Reagan Calls Victims of Iraq Attack Heroes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — President Reagan mourned the victims of the attack on the Navy frigate Stark as heroes today and told U.S. warships patrolling the Persian Gulf: “Defend yourselves. Defend American lives.”

The President also ordered flags flown at half staff in memory of the 37 sailors who died in an apparently unintentional Iraqi jet attack against the frigate.

“American sailors are putting their lives on the line in the gulf,” Reagan said during a speech to 2,700 graduating high school seniors. “They have the right to protect themselves against any threat from any quarter at any time.”

Reagan used the speech to reaffirm U.S. policy in the gulf after Sunday’s attack.

Without referring specifically to Iraqi responsibility, Reagan called the tragedy one that “must never be repeated” and said U.S. naval vessels will continue to protect vital oil shipping lanes and freedom of navigation in the gulf.

In his address, he introduced a variation of First Lady Nancy Reagan’s anti-drug abuse slogan, urging graduating seniors to help their drop-out friends to “just say yes” to completing school.