Bad Judgment, Lack of Integrity
Reason Cited for Arnheiter Removal

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The Navy said Friday that it relieved the controversial skipper of a destroyer escort operating off Vietnam because he would create pretexts for shelling the shore -- without even knowing whether friendly forces were in the area.

The Navy cited this and other examples of what it called 'bad judgment and lack of integrity" as factors in its decision to relieve Lt. Cmdr. Marcus Arnheiter of command of the USS Vance on March 31; 1966. The Navy made available the findings of a May, closed hearing into the Arnheiter case following an unofficial inquiry in Congress this week at which only pro-Arnheiter evidence was aired. The unofficial hearing was held by Rep. Joseph Resnick, D-NY.

Arnheiter, a 42-year-old Annapolis graduate, contends he was undermined by mutinous junior officers who resented his efforts to whip into shape a ship and crew that were woefully unprepared to go into war. But the Navy said Friday that the Vance he had taken command of was a "fine ship with and outstanding" record and in just three months its crew largely felt "they had become the laughing stock of the fleet." The Navy said Arnheiter sought and created pretexts for departing from his assignment of inspecting junks operating in coastal waters.

It said Arnheiter "violated his operating instructions" by bombarding the Vietnam Coastline, without having been assigned such missions and without knowing whether U.S. or friendly forces were in the vicinity. There is strong evidence that he utilized the scout boat and the ship's motor whaleboat as 'bait' in an effort to draw fire from the shore, so the Vance could return the fire in violation of policy," the Navy said. "it said he covered up "his true position by sending false position reports."

The Navy said Arnheiter also disregarded standing orders by stopping and boarding the French merchant ship SS Dinard without obtaining authorization from his operational command. The Navy said an "exhaustive review" of the case led to "the conclusion that Lt. Cmdr. Arnheiter had been treated properly from a procedural point of view, that his relief was proper under the circumstances, the investigation was adequate, (and) that the review was thorough."

As to Arnheiter's charge that mutinous junior officers conspired against him, the Navy said "the most that can be said in this regard is that Lt. Cmdr. Arnheiter's failure in leadership cost him the willing support of all of the officers and many of the enlisted men of the USS Vance.

This story was sent to me by Jack Jenkins, CCS, Plank Owner