Glenn R. Brindel
Encyclopedia
Captain Glenn R. Brindel, was the Commanding officer
of and was in command when the ship was attacked
and struck by two Exocet
missiles in the Persian Gulf
on May 17, 1987. The incident review board, led by Rear Admiral Grant Sharp, recommended he be court-martial
ed for his actions. However, he was relieved of command and given non-judicial punishment
by Adm. Frank B. Kelso II
, commander of the Atlantic fleet. According to the New York Times, in 1987 he received a letter of reprimand
and elected to retire early. He had not served as a Captain long enough to retire at that grade, so he had to retire at the grade of Commander
. However, the U.S. Naval Register lists Brindel as retiring October 2, 1990 as a Captain. 37 sailors were killed in the attack.
near Pittsburgh
, was born in 1943 and was 43 at the time of the attack. Brindel was commissioned in 1965 after graduating from Pennsylvania State University
. He served as weapons officer on USS Garrett County (LST-786)
from October 1965 to March 1967 during part of Operation Game Warden
. He received his first command in 1973, and received medals for bravery during the Vietnam War, including the Bronze Star
, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Meritorious Service Medal
. He had served as an instructor at the United States Naval Academy
for more than three years until 1978. He was the executive officer
of for two years starting in 1978. After that, he served two years with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
working on the staff of the director of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. Then he served two years as a project manager with the Naval Sea Systems Command
. He took command of Stark in June 1984.
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of and was in command when the ship was attacked
USS Stark Incident
The USS Stark Incident occurred during the Iran-Iraq War on May 17, 1987 when an Iraqi jet aircraft fired missiles at the American frigate USS Stark. Thirty-seven United States Navy personnel were killed and twenty-one others were wounded...
and struck by two Exocet
Exocet
The Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Hundreds were fired in combat during the 1980s.-Etymology:...
missiles in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
on May 17, 1987. The incident review board, led by Rear Admiral Grant Sharp, recommended he be court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
ed for his actions. However, he was relieved of command and given non-judicial punishment
Nonjudicial punishment
Non-judicial punishment in the United States military, is a form of military justice authorized by Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Non-judicial punishment or "NJP" permits commanders to administratively discipline troops without a court-martial...
by Adm. Frank B. Kelso II
Frank B. Kelso II
Frank Benton Kelso II is a retired admiral of the United States Navy, who served as Chief of Naval Operations in the early 1990s.-Early life:...
, commander of the Atlantic fleet. According to the New York Times, in 1987 he received a letter of reprimand
Letter of reprimand
A letter of reprimand is a United States Department of Defense procedure involving a letter to an employee or soldier from his or her superior that details the wrongful actions of the person and the punishment that can be expected...
and elected to retire early. He had not served as a Captain long enough to retire at that grade, so he had to retire at the grade of Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
. However, the U.S. Naval Register lists Brindel as retiring October 2, 1990 as a Captain. 37 sailors were killed in the attack.
Background
Brindel, a native of Dormont, PennsylvaniaDormont, Pennsylvania
Dormont is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 8,593 at the 2010 census and is the most densely populated municipality in Allegheny County. Dormont is a home to a diverse population including young professionals,...
near Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, was born in 1943 and was 43 at the time of the attack. Brindel was commissioned in 1965 after graduating from Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
. He served as weapons officer on USS Garrett County (LST-786)
USS Garrett County (LST-786)
USS Garrett County was an built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Garrett County, Maryland, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name....
from October 1965 to March 1967 during part of Operation Game Warden
Operation Game Warden
Operation Game Warden, Task force 116, was an operation to deny Viet Cong access to the resources in the Mekong Delta which was conceived of in December 1965. U.S. naval forces, backed by Marine artillery on the ground, launching a rapid surprise attack on the dozens of small Viet Cong ports which...
. He received his first command in 1973, and received medals for bravery during the Vietnam War, including the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
. He had served as an instructor at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
for more than three years until 1978. He was the executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
of for two years starting in 1978. After that, he served two years with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
working on the staff of the director of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. Then he served two years as a project manager with the Naval Sea Systems Command
Naval Sea Systems Command
The Naval Sea Systems Command is the largest of the U.S. Navy's five "systems commands," or materiel organizations...
. He took command of Stark in June 1984.