The United States Navy suffered one of its most shocking peacetime naval disasters on 17 May 1987, when the USS Stark (FFG-31), an Oliver Hazard Perry–class guided-missile frigate, was struck by two Exocet anti-ship missiles fired from an Iraqi Mirage F1 fighter while operating in the Persian Gulf; the attack killed 37 sailors, wounded 21 others, and caused severe damage to the ship, highlighting critical shortcomings in threat detection, rules of engagement, and damage control during a tense pe