Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 12, 1994 TAG: 9402120097
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
Vice Adm. Paul Reason, the officer in charge of Tailhook discipline, said "no further judicial action" would be taken in three cases dismissed Tuesday.
Reason also said no one tried to influence his handling of any cases. Capt. William Vest, the Navy judge who dismissed the three cases, had cited "unlawful command influence" by Chief of Naval Operations Frank Kelso.
"At no time, and in no way, was any attempt made, direct or indirect, real or implied, to influence my deliberations in Tailhook matters," Reason said at a news conference to announce that the dismissals would not be appealed.
"The termination of these cases completes action on all files sent to me for review and disposition," Reason said.
He said he planned to write letters to the three officers.
Vest, the judge in the cases of Cmdrs. Thomas Miller and Gregory Tritt and Lt. David Samples, ruled that Kelso's appointment of Reason was tainted because of Kelso's Tailhook involvement.
Vest said Kelso was exposed to misconduct, including nudity and leg-shaving, at the 1991 Tailhook convention and then tried to shield himself from investigation.
At a news conference Friday, Kelso again denied Vest's accusations.
"I've been accused of lying, I've been accused of manipulating the system to protect myself and others, and I categorically deny that," a visibly angry Kelso said at the Pentagon.
Reason said he considers Kelso "a man of principle and a very strong leader for the Navy during a very difficult time."
He also said he regretted it took so long to resolve the Tailhook issue and regretted its impact on the Navy's reputation.
But he acknowledged that some guilty aviators probably went unpunished. "I'm almost certain of it. But what would you have me do about that? Evidence is a requirement," he said.
Reason's decision brought to an end the Navy's response to a scandal that produced multiple investigations that eventually implicated 140 Navy and Marine Corps officers.
A Pentagon report said 83 women were assaulted or molested during the September 1991 Tailhook meeting in Las Vegas. About 50 officers were disciplined, but none went to trial.
Reason could have appealed Vest's ruling to the U.S. Court of Military Appeals.
by CNB