Student Veteran Who Aided in Somali Pirate Rescue Now Works with UT Vets
Five years ago, as a US Navy petty officer on the USS Bainbridge, Melina Gardner—now a UT senior in sociology—found herself in the middle of a four-day standoff between the Navy and Somali pirates during the now-famous rescue of the ship’s captain Richard Phillips. As Veterans Day approaches, Gardner reflects on her experiences and how