The Region : Navy Supply Officer’s Appeal Rejected

The Navy rejected an appeal by a former supply officer at Miramar Naval Air Station, fired for his role in purchasing aircraft ashtrays at $659 apiece, The Times has learned. Navy Secretary John F. Lehman Jr. sent Cmdr. Jerry Fronabarger a tersely worded letter last week that said, “(The appeal) has been reviewed and no corrective action is required. Accordingly, your request is denied.” But Fronabarger, who in August asked President Reagan to publicly exonerate him, said he was “pleased” and “happy” with Lehman’s response. “To me this was like an answer to my prayers and an early Thanksgiving,” said Fronabarger, 44, who has served in the Navy for 18 years. “I really believe what they have put on paper can easily be understood as an affirmation that I was not removed for cause.” However, Navy officials in Washington and San Diego described Fronabarger’s interpretation of Lehman’s action as “a pipe dream.”