Supporters Question Firing of Admiral

A Navy admiral fired for allegedly violating ethics standards which he championed is drawing support in Congress and from civic leaders here and in San Diego.

Vice Adm. John Fetterman was removed as chief of the Pensacola-based Naval Education and Training Command last month for allegedly protecting an aide from punishment or possible discharge. The aide had been accused of making homosexual advances to other sailors.

Fetterman, who ordered the development of “core values” training to counteract racism, sexual harassment and other unethical behavior in the ranks, denied any violations.

But he agreed to retire rather than fight to retain his command. The Navy ordered him reduced to two-star rank upon retirement and issued a letter of censure against him.

Fetterman is getting support in San Diego, where he commanded the Pacific Fleet’s naval air forces before transferring to the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Mayor Maureen O’Connor has drawn up a resolution asking President Bush, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, Navy brass and Congress to “undo the wrong” done to Fetterman.

The resolution, scheduled for action Monday by the San Diego City Council, calls Fetterman a “naval statesman and hero” and asks that he be allowed to retire without tarnish to his reputation.

U.S. Rep. Earl Hutto, D-Fla., whose district includes Pensacola, has asked Acting Navy Secretary Sean O’Keefe to allow Fetterman to retire at his present three-star rank. Hutto said O’Keefe told him he would consider the request.

Hutto has read a Navy Inspector General report that led to Fetterman’s removal but wouldn’t say if he thinks the admiral did anything wrong.

“I do feel that Adm. Fetterman has had such a distinguished career in this 37 years that even if he had done something to protect another, it shouldn’t warrant such a harsh judgment,” Hutto told the Pensacola News Journal for a story published Sunday.

Fetterman contends he’s a victim of a frenzy of public criticism against the Navy following the Tailhook sexual harassment scandal that also cost H. Lawrence Garrett his job as Navy secretary.

Naval aviators allegedly groped and partially undressed at least 26 women, many of them fellow officers, during a Tailhook Association convention last September in Las Vegas. The naval aviation booster group is comprised of retired and active-duty fighter pilots.

Sen. Connie Mack, R-Fla., a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, has talked to Adm. Frank Kelso, chief of naval operations, about Fetterman’s situation but isn’t yet ready to make a judgment, said an aide, Mark Mills.

“His concern is that Admiral Fetterman receive a fair hearing,” Mills said. “Quite frankly, if he were convinced that everything had been handled properly up to this point, he wouldn’t be asking the kinds of questions he’s asking.”

Other members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, including chairman Sam Nunn, D-Georgia, also have shown interest in the Fetterman matter, said Garrett Walton, a Pensacola lawyer who is leading a lobbying effort in that city on behalf of the admiral.

“Admiral Fetterman has gotten a bum deal for a man with his record,” Walton said. “He had not just been turned out to pasture. He has been thrown in the trash can.”

Fetterman’s backers apparently concede his retirement decision, one he had been considering even before he was fired, is irrevocable. But they want him to go out with honor.

Pensacola’s mayor and chamber of commerce have issued resolutions praising Fetterman’s service.

Fetterman was known as a “people’s admiral,” looking out for the interests of the common sailor. But that attitude allegedly is what got him in trouble.

The Navy Inspector General’s office has refused all except congressional requests for copies of its report and has asked congressmen not to disclose its contents.

The Navy, however, has said Fetterman erred by failing to turn over the allegations against his aide to the Naval Investigative Service. Military regulations call for the discharge of homosexuals.

Fetterman said he referred the case instead to the man’s commanding officer because NIS investigations take too long and it was a volatile situation as the accused and his accuser worked in close proximity.

Investigators recommended a court-martial, but the commanding officer ordered a lesser punishment.

Neither the Navy nor Fetterman have named names, but The New York Times and other publications have identified the aide as Chief Petty Officer Edmund R. Bonnot and his commanding officer as Cmdr. Wayne Hurst.

Hurst reportedly ordered a reprimand and alcohol abuse counseling for Bonnot. Fetterman denied having influenced Hurst’s decision, saying he approved it out of respect for the position of commanding officer.

The Navy has sent the case for possible reconsideration to Rear Adm. Louise Wilmot, acting chief of naval education and training.