Posted on 08/16/2010 7:01:26 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The captain of the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu was relieved of command Sunday during an investigation into improper relationships with his crewmembers.
Navy investigators are probing allegations that Capt. David A. Schnell “acted in an unprofessional manner toward several crew members that was inappropriate, improper and unduly familiar,” according to a Navy news release.
Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet, officially relieved Schnell on Sunday due to loss of confidence in his ability to command, according to the release.
Capt. Mark E. Cedrun, chief of staff for Expeditionary Strike Group 3, will temporarily command the USS Peleliu until a permanent replacement is named, according to the news release.
Peleliu is currently aiding in relief efforts to flood-ravaged Pakistan, according to Navy reports. Marine Corps helicopters aboard the ship have the strength to lift 16 tons of food and equipment to the millions of people displaced by the disaster, the Navy said.
Schnell is the 12th commanding officer to be relieved in 2010. The Navy removed seven commanding officers between Jan. 1 and March 15 alone. Seventeen commanders were relieved in 2009.
Reasons for the firings this year have ranged from public alcohol abuse and prostitute solicitation to running a ship into a pier.
(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...
My question, too.
Kennedy's father -- the vile, Hitler-loving, professional gangster -- fixed JFK's mistakes. He was going to be court-martialed for shutting-down his boat's engines and being rammed by a Japanese destroyer. But The Old Bastard Joe Kennedy got that changed to a medal for heroism.
“I think Kennedy did act heroically after the boat was rammed but he probably should have been at least court marshalled for that.”
Actually, non other than Douglas McArthur wanted to court marshall Kennedy for disobeying orders and leaving the engine in his PT boat running while waiting for the Jap boats. (He was talked out of the court marshall for political reasons.) With the noise of the motor and the moonless night, Kennedy didn’t see or hear the destroyer approaching until it was too late.
>>> Don’t ask, don’t tell.
Reading between the lines, it doesn’t sound like it. Overly familiar and undignified captain perhaps playing favorites, but less then what you suggest.
>>> It never ceased to amaze me that Kennedy could get his PT Boat sliced in two by a Japanese destroyer — a ship that is much bigger, slower and less maneuverable than a PT boat
The PT flotilla was on patrol looking for Japanese ships. To conserve fuel the squadron leader ordered the group to cut motors and drift.
There was an article analyzing the incident by the Naval Institute several years ago. They theorize when the radarless boat did spot the destroyer and attempted to throttle up, the engineer failed to open a ventilator feeding the motors and the oxygen starved motors failed to quickly engage. If I recall correctly this engineer they point at was the same burned man Kennedy dragged through the water.
Court martial was contemplated but Kennedy’s actions saving his injured and leading his shipwrecked crew, coupled with the political pull of the family, plus the need at the time for photogenic heroes put an end to that.
In any event the Navy retained confidence in Kennedy. He was given another boat and returned to action commanding a gunboat, as the PTs were being converted in the absence of suitable targets for their torpedoes.
The ramming and loss of PT=109 was officially investigated by a intel officer named Byron White. Fifteen years later JFK appointed him to the Supreme Court.
Small world, eh?
I’m not asking and I guess he’s not telling.
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NEVER get into any land, sea or air conveyance with a Kennedy.
Hey at least we know one stopped drinking....
Good summary, and I expect the Kennedy political pull, in combination with the former, prevented the latter.
IIRC, wasn’t the BB USS Missouri run aground off of VA in the 50’s...took several days for tugs to pull her off...
US Navy has 294 ships....17 commanders were relieved in 2009, looks to be about the same number this year...that more than 5% EACH YEAR...this is RELIEVED, yanked off the bridge..cashiered..what the heck does that say about the selection process...?
like that female admiral married to an enlisted man?
I don’t know.
We never should have brought females to the fleet. And now we’re putting them on subs.
According to several sources, Schnell was fired for sexually harassing male sailors. One former crewmember with continued ties to the Peleliu says Schnell had a reputation for preying on young enlisted men. Reportedly, the skipper regularly “rewarded” potential targets with chits entitling them to a day off from duty, along with a private lunch with Schnell himself in the Inport Cabin. Schnell described these tete-a-tetes as “the highlight of my week.” Each “Sailor of the Week” was offered niceties not otherwise enjoyed on board ship. “The CO had a type,” one observer reports. “He liked them boyish and slim.” In one glowing internal newsletter, Schnell wrote of one honoree, “I could not be more pleased with [name deleted]’s performance.” The young sailor was allowed to bring a friend of his choosing. Schnell wrote: “This is really for my benefit of course....”
Don’t ask, don’t Schnell.
Lot's of solid players said “bye bye” after their payback (aviation) time and took their leadership and people skills to civy street. Major loss to the USN.
What worries me today is that PC and AA are really being pushed in the advancement game. I worry that in a few years a lot of blue jackets are going to get hurt because we have put into the CO’s spot a leader based on their gender or color not their qualification. JMHO
That’s pretty good! WIsh I’d thought of it! : )
Just an average weekend at my yacht club...
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