Category: Navy

CNN quotes unnamed officials who blame the Navy for the collision between USS FITZGERALD and the ACX Crystal last month which cost seven sailors their lives;

The initial findings are just the first stage in what is expected to be a lengthy inquiry. Both officials said the initial investigation found that the Fitzgerald crew failed to understand and acknowledge the cargo ship was approaching and failed to take any action necessary to avoid the collision. It’s also not clear if the crew ever called the commanding officer to come to the bridge.

The officials say investigators are also looking at the possibility that the ship was traveling at a higher speed than expected in order to reach a location it was due to arrive at the next next day.

I don’t think it’s news that two people who may or may not have a connection to the investigation talk to CNN without giving their names. But, you know, CNN has such a great reputation for accurate coverage of news, who can doubt them (that was sarcasm).

I’m only mentioning the story to stem the emails to my inbox. I have no confidence in this article.

Update: Statement from the Navy;

“We are in the early stages of the investigation process to develop a comprehensive picture of what caused the collision and do not have any definitive information to release at this time. It is premature to speculate on causation or any other issues. Once we have a detailed understanding of the facts and circumstances, we will share those findings with the Fitzgerald families, our Congressional oversight committees and the general public.”

Our buddy, Doug Sterner wrote an article about James Elliot “Willie” Williams in Vietnam Magazine, republished in History Net. Doug says that Williams was the most decorated enlisted sailor in the history of the US Navy. According to Military Times’ Hall of Valor, Williams earned three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars for Valor, a Silver Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, a Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor – all while assigned to River Patrol Boat 105, River Section 531, My Tho Detachment from July, 1966 – January, 1967. You should read the citations at the Hall of Valor.

Doug writes;

When Williams returned home in spring 1967, he had a list of awards unmatched by any enlisted man in Navy history. He retired after 20 years of service and began a career in the U.S. Marshals Service.

On May 14, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Williams with the Medal of Honor. For his lifesaving actions at the sinking Jamaica Bay, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, often called “the noncombat medal of honor.”

During his last seven months in the Navy, Williams received every sea-service award for heroism including the Legion of Merit with “V,” two Navy Commendation Medals for valor and three Purple Hearts.

Williams died on Oct. 13, 1999, and in 2003 his widow, Elaine, watched the launching of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS James E. Williams.

You probably remember Peter Mims, the Navy sailor who was thought to be lost at sea for a spell while US and Japanese Navy vessels searched the seas for him, but he was discovered below decks of the USS Shiloh after 50 hours. Well, David sends us a link to Good Morning, America which reports the latest on the Navy’s hide-and-seek champion 1st Class;

He attended an “Admiral’s mast,” a non-judicial punishment within the Navy, “due to the seriousness this had on the strike group and our Japanese allies,” Newell said.

The charges violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice’s Article 86, abandoning watch, and Article 92, dereliction in the performance of duties.

Newell said the Navy is looking into pursuing additional administrative actions against Mims. He could not speculate on whether other sailors on board the Shiloh were implicated in his disappearance.

Bobo sends us a link to The Navy Times which reports that yet another Navy commander has been relieved from his assignment;

Cmdr. Steven Everhart was relieved Friday by Capt. Mark Schmall, head of Submarine Squadron 17, due to a loss of confidence in Everhart’s ability to serve as commanding officer, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Corey Barker said in an email.

Confidence in Everhart’s leadership began waning during an investigation that began about a month ago.

Barker would not say what the nature of that investigation entails, citing the ongoing nature of the probe….

Everhart, only took command of USS Pennsylvania in January, so how much could he screw up?

One of our ninjas sent us this video (from DVIDS) of the procession route that family of the seven sailors lost on the USS FITZGERALD last week took this morning to the service. The route was lined with their shipmates;

YOKOSUKA (June 27, 2017) The Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka community forms a line of honor supporting the family and shipmates of the seven Sailors assigned to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) who were killed in a collision at sea. The family and shipmates were escorted through the lined streets of FLEACT Yokosuka to attend a memorial for the fallen Sailors. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess E. Toner/ Released)

Here’s a map of the route (just under a mile long) from the chapel to the theater on Yokosuka;