USS Stark -- Iraqi attack, 1987.

On 3/17/87, an Iraqi fighter attacked the USS Stark, a frigate in the Persian Gulf. It fired two Exocet air-to-surface missiles at the Stark, killing 37 U.S. sailors.

French manufactured fighter, French manufactured missile.

"We will not be intimidated,"^[1] said Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. "We will not be driven from the gulf." He described the attack on the Stark as a "horrible error," and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was quick to apologize for the "unintentional incident."

This bit of fantasy was announced even though the captain of the Stark twice radioed a request for identification to the Iraqi pilot:

In keeping with standard procedure, Captain Brindel ordered a radio message flashed at 10:09 PM: "Unknown aircraft, this is U.S. Navy warship on your 078 for twelve miles. Request you identify yourself." There was no reply. A second request was sent. Still no answer.

Pres. Reagan was then tilting toward Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War and, mistakenly, Saddam got a pass on this incident. Attention later shifted to hostile Iranian actions which were followed by strong reactions by the Navy. Iran subsequently decided to improve relations with the West and the U.S. improved its world standing as a result of the STRONG U.S. STAND.

How much clearer does it have to be as regards the salutary results of kicking ass, even though this occurred desultorily since then? Until Pres. Bush came along, that is.

Notes
^[1] In contradistinction to saying, "You are now going to be very sorry for your mistake. We will teach you, in particular, how wise it is to refrain from any action that even remotely threatens U.S. lives and assets." The Russian laser injury inflicted on an American and a Canadian in 1997 in the Juan de Fuca Straits was only possible because of past U.S. fecklessness in responding appropriately to deliberate provocations.