Waddle receives reprimand
| • | Waddle's statement following admiral's mast |
| • | Waddle likely to find lucrative civilian job |
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
The punishment for the former captain of the USS Greeneville includes a career-ending letter of reprimand and a forfeiture of salary that will not be imposed if he remains on his best behavior for six months, his attorney said today in a written statement.
Cmdr. Scott Waddle was disciplined today at what is known as an "admiral's mast" for his actions on the day his nuclear submarine accidentally rammed and sank a Japanese fishing vessel on Feb. 9, killing nine people. Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet made the decision during the close-door hearing and based his actions on an exhaustive court of inquiry last month.
Fargo told Waddle today that "a preponderance of the evidence supported" the administrative punishment and not a court martial, which was one of the possibilities, said Charles Gittins, who served as Waddle's primary attorney during the inquiry.
Fargo concluded there was dereliction of duty and negligent hazarding of a vessel, Gittins said.
Fargo imposed the following discipline: a punitive letter of reprimand to be permanently filed in Waddle's Official Military Personnel File; forfeiture of one-half of one month's pay for a period of two months but the execution of that penalty would not be carried out for six months.
Although Waddle was told he would have justify retention in the Navy, he told Fargo he planned to retire Oct. 1.
"I understand and accept the punishment that Admiral Fargo imposed," Waddle said in a statemet. "He treated me fairly and with dignity and respect and I thank him for that."
He said the hearing concluded a difficult time for his family and ended his Navy career.
"It was not the end I had envisoned for my career when I took command of the Greeneville," Waddle said. "However, when I took command, I accepted the responsibility and accountability that accompany the authority invested in me as a Commanding Officer of a Navy ship."
Mike Gordon can be reached by phone at 525-8012, or by e-mail at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com
