THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995              TAG: 9511170183
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A16  EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORT 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                         LENGTH: Short :   46 lines

DALTON TO MEET GREENE TO HEAR HIS STORY AS PROMOTION TO ADMIRAL HANGS IN THE BALANCE

Navy Secretary John H. Dalton agreed Thursday to meet with Capt. Everett L. Greene, whose nomination for promotion to rear admiral is in danger of being withdrawn because of allegations that he harassed a female subordinate.

Though a court-martial acquitted Greene last month of criminal charges stemming from his dealings with Lt. Mary E. Felix, Dalton has notified Greene that ``the personal judgment you exercised'' raises questions about his fitness for promotion.

Navy sources have indicated that Dalton has tentatively decided to withdraw Greene's nomination. But a service spokesman said the captain will be allowed to plead his case and that no decision has been made.

Rear Adm. Kendell Pease, the Navy's chief of information, said the service has agreed to Greene's request that it provide the captain with a full transcript of his court-martial and other hearings, including portions not heard by the jury. However, getting that job done could take several weeks, Pease said, because of the federal government's partial shutdown.

Greene suggested in a letter to Dalton and Vice Adm. Frank Bowman, the Navy's chief of personnel, that he may want the secretary to consider material in those transcripts before making a final decision about his promption.

The accusations against Greene, 47, stem from his former position as head of the Navy's sexual harassment and equal opportunity office. Greene was accused of sending a series of overly familiar cards and notes to Felix, who ran a sexual harassment hot line in the office.

Greene acknowledged sending the notes but said Felix misconstrued his intent. The lieutenant sought his counsel concerning physical and emotional problems arising from a failed romance with another naval officer; Greene said his contacts with her were part of an effort to build her self-esteem.

Greene and Felix both testified that they never had a sexual relationship, though each accused the other of suggesting they become intimate.

The Greene case has attracted national attention because of the involvement of both Greene and Felix in the Navy's drive to stomp out sexual harassment. There also are racial overtones; if promoted, Greene would be only the fifth African American among the Navy's 220 line admirals. by CNB