Sub accident won't tarnish military, experts say

The errors and images have not been kind to the U.S. Navy.

The former USS Greeneville captain, Cmdr. Scott Waddle, left, looks on during court of inquiry proceedings in this artist’s rendition of the scene at Pearl Harbor last week. Others rendered are Lt. Cmdr. Kimberlie Young, standing, assistant counsel for Waddle; attorney Charles Gittens, middle, civilian counsel for Waddle; and Vice Adm. John Nathman, president of the court, second from right. Associated Press

An accidental collision with a civilian surface vessel claimed nine lives. One of its best-trained submarine crews failed to communicate key information, the discovery of which could have prevented the accident.

The story of the USS Greeneville, the fast-attack submarine that ripped open the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru, has been a daily drama since Feb. 9, with footage of the sub amid debris and life rafts a staple of countless news reports.

And last week, during the first five days of an inquiry convened to find out how the accident happened, the actions of the crew confused and concerned the investigating admirals.

But the public will forgive and forget, say those who closely follow the military in general and the Navy in particular. The image of the Navy is not tarnished by the storm.

"It is considered an unfortunate incident and not reflective of the entire military," said John Issacs, president of the Council for a Livable World, an arms control lobbying group in Washington, D.C. "All the polls have shown over the years that the public has a highly favorable impression of the military. I don’t think this will affect things. It is not indicative of an incompetent military."

The court of inquiry could last three more weeks, maybe longer. So far, it has been marked by surprising revelations that crew members did not voice concerns about how fast the submarine was being prepared for the surfacing procedure and that the crew’s only mission that day was to entertain 16 civilian guests invited to witness Navy professionalism.

John Jenkins, former judge advocate general for the Navy and now a senior associate dean of the George Washington Law School, cautioned that much testimony is still to come. A lot could change before it’s all said and done.

"I would hope that the public would conclude that the Navy is thoroughly investigating the matter," said Jenkins, who retired after 28 years as a rear admiral. "We don’t know all the facts yet. Until we do, they shouldn’t say anything."

An incident like this will draw critics, said Jerry Hofwolt, a retired Navy captain who is now the executive director of the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, near the USS Arizona Memorial Visitors Center.

Some will view the accident as a reason to not have a military, while others will warn Japanese government officials that a deadly collision is a reason to limit friendly relations with the United States, he said.

It’s even possible for sailors to think that their job is too dangerous after a review of the events.

But most Americans will probably not share any of those views, he said. As long as the Greeneville crew and its former captain, Cmdr. Scott Waddle, are not found to be criminally negligent, they will not be overly criticized, Hofwolt said.

"I think the American public is always more forgiving of people who are admirable and admit they made mistake," he said. "We see strength and character in that."

In Santa Barbara, Calif., Connie Los has organized a fund to help Waddle defray the cost of his civilian attorney. Los, who rode last summer aboard the Greeneville and later played host to Waddle in her home, said she has already received hundreds of letters and donations that range from $5 to $1,000.

None of it would be coming if people did not believe the collision was accidental, she said.

The cards have come from all over the country and many of them from Hawai‘i. Not one contained a negative comment. They have seen the human side of Waddle, as well as the families who lost sons and loved ones aboard the Ehime Maru, she said.

"Tragic accidents happen," said Los, president of the Navy League’s Santa Barbara chapter. "I don’t think you can say this will tarnish the military. I think that people realize what these men do for our freedom and our country."

Members of Congress, including Hawai‘i’s delegation, declined to comment on how the incident will affect the Navy until the inquiry is finished.

"It’s far too early for a comment on any of that," said Paul Cardus, spokesman for Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai‘i, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We’re early in the course of the investigation. It’s not proper to speculate on the theories presented to date. The perception or appearance of the Navy is the least of anyone’s concerns right now."

But Cardus added that Congress could easily decide to conduct its own investigation once the Navy inquiry is over.

Advertiser Staff Writer Susan Roth contributed to this report.

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