Hank [BS/MSEE,
MSM $$$, Ph.D. Mgmt] teaches 
In a past life, I was Officer In Charge of the FFG-7 Land-Based Test Site in Ronkonkoma, New York. Our purpose in life was to get the kinks out of a new Combat Systems that was slated for the new FFG-7 class of Frigates. One of my crew members was a First Class Fire Control Technician named Robert Shippee. Robert [NOT Bob] was a tall, serious sailor, who did his job without question. In addition to be an outstanding Petty Officer, he was my friend.
Robert was reassigned to the USS Stark (FFG-31), twenty-third ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates. As a Navy Commander, I was part of laying the keel and almost had the ship completed at Todd Shipyard Seattle before I retired October 1, 1982. She was commissioned later that month. The ship was struck on May 17, 1987, by two Exocet antiship missiles fired from an Iraqi Mirage F1 fighter during the Iran-Iraq War. Thirty-seven sailors were killed and twenty-one were injured.
Robert was one of the casualties. On this day, I remember Senior Chief Shippee. Hank
R.I.P Robert Shippee
Thank you Robert for the work you led, so that I could have a future.
My Grandfather was an Officer in the Navy for nearly 8 years. It’s a shame one of your friends died serving our great country!
Thank you for serving our country and protecting us. Thank you to everyone out there trying to protect our country and our lives.
My apologies, I understand how it feels to lose someone in those kinds of conditions.