{"id":22346,"date":"2019-04-11T02:38:27","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T02:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/04\/11\/navy-expected-to-drop-criminal-charges-against-fitzgerald-skipper\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:12:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:12:46","slug":"navy-expected-to-drop-criminal-charges-against-fitzgerald-skipper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2019\/04\/11\/navy-expected-to-drop-criminal-charges-against-fitzgerald-skipper\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy drops all criminal charges against commander, junior officer in Fitzgerald collision cases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy is expected Thursday to drop criminal charges against the commanding officer of the warship Fitzgerald<\/a> and another officer who were facing court-martial trials tied to the fatal 2017 collision with a merchant vessel, according to Navy officials and the family of one of the fallen sailors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navy Times obtained a letter to the family of one of the sailors drowned in the disaster and it indicated that Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson<\/a> was dropping charges against the Fitz\u2019s skipper at the time of the collision, Cmdr. Bryce Benson<\/a>, and the tactical action officer, Lt. Natalie Combs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe cases are being dismissed for legal reasons that impede the continued prosecution of either officer,\u201d the message states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer will issue letters of censure to both officers, the message stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense attorneys for Benson and Combs said they had not been officially notified about their clients\u2019 legal fates but the messages were confirmed to Navy Times by officials at the highest levels of the sea service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late Wednesday evening, a prepared statement from the Pentagon emailed to Navy Times revealed that Spencer made his decision following a recommendation from the CNO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis decision is in the best interest of the Navy, the families of the Fitzgerald sailors, and the procedural rights of the accused officers. Both officers were previously dismissed from their jobs and received non-judicial punishment,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe comprehensive program to improve Navy readiness and training, to do everything possible to ensure that accidents like this will not recur, remains on track. The Navy continues to strive to achieve and maintain a climate of operational excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richardson himself will withdraw and dismiss charges in the general courts-martial cases against the two officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Navy will always keep the lost sailors and their families in its thoughts and prayers,\u201d the statement concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\t