Part 1 of Essay
The mournful shoot down of an Iranian airliner by the USS VINCENNES on July 3, 1988 is a tragic example of the consequences of a break down in command and control on a modern naval vessel. Given the situation and information available at the time that the airliner was approaching the Vincennes, I believe that the Captain ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... these events was the missile attack on the USS STARK that killed more than 30 if her crew in May of 1987. Another important event was the laying of mines in international waters by Iran, which lead to the USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS striking a mine and taking serious damage in early 1988. These events were probably still fresh in Captain Rodgers mind then he received word from the USS MONTGOMERY that they were tracking several Iranian gunboats the might be attacking a neutral tanker. It is my opinion that Captain Rod ....