U.S.S. Cole Bombing

On October 12, 2000, two suicide bombers piloted a rubber boat next to the U.S.S. Cole, in port in Aden, Yemen, and blew a 40-by-60-foot hole in the side of the 505-foot American naval destroyer. The blast killed 17 U.S. sailors and wounded 39 others on board. Most experts agree that the attack was orchestrated by Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terror network.

The Cole had entered the harbor of Aden to refuel. The crew moored the ship to a buoy and began the refilling process. Within 45 minutes, a small explosive-laden rubber craft positioned itself at the Cole's side. The two men on the boat waved to the men on deck, then detonated the many pounds of explosives.

Within a few hours, U.S. agents were en route to Yemen to begin what would become a very strained and lengthy search ...