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On April 14 of 1988 the Navy frigate USS Samuel B Roberts deployed in the Persian Gulf and was providing escort for reflagged Kuwaiti tankers during the Iran-Iraq war. She was headed for a refueling rendezvous with the USS San Jose when the ship struck an Iranian mine. On board the Samuel B Roberts was Circle native Chuck Kunesh. In a recent interview with Chuck at his home here in Circle he talked about that fateful day and his military career that spanned 20 years.

The mine blew a 15-foot hole in the hull, flooded engine room and knocked two gas turbines from their mounts. The expl...