NOT FORGOTTEN

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

Robert Stethem was a US Navy SEABEE, Steelworker 2nd Class Petty Officer, Diver qualified, returning to the US from a Middle East deployment aboard a commercial airliner, TWA Flight 847.

He was singled out and murdered on June 15, 1985 by Imad Mughniyah, a Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist following the high-jacking of the TWA flight. When the terrorist's demands were not met, Stethem was tortured and shot. His body was dumped onto the tarmac at Beirut, Lebanon in full view of TV cameras.

Stethem was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, POW Medal, Purple Heart and promoted to Constructionman Master Chief.

During this month, 23 years ago, an Aegis Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was commissioned in his honor, USS Stethem (DDG-63).

Many of you may recall seeing the high-jacking, stand-off and murder unfold on the TV news.

 

[fordson]

Thanks Master Chief. I remember the incident. The seeds of our current conflicts in the MidEast and SW Asia were planted then. And actually before that as well...........

 

[TACC1]

Whenever a hijacking occurred after the one you're
talking about, the picture in my mind is still THAT one.
Kinda gives me an attitude towards the bad guys.
Thanks for the reminder,..."lest we forget"
TACC1

 

[woodsltc]

Thanks for the reminder.....I do remember the murder of Petty Officer Stethem and also remember the anger and outrage I felt at the time. Seems there have just been too many of these atrocities to keep track of them all.

To Petty Officer Stethem.....God Bless and R.I.P.


Don

 

[Rustyt1953]

I'm sure most of us remember that horrible scene.

RIP Sailor.

 

[Jessie]

I don't like it but I did in his honor. He deserved better
I remember

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Yes, back in those days a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) was hijacked travelling in the Middle East and selected for execution based on the initials on his business card.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Yeah, then those *** coward terrorists followed that murder up by throwing the wheelchair bound WWII veteran Leon Clinghoffer off the Achille Lauro cruise ship in October 85.

 

[joe44va]

OK... now I'm PO'd again. I wish I could reup, but at 73 they won't take me. But I will vote.

 

[kobsw]

Robert Stethem was a US Navy SEABEE, Steelworker 2nd Class Petty Officer, Diver qualified, returning to the US from a Middle East deployment aboard a commercial airliner, TWA Flight 847.

He was singled out and murdered on June 15, 1985 by Imad Mughniyah, a Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist following the high-jacking of the TWA flight. When the terrorist's demands were not met, Stethem was tortured and shot. His body was dumped onto the tarmac at Beirut, Lebanon in full view of TV cameras.

Stethem was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, POW Medal, Purple Heart and promoted to Constructionman Master Chief.

During this month, 23 years ago, an Aegis Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was commissioned in his honor, USS Stethem (DDG-63).

Many of you may recall seeing the high-jacking, stand-off and murder unfold on the TV news.

May he never be forgotten for his selfless service and may we forever memorialize his heroic bravery in the face of a wanton enemy.

Kobsw

 

[Watchdog]

Robert Stethem was only 24-years-old when he was murdered.

In today's world, where the word "hero" has almost become a cliché, I believe he truly was one. He stood up for what he believed, and refused to kowtow to gun-carrying cowards. Who's to say if any of us would have exhibited that same level of raw courage?

He would have been only 57-years old on November 17 of this year, probably with sons and daughters of his own.

R.I.P.

 

[usmc2427765]

Master Chief, there are people walking this earth that are just a waste of good air. Sadly, this country, at times,seems to forget this. 11 November is coming up and the politicians will all say how wonderful we are and how we need to make sure that their medical needs are met. That is until the votes are cast and they could care less about us. We are just something unpleasant that they have stepped on !!

 

[642_PC]

As soon as I read Robert's name I remembered what happened to him. Thank you for reminding us.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Yea, I also remember that.......

 

[Rudi]

Yeah, I remember. Kind of puts things a proper prospective.

 

[RWJ]

Some will still remember

Until politicians decide to eliminate his memory, some people will see his name everyday, and some will take the time to ask or google his name.......

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Master Chief , thanks for reminding us of that awful and cowardly attack . You seem to bring this and other points of interest to our attention , and I say thanks to folks like you , lest we forget .

Semper Fi