Capt Brett Crozier of the USS Theodore Roosevelt begs the Pentagon to reconsider a refusal to evacuate his crew of almost 5,000 as the virus rampages through aircraft carrier's tight quarters. His email leaks. The evacuation is ordered but the Navy Secretary strips Crozier of his command. 1/4
The acting Navy Secretary, Thomas Modly, then flies to the ship's berth in Guam and addresses the crew, belittling Crozier as "naive and stupid" and mocking him as a "martyr CO" as the sailors heckle him. When audio of this leaks, Modly is quickly forced to resign. 3/4
More than 1,000 sailors ended up contracting the virus. One died - Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr., 41, the first American active duty servicemember killed by COVID-19. His wife, also a Navy sailor, was at his side. 4/4
I didn't know the victim - maybe he was heroic, maybe he kicked puppies. It was a shame that he died that way. The Captain did seem to be acting correctly, at least to those of us on the outside who had a heart or brain or spine. So many that March lacked one or more.
Adding a 5/4: Captain Crozier was among the sailors who contracted COVID and recovered. He never served on a ship again and retired in 2022, shortly after his 54th birthday. He says he regrets nothing and would do it again.
*52nd birthday, sorry. Not sure if I slipped because it was tweet 5/4 or because he's 54 today, but he was 52 when he retired from the Navy after spending two years ashore after being relieved of command.
Here’s a brief interview with Capt Crozier where he discusses the incident. Well worth it for his perspective. He did indeed risk his career for the lives of his crew, which captains are required to do - the ship and her battle readiness.
Https://youtu.be/zcJ6cRGQRcs?si=lMdMOqJNnIObV2U9
