Families of Stark’s Crew Angry With Navy, Reagan

Families of crewmen aboard the Navy frigate Stark, which was struck by an Iraqi missile in the Persian Gulf, reacted with anger today against the Navy, President Reagan and Iraq.

“There better be an inquiry,” said Robert Deangelis of Dumont, N.J., whose son, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Christopher W. Deangelis, 24, was one of 37 sailors killed in the attack Sunday night.

“There was no excuse for the attack,” said Sue Renner of Jellico, Tenn., whose son, Dante Renner, an operations specialist, survived the attack. “ ‘I’m sorry’ just doesn’t get it. Even if he’s fine, sorry isn’t enough.”

Firepower Available

Deangelis said his son had “boasted” of the firepower of the Stark and “that’s why it infuriates me that the skipper of the craft didn’t shoot back. They had the time.”

In Washington, Vice Adm. Henry Mustin, deputy chief of naval operations, said he had no immediate explanation for the Stark’s lack of response to the attack and said the ship’s commander, Cmdr. Glenn Brindel, would be queried at the earliest opportunity.

Deangelis’ anger also was aimed at President Reagan.

Asked what he would say if he were allowed to speak with Reagan, he replied, “You couldn’t print it.”

Debra Kirkland of Tallahassee, Fla., who is awaiting word on the fate of her son, Petty Officer Christopher Jones, 25, said, “I blame Reagan for this because he is the one who ordered those ships into the Persian Gulf.”

‘A Sucker Punch’

Michael Otero of Cantonment, Fla., was struggling with the fear that his stepson, Michael Fitzgerald, might be among those killed. “It’s hard to defend yourself against a sucker punch,” Otero said.

One of those killed, Gunner Mate 1st Class Thomas Joseph MacMullen of Darby, Pa., had written his family not to worry.

“He said in the letter they were watching Iran and Iraq go at it with each other,” said MacMullen’s sister-in-law, Diane, 24. “But he wrote to his mom that they shouldn’t worry.”

The family of Michael Nelson of Columbus, Ohio, received word early today that he was safe. Nelson’s wife, Tracy, gave birth to a baby girl, Jessica, at 6 a.m. Monday in Florida.

Nelson’s brother, Michael, said the family lit candles in the front yard Monday night “so he can find his way home.”