USS Stark: What really happened? Human error may have triggered the disaster, but questions have been raised about the frigate's electrotechnical defenses

The Navy seaman could see multitudes of stars from his lookout post on the port side of the USS Stark's bridge last May 17 around 9:00 p.m. Activity in the Persian Gulf seemed as placid as the waters. He had no clue that an Iraqi jet fighter less than 25 miles away was targeting the frigate.