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They always say that certain dates stay with people for different reasons. All Americans remember July 4, 1776, and December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001. But for me, I remember another date, February 17, 1988. I can already see members that read this scratching their heads and saying, why that date?

On that date, I was stationed on board the USS Guadalcanal(LPH-7) in Norfolk, VA, and it was just another day……at least I thought it was, till I watched the noontime newscast. I got into my shop just after the news started, and caught the end of the lead story, about another American being taken hostage in Lebanon. I didn’t think much of it until they said the name of the American who was kidnapped. His name was Lt Col. William R Higgins, a US Marine who was stationed in Lebanon as the head of the UN Observer Group, tasked with monitoring the cease fire between rival Christian and Druze factions in southern Lebanon.

He was also, although no one knew it at the time FAMILY. Rich, as he was called was married to another Marine, Major Robin L Higgins, who was my step sister. Since I only caught a fragment of the news, and didn’t believe or really understand what this all meant, I spent the next couple of hours, listening to a transistor radio back on Mt 33(the aft 3’50 gun mount), till I heard a full report of what had taken place. Realizing the gravity of the situation, I called home, and my mom was as much in the dark as I was. I went to my Division Officer(Ens. Garvey) and explained to him what had happened, and how it directly affected me. After the shock wore off his face, we proceeded to speak to the XO, and then quickly were told to see the CO.

The CO, after listening, restricted me to the ship(like I was going anywhere anyway), and started to send messages up the chain of command to Squadron, and 2nd Fleet, who in turn sent more messages to CINCLANTFLT(Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet) and CINCLANT(Commander in Chief, Atlantic). CINCLANT was the Commander in Charge of the ENTIRE east coast of the US and Atlantic ocean. He was one of those guys that can pick up the phone and talk to the President, if he wanted to. That same night at 1am, the first news reporter attempted to contact me on the ship for an interview(thankfully I was asleep). Kinda hard to keep a secret, when your picture in uniform is on your Moms bookcase.

The next morning, I was told to get in my dress uniform, and report to the quarterdeck. From there, the CO, my DIVO, and myself made the short drive over to CINCLANT HQ, Where I met more 3 and 4 star Admirals, than I thought necessary. They officially placed a “gag order” on me, basically told me to do my job and say nothing.

This was the start of a very long 2 year ordeal for my family as day after day, there were news reports and reporters bugging them for interviews and comments. from time to time, I would get requests to speak on camera, which I always turned down. I would go to briefings about every 2 to 3 weeks, and listen to members of the military, and UN and Government, tell me “they had no idea where Rich was being held, but they were doing their best to get him released”. After a while I had heard that line so many times, I told them I didn’t need to hear it again.

On December 13, 1988, I Re-enlisted in the Navy for another 4 years, and Major Robin Higgins was my Re-Enlisting Officer. With my family present, it seemed like a nice way to complete a circle since I had originally joined the military on Rich’s advice. I transfered to the USS Lawrence(DDG-4), where the story took another turn.

While on deployment in the Indian Ocean, a video tape was released by Hezbollah, showing Rich’s lifeless body hanging from a noose. Of course the Battle Group I was with was sent off the Iranian coast. Once again I had to meet with an Admiral(the Battle Group Commander), who wanted to send me home via the Red Cross. I refused, since there wasn’t anything more that I could do at home, and I really wanted payback, if it was going to happen.

Finally on December 23, 1991 on what would have been his and Robins 14th wedding anniversary, Rich’s body was dumped in a Beirut street. On December 30, 1991, His body and that of CIA Station Chief William Buckley were returned to their native soil.

On March 18, 1992, President George Bush awarded Col. Higgins the Presidential Citizens Medal (posthumous). The medal was accepted by his wife, Robin, and daughter, Chrissy. Col. Higgins was also survived by two sisters.

On February 17, 1994, the Secretary of the Navy announced a new Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer would be named for Col. Higgins. On October 4, 1997. the USS Higgins (DDG-76) was christened by Col. Higgins’ widow, Robin Higgins. It was commissioned on April 24, 1999

In April 2003, after over 10 years of trying to have Col. Higgins recognized as a prisoner of war, he was finally posthumously granted a Prisoner of War Medal.

I myself really bristle when the “global war on terror” gets mentioned, people think this started because of 9/11/01. We had been fighting it for close to 20 years prior, and now because of some stupid catch phrase, it is the en vogue thing.

I wonder how my life would have been different if Rich was here today, I wonder if my choices would be the same. I know that some of my anger and moodiness are a direct result of Rich’s kidnapping and subsequent MURDER.

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