Navy Formally Accuses Sailor Of Starting The Fire That Destroyed The USS Bonhomme Richard

[Jilly_in_VA]

The U.S. Navy will begin preliminary hearings to determine if it will bring arson charges against a sailor accused of starting the 2020 fire that damaged the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) so extensively it had to be scrapped. During the Article 32 preliminary hearing, an officer will review all of the available evidence before determining whether or not charges should be formally referred against the accused. The sailor has not yet been identified.

A media statement issued to Task and Purpose’s Jared Keller from Commander Sean Robertson, spokesperson of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, reads:

On July 29, charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice [UCMJ] were brought forth against a Navy Sailor in response to evidence found during the criminal investigation into the fire started on USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on July 12, 2020. Evidence collected during the investigation is sufficient to direct a preliminary hearing with due process under the military justice system. The Sailor was a member of Bonhomme Richard’s crew at the time and is accused of starting the fire.

Vice Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet is considering court-martial charges and has directed a preliminary hearing at which an impartial hearing officer will make determinations and recommendations required by the UCMJ prior to any further trial proceedings - including whether or not there is probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and to offer a recommendation as to the disposition of the case.


https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/41759/navy-formally-accuses-sailor-of-starting-the-fire-that-destroyed-the-uss-bonhomme-richard
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I'm a Navy brat, and this fire really hurt my heart. Just the thought that it could be arson, especially if intentional, hurts worse.

[BigmanPigman]

1. $30 million to scrap it.

"The emails also revealed that several other smaller fires broke out aboard three other San Diego-based ships in the 15 months leading up to the fire that eventually saw the Bonhomme Richard scrapped: a March 2019 fire on the USS Boxer (LHD-4) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship; one aboard the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Champion (MCM-4) in November 2019; and a March 2020 fire on the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), the lead ship of the Harpers Ferry class of dock landing ships. It’s unknown if the suspect in the Bonhomme Richard fire was in any way involved with those other fires."

I wonder if he started these other fires too.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. Was he a fireman?

Inquiring minds &c.

[BigmanPigman]

3. The article just says he is a sailor...

soon to be an ex-sailor.

[getagrip_already]

5. he will die a sailor....

When is yet to be determined, but if they convict him he will retain a duty status for the duration of his incarceration, which will likely be life (though execution is one of the punishments he could get).

[Brother Buzz]

4. Every sailor a firefighter

[Jilly_in_VA]

7. But is there not a particular class or rank

or designation of "fireman" as there is for medics or pharmacist mates or other specialists? I ask because rather often in civilian life it's found that volunteer or even regular firefighters have set fires just for the "thrill" of it and so they can be "heroes" or something

[Brother Buzz]

8. A pharmacist mate, or any other specialist is taught firefighting FIRST

The worst threat onboard a ship is fire, and when a fire breaks out every sailor becomes a firefighter.

[gladium et scutum]

10. There is a designation "fireman" in the Navy

It is a designation for junior non rated (E-1 to E-3) personnel in the engineering departments. There is no specific rating for fire fighters .Damage Controlman probably comes the closest. They normally are in charge of the fire parties at GQ or in-port duty sections. But they also work on watertight integrity, plumbing, minor weld repairs when needed.

[Jilly_in_VA]

12. Thank you

That's what I was asking. I knew about firefighting training from my dad's memoir. He talks about in in the part where his ship was kamikazied. But I also seemed to remember there being a specific designation and I was too lazy to go find the book.

[UTUSN]

9. Hurts this regular 4 yr enlisted, too

[Archae]

11. I smell a rat.

I posted in another thread this might be "USS Iowa 2.0" because remember that fiasco?

The Navy made up that wild claim about a sailor killing himself and everybody in that turret, because they refused to admit it was due to poor training and shoddy supplies.

Biggest difference here is the sailor in question this time is very much alive.

[Jilly_in_VA]

13. Except I think this is entirely plausible.

They may have some concrete evidence.