Aloha,

   My name is Matt Clark; Im an active duty Navy Chief Petty Officer.  I was doing research on this tragedy when I came across this site.  Ive been aware of this ship, crew and all the hardships they faced for many years.  However, I never knew of all the details you have listed here.  What normally would have taken me 15 minutes to research, took me 4 hours.   I couldnt help reading each and every line you have here.  Im amazed by the courage and the sheer will to live the surviving crew members have.  I cant imagine what these brave men went through and I now realize how much todays Navy has learned and put into place to ensure something like this never happens again.  Thank you for keeping the flame lit on this subject and thank you to all the crew members and their families.  I have a new and much deeper appreciation for those that served on this great fighting ship. 

Respectfully,

Matt Clark