Navy Files Charges In Deaths Of 3 Maryland Sailors

WASHINGTON, DC – The former commanders of two guided-missile destroyers that were involved in fatal collisions last year, taking the lives of 17 sailors, will face charges including negligent homicide and dereliction of duty. Three Maryland sailors were among those killed in the accidents. Cmdr. Bryce Benson, who commanded the USS Fitzgerald, and Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez, who led the USS John S. McCain, will also face the possibility of court-martial.

The ships, both part of the Navy's Seventh Fleet, were involved in collisions with merchant vessels two months apart. "After careful deliberation, today Adm. Frank Caldwell announced that Uniform Code of Military Justice charges are being preferred against individual service members in relation to the collisions," Acting U.S. Navy Chief of Information Capt. Greg Hicks said.

Hicks said that hearings will be held to consider charges against Benson, Sanchez, two lieutenants, and one lieutenant junior grade. A chief petty officer aboard the McCain also faces a charge of dereliction of duty.

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, died in the USS Fitzgerald mishap. His body was located in a flooded berthing compartment of the ship, after divers gained access to the damaged spaces.

Martin was an alumnus of Lansdowne High School (class of 2010), then joined the Navy, with stints in Guam and Japan, according to The Baltimore Sun. His father reportedly said: "He was a patriot."

Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kevin Sayer Bushell, 26, and Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Timothy Thomas Eckels Jr., 23, both from Maryland, died in flooded compartments after the McCain collided with a tanker near Singapore. Bushell was a 2009 graduate of Gaithersburg High School who joined the Navy seven years ago, while Eckels graduated in 2012 from Manchester Valley High School.

Rachel Eckels, told The Baltimore Sun that in high school Timothy wanted to join the Army, and she urged him to instead enlist in the Navy, thinking it would be safer if the country was at war. He was first assigned to the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, and disappointed to remain in Maryland, she said. In October he flew to Japan en route to his station on the McCain, and he was excited at the chance to see the world.

Carroll County Superintendent of Schools Stephen Guthrie said of Eckels in a statement, "As a student at Manchester Valley High School, Tim was a wonderful young man and a pleasure to be around. He was known for making everyone better by his presence, whether it was as a member of the baseball and soccer teams, or as a student at the school. As a school system, we are saddened by this tragedy, but proud of Tim for his commitment and service to his country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."

The announcement of an Article 32 hearing and referral to a court-martial is not intended to and does not reflect a determination of guilt or innocence related to any offenses, Hicks said. "All individuals alleged to have committed misconduct are entitled to a presumption of innocence.

The incidents led to the dismissal of Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin as commander of the Seventh Fleet. That was followed by a surprise announcement that the commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, had announced earlier-than-expected plans to retire.

FITGERALD COLLISION
The Fitzgerald collided with the container ship ACX Crystal on June 17. Seven sailors died in the incident, which led to the ship being badly damaged. The Navy's investigation found that "numerous failures" had "occurred on part of leadership."

MCCAIN COLLISION
On August 21, the McCain – named for the father and grandfather of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), both of whom were admirals in the Navy – collided with the tanker ALNIC MC.

Ten sailors, trapped in their berthing compartment – where sailors sleep – died in the incident. Forty-eight other sailors were injured.

In the same report that addressed the crash of the Fitzgerald, the Navy blamed "loss of situational awareness in response to mistakes" and "failure to follow the International Nautical Rules of the Road."

Patch Editor Feroze Dhanoa contributed to this story.
Photos courtesy US Navy.