Admiral’s mast USS GREENEVILLE skipper Cmdr. Scott Waddle is scheduled to appear before Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Thomas Fargo Monday morning rather than face a court martial for his actions involving the collision with the Ehime Maru two months ago.
Monday for Waddle
The USS Greeneville skipper is
likely to be honorably discharged
from the Navy after reprimandBy Gregg K. Kakesako
Star-BulletinThe meeting is expected to last about an hour and will be held at Pacific Fleet Makalapa headquarters in Pearl Harbor. It will be conducted under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice under what is known as an "admiral's mast."
It will mean the end of Waddle's Navy career, although he will not face the prospect of prison.
Still unresolved are the fates of Greeneville's other crewmen.
There have been reports that Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, the sub's executive officer; and Lt. j.g. Michael Coen, officer of the deck and technically in charge of the submare when it collided with the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru Feb. 9, may face similar administrative boards, known as captain's masts.
Nine Japanese are still missing from the collision which sent the 500-ton Ehime Maru to the bottom of the Pacific nine miles south of Diamond Head. Fargo may issue a letter of reprimand to Waddle and grant him an honorable discharge with a pension. Waddle could also be fined.
Waddle, who assumed command of the Greeneville two years, has apologized for the collision and accepted full blame.
Charles Gittins, Fargo's civilian attorney, said Waddle, who was relieved of his command after the Feb. 9 accident, plans to retire as "a commander, with full pension, and with an honorable characterization of discharge, consistent with the character of his 20 years service."
Gittins said Waddle, 41, met with Fargo's executive assistant on Friday at the same Makalapa headquarters where last week for 26 hours the 24 members of the Navy's EP-3 surveillance plane went under extense debriefings sessions after being released from the their 11 days of captivity by the Chinese.
Gittins said Waddle was allowed to review the 2,000 page report from the Court of Inquiry and told that he was to appear before Fargo at 8 a.m. Monday.
"No other document was provided to Scott and we have been assured that Admiral Fargo will meet with Scott with an open mind. Scott has right appeal any punishment imposed," Gittins said.
"If we believe there are grounds for an appeal if punishment is imposed, you can be sure we will pursue the appeal."
That appeal would have to be made to the vice chief of naval operations in the Pentagon.
Gittins said he doesn't know if Waddle will stay in the islands after he retires, "adding he has a number of very good job offers; he intends to concentrate on his life after the Navy after he has resolved the matters that are pressing at this time."
