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Wednesday, April 18, 2001



art

Waddle will be
told of discharge
today, Japanese
newspaper says

The Yomiuri Shimbun
reports Seacrest also
will be disciplined

By Gregg K. Kakesako
Star-Bulletin

U.S.S. Greeneville skipper Cmdr. Scott Waddle reportedly was to report to Adm. Thomas Fargo, Pacific Fleet commander, today to be told that he will be discharged from the Navy because of his actions Feb. 9, which resulted in the deaths of nine Japanese civilians aboard the fishing trawler Ehime Maru.

The Yomiuri Shimbun also reported that Petty Officer Patrick Seacrest, the fire control technician who failed to warn Waddle that the Ehime Maru was 4,000 yards to the north of Greeneville and on a possible collision course, will be disciplined.

The Navy here has repeatedly declined comment on the contents of a 2,000-page investigative report turned over to Fargo on Friday.

It will be up to Fargo to decide whether any of the Greeneville crew will be disciplined for the accident, which occurred 9 miles south of Diamond Head.

The Yomiuri Shimbun and U.S. news organizations have reported that the Navy's court of inquiry has recommended nonjudicial punishments for Waddle, 41, including restriction of movement, such as confinement at home or at a base, and a 50 percent cut in salary for two months.

Disciplinary actions are expected to be taken against Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, the sub's executive officer; and Lt. j.g. Michael Coen, officer of the deck. These punishments are expected to be lighter than Waddle's because they were under Waddle's instruction on the day of the accident and they had committed no grave errors.



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