Which incident is noted as the only successful anti-ship missile attack on a US Navy warship?

The attack on the USS Stark is noted as the only successful anti-ship missile attack on a US Navy warship. On May 17, 1987, during the Iran-Iraq War, the USS Stark was struck by two Exocet missiles fired by an Iraqi Dassault Super Étendard aircraft. The incident resulted in significant casualties and damage to the ship, highlighting vulnerabilities in naval defense against missile threats.

This event is historically significant as it underscores the effectiveness of anti-ship missiles in naval warfare and prompted the Navy to evaluate and enhance its air defense systems and protocols to better protect against similar threats in the future. The lessons learned from this attack have influenced training and operational procedures regarding missile defense and response to hostile aircraft.