LTJG Andrew Triplett (KIA: 12 Oct 2000)

---

ENCM (SW) Andrew Triplett reported to the Halyburton in 1994 as a Leading Chief Petty Officer. While onboard Master Chief Triplett, applied for and was promoted to Ensign as a part of the Navy's Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program. Upon selection he would receive transfer orders where he then reported to the USS Cole stationed at Norfolk Naval Station.
   On 12 October 2000, while the Cole refueled at Aden, Yemen, two al-Qaeda terrorists brought an inflatable Zodiac-type speedboat that carried a bomb alongside the destroyer, port side amidships, and detonated their lethal cargo. The explosion blew a 40-foot wide hole in Cole, but the crew’s valiant damage control efforts saved her.The attack killed 17 Sailors including 31-year-old ENS Andrew Triplett and injured 37 of his shipmates.
ENS Triplett was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Promoted to LT j.g..