WASHINGTON – Nearly six years after the deadly terrorist attack on the USS Cole, the Navy has decided that the officer who was skipper of the ship is not qualified for a promotion that had been in limbo since 2002.
The attack killed 17 sailors and nearly sank the destroyer in Aden harbor, Yemen. A Navy investigation concluded in 2001 that Cmdr. Kirk Lippold and his crew probably could not have prevented the attack and should not be punished.
But in a written statement Monday, the Navy said Secretary Donald Winter concluded after reviewing the matter that Lippold’s actions before the attack on Oct. 12, 2000, “did not meet the high standard” expected of commanding officers.
Based on that assessment, Winter determined that Lippold was “not the best and fully qualified for promotion to the higher grade” of captain, said a Navy spokesman, Cmdr. David Werner.
A Navy promotion board had selected Lippold for promotion to captain in 2002 but he was not confirmed by the Senate, and his status had been in limbo since then. Winter decided to strike Lippold’s name from the promotion list, meaning he will remain at his current rank of commander.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
