Posted on: Saturday, April 28, 2001

Greeneville's interim skipper delivers final 'admonishments'

By Dan Nakaso and William Cole
Advertiser Staff Writers

The interim commander of the USS Greeneville closed a dark chapter of Navy history yesterday when he "admonished" the four remaining crewmen implicated in the fatal collision of their fast-attack submarine with a Japanese fishing vessel.

Capt. Tony Cortese delivered the admonishments aboard the Greeneville, probably when it returned to Pearl Harbor yesterday afternoon, said Lt. Cmdr. Dave Werner, spokesman for the Pacific Fleet's submarine force.

The letters of admonishment were primarily harmful to Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, the sub's executive officer and the only Greeneville officer who had yet to be punished.

Even though a Navy court of inquiry determined that Pfeifer was not directly responsible for the crash, "his career has been blighted," said Jay Fidell, a former Coast Guard lawyer and court of inquiry investigator.

"I'm sure his next fitness report will not be glowing and there's a big issue whether he will be promoted to commander ... or ever get command of a ship," Fidell said.

Adm. Thomas Fargo, Pacific Fleet commander, had already held an admiral's mast for the Greeneville's former captain, Cmdr. Scott Waddle. Fargo found Waddle guilty of negligent dereliction of duties and negligent hazarding of a vessel, but allowed him to retire with full benefits.

Fargo also held an admiral's mast for Lt. j.g. Michael Coen, the officer of the deck on the day of the crash.

Yesterday Cortese admonished Pfeifer, chief of the boat Douglas Coffman, sonar supervisor Edward McGiboney and Patrick Seacrest, the fire control technician of the watch who was blamed for a series of incorrect assumptions and mistakes in tracking the Ehime Maru.

Cortese, Werner said, counseled Seacrest "to ensure he fully understands his obligations with regard to the safe navigation of the ship."