Final answer:
The USS Cole attack resulted in 17 sailors killed. It happened on October 12, 2000, and represented an escalation in terrorist activities against U.S. military forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The final casualty count of the USS Cole attack was 17 sailors killed. This incident occurred on October 12, 2000, when two terrorists in a small boat laden with explosives pulled alongside the destroyer and detonated their load. The attack on the USS Cole was a significant event in U.S. military history and marked an escalation in terrorist activities targeting U.S. forces during the time.