San Diego

Capt. Larry (Hoss) Pearson, who was recently relieved as commanding officer of the Miramar Naval Air Station because of fraternization charges, has lost his appeal for a reprieve, Navy officials said Thursday.

Pearson, a renowned pilot who joined the Navy 25 years ago, was accused this spring of having an affair with Lt. Janet McCully, the head of Miramar’s legal department. Both Pearson and McCully were fined and punished on charges of fraternization--military rules established to prevent favoritism. Both Pearson, who retired, and McCully, who chose to remain in the Navy, where she has served six years, are married.

McCully’s appeal to commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert J. Kelly, was also denied, said Cmdr. Sheila Graham, spokeswoman for the Pacific Fleet’s Naval Aviation.

Both McCully and Pearson were notified by letters from Kelly, and receipts for those letters were received this week, Graham said. There is no other recourse for either, Graham said.

In an administrative hearing in April, Pearson, a hero of the Vietnam War, offered to retire, and a letter of censure was permanently entered on his service record. He was also fined $3,000 and reassigned to a far less prestigious post before his June 1 retirement.

In a separate hearing, McCully was fined $1,500, relieved of her duties and reassigned to the 32nd Street Naval Station.