The USS Fitzgerald Burned Like a Torch — A Harrowing Encounter in the Strait of Hormuz

On the night of March 2, 2026, the USS Fitzgerald, a guided missile destroyer, faced a dire situation that would test the mettle of her crew and the resilience of the US Navy.

At 22:31 local time, the Fitzgerald was struck by a Nasser 1 anti-ship missile, igniting a massive fire that quickly spread through the ship’s aft superstructure.

This was no ordinary blaze; it was an inferno fueled by ruptured fuel lines and burning aviation gasoline from the destroyer’s helicopter, reaching heights of 40 feet into the night sky.

The flames were not just a threat to the ship’s structural integrity; they posed a catastrophic risk to the aft magazine, where 30 tons of missiles and ammunition were stored.

If the fire reached the magazine, the consequences would be devastating, potentially obliterating the Fitzgerald entirely.

As the situation unfolded, Captain Marcus Reynolds was alerted to the emergency and rushed to the bridge.

He found the aft section of the ship engulfed in flames, with the heat blistering paint on structures 50 feet away from the fire.

The urgency of the situation was palpable; the aft magazine was at risk, and the crew was already engaged in a desperate battle against the flames.

This incident was not just a random act of aggression; it was part of a larger confrontation in the Gulf.

The Nasser 1 missile that struck the Fitzgerald had been used in previous attacks but had been intercepted successfully by American ships dozens of times.

However, on this occasion, the interception failed.

Launched from the Iranian coast at 22:28, the missile was detected by the Fitzgerald’s radar just six seconds later.

The crew initiated standard defensive procedures, launching two SM-2 missiles within eight seconds to intercept the incoming threat.

The first SM-2 missile reached the Nasser 1 at 22:29:21 but missed, detonating behind the missile as it executed a terminal maneuver.

The second SM-2 engaged shortly after, resulting in a proximity kill that damaged the Nasser 1’s airframe and guidance system.

Despite the damage, the missile continued its trajectory toward the Fitzgerald.

As the missile closed in, the ship’s close-in weapon system (CIWS) engaged, firing 20mm rounds that tore into the damaged missile.

However, at 22:29:38, what remained of the Nasser 1 struck the Fitzgerald, impacting the helicopter hangar where the MH-60R Seahawk was housed.

The explosion ruptured the helicopter’s fuel tanks, igniting a fireball that filled the hangar in less than a second.

Tragically, two sailors conducting maintenance on the helicopter were killed instantly in the blast.

The fire spread rapidly, fueled by aviation gasoline, melting through aluminum structures and creating new sources of combustion throughout the aft superstructure.

Within 30 seconds, the fire had spread to adjacent compartments, and within a minute, it was climbing the aft mast, consuming vital communications equipment and antennas.

Captain Reynolds arrived on the bridge just three minutes after the impact, faced with a dire situation.

The aft third of the Fitzgerald was ablaze, and the fire was advancing toward the magazine containing critical weaponry.

The chief damage controlman grimly reported that magazine temperatures were rising, indicating the urgent need for action.

They had activated the sprinkler system, but if the fire continued to advance, flooding the magazine would be necessary, risking millions of dollars in ammunition and half the ship’s combat capability.

Reynolds faced a critical decision: focus solely on extinguishing the fire or divide his forces to fight back against the enemy while battling the flames.

Choosing aggression, he ordered the launch of Tomahawk missiles at the Iranian launch site that had attacked them.

At 22:34:17, the first Tomahawk launched from the Fitzgerald’s forward vertical launch system (VLS), marking a remarkable moment as the crew fought both fire and enemy simultaneously.

Reynolds communicated the dire situation to Fifth Fleet, confirming casualties and requesting expanded targeting and surface support for potential evacuation.

Vice Admiral Richardson received the message and recognized the gravity of the situation.

The Fitzgerald was on fire, her magazine at risk, but her captain was still launching counter-strikes.

Richardson authorized an expanded strike targeting the Nasser 1 battery that had attacked the Fitzgerald, aiming for precision rather than widespread destruction.

The destroyer USS Howard, operating nearby, launched eight Tomahawks at 22:42, targeting the command post and supporting radar installations.

Simultaneously, four F/A-18E Super Hornets were redirected to engage the remaining targets, carrying 2,000-pound precision-guided bombs.

At 22:59, just 28 minutes after the Fitzgerald was set ablaze, the first American weapons struck the Iranian battery position.

The Fitzgerald’s Tomahawks hit first, saturating the area and destroying the launch vehicles and crew positions.

The command post and supporting radar installations were subsequently annihilated by the Howard’s Tomahawks.

The Super Hornets followed up with precision strikes, ensuring the complete destruction of the Nasser 1 battery.

Meanwhile, aboard the Fitzgerald, the damage control efforts were extraordinary.

Fire teams advanced into the blaze, wearing protective gear and using hoses to combat the flames.

A key decision came at 22:47 when the chief engineer proposed a controlled backfire to create a fire break.

Reynolds authorized the venting of the compartment, which ultimately stopped the fire’s forward progress.

By 23:00, the fire’s spread had been halted, and temperatures in the magazine stabilized at 180°F, below critical levels.

By 23:45, the fire was extinguished, leaving the aft section of the Fitzgerald a charred ruin but ultimately saving the ship from total destruction.

The damage assessment revealed extensive but not catastrophic losses.

While the helicopter hangar and aft mast were destroyed, the ship’s propulsion and forward weapon systems remained operational.

The Fitzgerald could still sail and fight, a testament to the resilience of her crew.

The journey to Bahrain took 14 hours at reduced speed as the crew worked tirelessly to cool hot spots and tend to the injured.

Captain Reynolds remained on the bridge throughout the transit, having risked his ship by dividing resources between firefighting and counter-strikes.

His gamble paid off, but the cost was significant: a six-month repair assessment was required to restore the Fitzgerald to full operational capability.

The two sailors who died in the attack, Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Robert Chin and Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class David Williams, were honored with military burials, recognized for their dedication to their duties.

Captain Reynolds received the Navy Cross for his exemplary leadership during the engagement, showcasing the aggressive spirit of the US Navy.

In the aftermath, diplomatic responses followed the established pattern, with Iran protesting and the US presenting evidence of the attack.

The tactical lesson was clear: the Fitzgerald had been struck, set ablaze, and yet she retaliated within minutes, exemplifying the Navy’s commitment to fighting back against aggression.

This incident reinforced the notion that American ships dominate the seas, responding decisively even in the face of adversity.

The Iranian gunners who launched the missile never had a chance to celebrate their hit; they were eliminated before the Fitzgerald’s fire was extinguished.

The message was clear: stay vigilant, for the seas are fraught with danger, but the resolve of the US Navy remains unwavering.