Atlas of Battles

naval engagement, Cold War

Iraqi attack on USS Stark

Iraqi attack on USS Stark was a naval engagement fought on 17 May 1987 at Persian Gulf. It was part of the Tankers War, which ran from 1984 to 1988. The recorded result: Iraqi victory; U.S. frigate severely damaged by Iraqi aircraft. Recorded strength: Sea: 1 frigate; Air: 1 aircraft against 1 aircraft.

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The U.S. Navy guided missile frigate USS Stark (FFG-31) listing to port after being struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile in the Persian Gulf on 18 May 1987.
The U.S. Navy guided missile frigate USS Stark (FFG-31) listing to port after being struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile in the Persian Gulf on 18 May 1987.. U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fought17 May 1987
WherePersian Gulf26.783N, 51.917E
OutcomeIraqi victory; U.S. frigate severely damaged by Iraqi aircraft
BelligerentsUnited StatesagainstBa'athist Iraq
Casualties and losses37 killed; 21 wounded; 1 frigate damagedandNone
Part ofTankers War1984 to 1988

Where it sits in the Tankers War

Action of June 5, 1984, 1984Iraqi attack on USS Stark, 1987Iran–U.S. naval skirmish on 8 October 1987, 1987Operation Praying Mantis, 198819841988Iraqi attack on USS Stark, 1987
4 placed engagements of the Tankers War in time order; taller ticks are more widely documented. Each tick is a link.

Record

Date17 May 1987
PlacePersian Gulf
26.783N, 51.917E
KindNaval engagement, Cold War
StrengthSea: 1 frigate; Air: 1 aircraft1 aircraft
Casualties and losses37 killed; 21 wounded; 1 frigate damagedNone
Commanders
  • Glenn R. Brindel
Iraqi attack on USS StarkIraqi attack on USS StarkBattle off HormuzSiege of BahrainBattle off HormuzSiege of BahrainManamaDammam100 km26.783N, 51.917E
The recorded site, with the nearest other engagements in the atlas. Present-day coastlines, rivers and borders; towns from Natural Earth.

Nearest engagements

In the same war

Elsewhere in 1987

Iraqi attack on USS Stark is one of 2,997 engagements of the 20th century in the atlas.

Sources

Identity, coordinates, dates and the war from Wikidata Q4202311, released under CC0. Result, belligerents, commanders, strength and casualties from the infobox of the English Wikipedia article USS Stark incident, revision 1379271741, read 2026-11-14, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; the article's text is not reproduced here. Present-day country and state from Natural Earth. Dates before 1582 follow the Julian calendar as recorded.