Tag Archives: Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin

Military Judge Disqualifies Naval Reactors Director Caldwell from Overseeing Fitzgerald CO Trial

Military Judge Disqualifies Naval Reactors Director Caldwell from Overseeing Fitzgerald CO Trial

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Adm. James F. Caldwell, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, gives remarks during a senior leader all hands at Sharkey Theater, July 11, 2017. US Navy Photo

A military judge has disqualified Director of Naval Reactors Adm. Frank Caldwell from overseeing the upcoming negligence trial of the former USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) commander due to actions Caldwell made during other legal proceedings related to the fatal 2017 collision, according to a copy of a Tuesday ruling obtained by USNI News. Read More →

Second USS Fitzgerald Officer Defers Plea to Negligence, Hazarding a Vessel Charges

Second USS Fitzgerald Officer Defers Plea to Negligence, Hazarding a Vessel Charges

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USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) returns to Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka following a collision with a merchant vessel while operating southwest of Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kryzentia Weiermann/Released)

An officer charged with negligence for her role in the collision of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) reserved her right not to enter a plea on Monday during an arraignment before a military judge. Read More →

Navy Drops Homicide Charges Against USS Fitzgerald Commander, Junior Officers

Navy Drops Homicide Charges Against USS Fitzgerald Commander, Junior Officers

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USS Fitzgerald pierside at the U.S. naval base at Yokosuka, Japan in June 2017.

This post has been updated to include statements from Cmdr. Bryce Benson and Lt. Natalie Combs.

The former commander of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and two junior officers will not face negligent homicide charges for their role in a collision off the coast of Japan that killed seven sailors last year, USNI News has learned. Read More →

Summary of Major Events Since Fatal USS Fitzgerald Collision

Summary of Major Events Since Fatal USS Fitzgerald Collision

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Last year’s fatal collisions of guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) began a chain of investigations, accountability actions and reform efforts. The following is a summary of the major events that have occurred since the early morning June 17, 2018, incident between Fitzgerald and the merchant ship ACX Crystal. Read More →

Navy Official Recommends No Criminal Trial for USS Fitzgerald Junior Officers

Navy Official Recommends No Criminal Trial for USS Fitzgerald Junior Officers

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USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) moves into Dry Dock 4 at Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka to continue repairs and assess damage sustained from its June 17 collision with a merchant vessel. US Navy Photo

Two officers who faced negligent homicide charges for their role in the fatal June 2017 USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) collision have been recommended not to face court-martial and instead be separated from the Navy, according to a recommendation following a preliminary hearing last month. Read More →

UPDATED: Senior Enlisted USS McCain Sailor Pleads Guilty to Dereliction Charge in Collision

UPDATED: Senior Enlisted USS McCain Sailor Pleads Guilty to Dereliction Charge in Collision

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Guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) is towed away from the pier at Changi Naval Base, Oct. 5, to meet heavy lift transport vessel MV Treasure on Oct. 5, 2017. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD — A senior enlisted member of the guided-missile destroyer USS McCain (DDG-56) crew pleaded guilty to a single charge of dereliction of duty for his part leading up to a fatal August 2017 collision in a summary court-martial. Read More →

Former USS Fitzgerald CO Benson Vows to Take Collision Case to Trial

Former USS Fitzgerald CO Benson Vows to Take Collision Case to Trial

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Cmdr. Bryce Benson, then-executive officer, assists in bringing down the battle ensign aboard USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) in 2016. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with a statement from the Navy.

The former commander of the U.S. warship involved in a fatal collision off the coast of Japan last year is vowing to take his case to court-martial and is accusing Navy leadership of trying him in the press before his trial. Read More →

Trial Date Set for McCain CO, Senior Enlisted Sailor; Fitzgerald CO Waives Preliminary Hearing

Trial Date Set for McCain CO, Senior Enlisted Sailor; Fitzgerald CO Waives Preliminary Hearing

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The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) is lowered from the heavy lift transport MV Treasure on December 13, 2017. US Navy Photo

A previous version of this story indicated that Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jeffery D. Butler had faced more serious charges earlier this year. In fact, Butler was neither charged with hazarding a vessel nor negligent homicide in January.

The former commander of USS John. S. McCain (DDG-56) and a senior enlisted crewmember will face separate courts-martial next week for their roles in a fatal collision that killed ten sailors in August. Read More →

USS Fitzgerald Combat Team Unaware of Approaching Merchant Ship Until Seconds Before Fatal Collision

USS Fitzgerald Combat Team Unaware of Approaching Merchant Ship Until Seconds Before Fatal Collision

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USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) returns to Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka following a collision with a merchant vessel while operating southwest of Yokosuka, Japan on June 17, 2017. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – The sailors who were manning the combat nerve center of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) did not know they were on a collision course with a ship almost three times their size until about one minute before impact, according to new information revealed in the preliminary hearing for two junior officers accused of negligent homicide for their role in the collision that resulted in the death of seven sailors. Read More →

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