Sailors assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Cole bear a ceremonial wreath as they circle the USS Cole memorial on Naval Station Norfolk on October 12, 2005.

Twenty years ago today, al Qaeda terrorists killed 17 U.S. Navy sailors and injured 39 others in Aden, Yemen. The bombing of the USS Cole shocked much of the nation and was a tragic precursor to the 9/11 attacks that would come less than a year later.

On this solemn anniversary, we honor and remember these 17 American heroes and pray for their families. As President Bill Clinton said shortly after the bombing, “To those who attacked them we say, you will not find a safe harbor. We will find you and justice will prevail. America will not stop standing guard for peace or freedom or stability in the Middle East and around the world.”

• Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, Morrisville, Pennsylvania
• Signalman Seaman Recruit Cheron Luis Gunn, Rex, Georgia
• Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, Norfolk, Virginia
• Seaman Recruit Lakiba Nicole Palmer, San Diego, California
• Operations Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, Ringgold, Virginia
• Ensign Andrew Triplett, Macon, Mississippi
• Seaman Apprentice Craig Bryan Wibberley, Williamsport, Maryland
• Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class, Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, Mechanicsville, Virginia
• Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, Woodleaf, North Carolina
• Information Systems Technician Seaman Timothy Lee Gauna, Rice, Texas
• Engineman 2nd Class Mark Ian Nieto, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
• Electronics Warfare Technician 3rd Class Ronald Scott Owens, Vero Beach, Florida
• Engineman Fireman Joshua Langdon Parlett, Churchville, Maryland
• Fireman Apprentice Patrick Howard Roy, Cornwall on Hudson, New York
• Electronics Warfare Technician 2nd Class Kevin Shawn Rux, Portland, North Dakota
• Mess Management Specialist 3rd Class Ronchester Mananga Santiago, Kingsville, Texas
• Fireman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., Rockport, Texas