THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511190152
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DALE EISMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
The Navy's top brass on Saturday signaled their agreement with the forced resignation of Adm. Richard C. Macke, whose comments about the rape and abduction of an Okinawan girl by three U.S. servicemen have triggered an international uproar.
Navy Secretary John H. Dalton said he ``was outraged - and severely disappointed'' at Macke's statement Friday that the men could have hired a prostitute for the money they spent to rent a car used in abducting their 12-year-old victim.
``There is no place in today's Navy for attitudes that reflect a regard for women as property or show insensitivity toward the victim of rape and brutal assault,'' Dalton said. ``Adm. Macke's decision to retire was most appropriate.''
Adm. Mike Boorda, the chief of naval operations, sent written orders to all the service's flag officers to discuss the Macke case and the Okinawa rape in detail with their subordinates.
``I want you and your subordinate commanders to make it very clear to all hands that their leaders understand this issue, expect them to understand it as well, and that criminal behavior such as this simply has no place in our Navy and will not be trivialized by comparing it to anything other than what it is - a violent crime,'' Boorda said.
Boorda said the discussion should take place as part of a daylong ``stand down'' of naval forces he has ordered for a review of ``good order and discipline'' in the service. ``This is precisely the type of thing that we have to address if the stand down is to be effective . . .'' he wrote. ``Talk about it in a straightforward manner.''
Boorda also urged the other Navy leaders to ensure that the stand down addresses ``the basics of what it means to be in our Navy, to adhere to its core values, and to the absolute requirement for behaving properly, within the law, and with due regard and respect for each other.
``Each infraction or miscue, and we've had plenty lately, detracts from us all and demeans our service,'' he added.
Boorda ordered the stand down after receiving reports that a Navy chief petty officer groped a female sailor during a flight from Norfolk to the West Coast last month and that other Navy people aboard the plane failed to intercede on the woman's behalf.
In the Okinawa case, a sailor has confessed to rape and two Marines who were with him have admitted to helping abduct the 12-year-old. The Marines insist they did not take part in any rape, however. All three men are on trial in a Japanese court.
Macke, commander of all U.S. forces in Japan and the rest of the Pacific, submitted his resignation Friday night, after commenting on the Okinawa case during a breakfast with reporters. He earlier had apologized, , but his contrition clearly satisfied neither the Clinton administration nor senior defense officials. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
``This is precisely the type of thing that we have to address if the
stand down is to be effective.''
Adm. Mike Boorda, left, of the comment made by retiring Adm. Richard
C. Macke.
Map
KRT;VP
U.S. MILITARY ON OKINAWA
KEYWORDS: RAPE U.S. NAVY SEX CRIME CHILD
MOLESTER KIDNAPPING ARREST by CNB