USS Cole bombing survivor dies

HOMESTEAD, Fl. - PO3 Johan Gokool survived one of the worst terrorist attacks against the United States. He was aboard the USS Cole in October 2000 when Al-Qaeda operatives detonated a bomb as the Norfolk-based ship sat in the Port of Aden in Yemen.

Gokool lost 17 shipmates that day. His own injuries were severing: doctors amputated one of his legs.

Now, more than 9 years after that deadly day, Gokool too is a fallen hero. A published report points to a panic attack associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the cause of death.

Gokool had been looking forward to finishing college according to John Clodfelter, of Mechanicsville, who lost his son in the Cole attack.

Reached by phone Sunday, Clodfelter recalled speaking with Gokool several months ago.

"It's just unbelievable," he said, "he was such a young guy and even after having lost half of one of his legs, you know, he was very upbeat about things and wanting to go to college to go ahead and finish his career."

In June, volunteers treated Gokool to a home makeover, helping paint his Florida home. They also installed grab bars and several small ramps around the property.

An interview with Gokool from that day highlighted his humility. "I'm so glad to be rewarded by such great people. I'm glad to see there are people in the world that like to do things for others."

He too was one of those people -- serving many by serving his nation.

A hero until the end.