Captain Phillips honored in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. - An emotional, and considerably less stressful, reunion was held on board the Norfolk-based USS Bainbridge Thursday. In April, the Bainbridge crew rescued Captain Richard Phillips from pirates.

"It is great to be back on 96 and walk up that gangway and not come via boat or helicopter," said Captain Phillips, at the ceremony in his honor.

The drama unfolded off the coast of Africa. Somali pirates tried to take over the container ship - Maersk Alabama. Captain Phillips offered himself as a hostage to spare his crew. Four pirates took him to a 25 foot life boat, and held Phillips captive for days. Then, on Easter morning, Navy SEALs stood on the fan tail of the Norfolk-based Bainbridge. The SEALs aimed, fired and killed three of the pirates on the lifeboat.

Captain Phillips told the Destroyer's crew that without them, he would not be alive. "You are a dedicated team, you are true patriots. You are the heroes in the story involving me. It's an honor to meet the seamen from the Navy who do such a great job."

His story, and that of the Bainbridge became historic.

"Those five days in April were a life-changing for every single member of my crew and myself," said USS Bainbridge Commander Frank Castellano.

CS2 Hargress was on board."It was a group of 18 of us and we went over to guard the ship to make sure it didn't get overtaken again," said Hargress.

Thursday night, Phillips thanked Hargress along with Navy SEAL Snipers who took down three pirates.

Now safe, rested, and together in Norfolk, Phillips and Bainbridge Commander Frank Castellano accepted gifts from the city and gave the crew coins minted in Norfolk, commemorating the April pirate rescueF

For his heroism, the city of Norfolk presented Phillips with the inaugural National Maritime Valor Award.Captain Phillips joked it felt more like Hollywood than Norfolk.

"I'm just waiting for my children to get old enough so I can explain the story and they can understand it," said Hargress."I hope to finish a book, maybe sign a deal for a movie," said Phillips.

On Wednesday, November 18, there was a second attack on the Maersk Alabama. When Phillips heard the news he said, "It's just something that's not unexpected. The pirates are still there. The situation is still the same as it was the past three years, so it's not surprising at all."