Lakeina Monique Francis was born on 7 June 1981 to Ronald and Sarah Francis. She graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in 1999, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy 11 April 2000.

After attending Basic Training in Great Lakes, Illinois, Francis was a student at Mess Management Specialist School in Gulfport, Mississippi. She reported to USS Cole (DDG-67) on 27 September 2000.

Francis was killed in the line of duty when a terrorist bomb was detonated along the port side of the ship while it was refueling in Aden, Yemen, on 12 October 2000.

Mess Management Specialist Seaman Francis was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and Navy Unit Commendation.

Sources: USS Cole (DDG-67) Med Cruise 2000 (August 8–November 3, 2000) Cruise Book in the collection of the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Navy Department Library. Awards and citations are sourced from the service member’s official military personnel file and listed in the Navy Department Awards Web Service site and may not be complete.

https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/ships/modern-ships/uss-cole/cole-in-memoriam.html#francis


Salisbury National Cemetery

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Hello my name is Kris Brown and I went to A school with her at lackland she was very kind and funny my your soul rest in peace 🕊️ 


During my time in the Navy I received training about the fateful event in October 2000 that you unwittingly took part in. I continued to read  about the event.  For a reason I am unable to identify, your name stood out to me.  I never knew you personally.  Learning the account, I saw myself in you and your fellow shipmates.  I was shaken.  I'm sorry that you paid the last measure of devotion.  I hope you have true rest and that your family has peace, strength, encouragement.  You are missed.

LAKEINA MONIQUE FRANCIS

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