Waddle sees career in Navy come to an end
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
The once-promising career of Navy Cmdr. Scott Waddle ended yesterday at a disciplinary hearing that found him guilty of dereliction of duty and negligent hazarding of the USS Greeneville on the day it accidentally sank a Japanese fishing vessel, but allowed him to retire with full benefits.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
Waddle, disciplined by Pacific fleet commander Adm. Thomas Fargo at an "admiral's mast," received a punitive letter of reprimand and was directed to forfeit half of his pay for two months. Without explaining why, however, Fargo reinstated that pay by suspending his directive.
Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Commander, discusses his punitive action against Cmdr. Scott Waddle.
Fargo also finalized an earlier decision that removed Waddle from command of the Greeneville with a "for cause" notation — considered a serious black mark in the Navy.
The admiral yesterday said Waddle "cut corners" and needlessly rushed the emergency surfacing drill that put the sophisticated submarine on a deadly collision course with the Ehime Maru fishing vessel Feb. 9. Nine Japanese crew members died.
"Let me be clear," Fargo said. "This tragic accident could and should have been avoided by simply following existing Navy standards and procedures in bringing the submarine to the surface."
In a statement sent by e-mail after the hour-long hearing at Pearl Harbor, Waddle said he would retire by Oct. 1 after 20 years in the Navy.
"I understand and accept the punishment that Admiral Fargo imposed," said the 41-year old Waddle. "He treated me fairly and with dignity and respect and I thank him for that."
The admiral's mast concluded a difficult time for his family, Waddle said. After the collision, Fargo convened a rarely used court of inquiry. For 12 days in March, the actions of the captain and crew were intensely scrutinized by a trio of U.S. admirals.
"It was not the end I had envisioned 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."
'One of the lucky ones'
Waddle once more offered apologies to the families of the nine victims, saying his heart aches for their losses.
"While I regret that my Navy career has ended in this way, I know that I am one of the lucky ones because I survived the accident," he said. "I think about those lost at sea every day, and I grieve for the families."
After the hearing, the commander called his father in Austin, Texas, retired Air Force Col. Dan Waddle.
"I am so happy that this is finally coming to a close for my son and for me," the elder Waddle said.
The realization that the commander's career is over is beginning to sink in, Dan Waddle said.
But Waddle's father is proud that his son took the witness stand during the court of inquiry and that he took responsibility for the accident.
"It makes me very proud of my son," Dan Waddle said. "I sent him an e-mail and said: 'You have raised the bar very high for men who will follow with your honor and integrity and honesty.'"
Honolulu attorney Jay Fidell, a former Coast Guard lawyer and court of inquiry investigator who watched all of the proceedings, said a court-martial would have likely produced the same outcome as yesterday's hearing because the collision was an accident and not pre-meditated.
"I think they decided, for the benefit of the Navy, it was better not to wash the laundry one more time," he said.
Connie Los, president of the Navy League in Santa Barbara, Calif., led a defense fund to pay Waddle's legal fees incurred during the court of inquiry. She said the discipline yesterday was the best scenario.
"I don't know what people want, blood?" she said. "How much more do you want to discipline this man? You think he and his family have not been through hell? The man is losing his naval career."
Opinions offered
Los would not say how much is in the fund, but said Waddle would not have to pay for the cost of his civilian attorney, Charles Gittins.
"Scott and his wife should not have to pay for this one for life," Los said.
Rear Adm. Albert Konetzni Jr., the commander of the Pacific submarine fleet, attended the hearing yesterday. He has often heaped praise on Waddle and during the court of inquiry said he loved him like a son.
"The Navy's openness in seeking the facts and finding accountability was the right thing to do," Konetzni said after Waddle was disciplined. "We will learn from this tragic accident and truly work to ensure this can never happen again."
Konetzni will leave Hawai'i just as the Greeneville saga concludes. The admiral's change of command ceremony is set for tomorrow at the Pearl Harbor sub base, with Fargo the scheduled keynote speaker.
Retired Navy Capt. John Peters, a friend of Waddle's who skippered a nuclear submarine during his 31 years of military service, spoke to Waddle after the discipline was levied.
"Whether it is his fault or not, it is his fault and he didn't do enough," Peters said. "It doesn't matter what caused it."
Advertiser reporter Johnny Brannon contributed to this report.
