to start getting our R&A equipment staged.

I spent a total of 45 days onboard Cole working to keep her afloat then standing watches so her personnel could get off the ship.

We then escorted the SS Blue Marlin, a heavy lift ship which was carrying Cole, down around the tip of Africa and across the Atlantic to Pascagoula where she underwent repairs.

3 things I will never forget from that evolution. 1, the smell of death (the Sailors trapped in the Galley who couldn't be recovered until they got home), 2, CDR Lippold's decision to keep the American Flag that was flying from the flagstaff in October 12 flying, even as tattered and dirty as it was, and 3, that Donald Cook was supposed to be in the same exact spot on October 14 getting fuel. Chances are better than even that if the terrorists hadn't gotten the attack off on Cole, it would have been my ship 2 days later.

- Andrew J.