Navy captain who pleaded for help in coronavirus outbreak on carrier relieved of command

The Navy on Thursday has relieved the captain of the coronavirus-stricken USS Roosevelt shortly after his plea for help for his sailors went public.

Capt. Brett Crozier, who commands the aircraft carrier with a crew of about 5,000, will be relieved of his command but keep his rank and remain in the Navy, NBC News first reported.

JUST IN: The captain of a nuclear aircraft carrier who pleaded with U.S. Navy officials for more resources for sailors infected with the coronavirus is expected to be relieved of his command. https://t.co/EZwVSQjoOr

— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) April 2, 2020

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly announced the decision at the Pentagon, criticizing the way Crozier expressed his concerns and saying the officer let the stress of the outbreak, which has affected more than 100 crew members, “overwhelm his leadership.”

Modly said Crozier created a 'particular level of alarm' by predicting loss of life if crew remained aboard. At same time Navy is complying with much of Crozier's request by moving at least 2/3 crew off ship.

— Missy Ryan (@missy_ryan) April 2, 2020

In a letter to Navy leaders that was obtained and published Tuesday by the San Francisco Chronicle, Crozier warned of dire consequences if most of the sailors on the carrier aren’t evacuated. The ship has been docked in Guam since last week while the entire crew is tested for coronavirus.

“We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die,” Crozier wrote. “If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our sailors.”

The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus was fired today by Navy leaders.

They said he created a panic by sending his memo pleading for help to too many people.@nickschifrin has more on this story: https://t.co/wKwE1hsyBq pic.twitter.com/S1DClU9J1K

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) April 2, 2020

The official reason for Crozier’s removal from command is a loss of trust and confidence, according to the sources cited by NBC.

Navy Capt. Brett Crozier sure looks like a hero to me. He put the well-being of those under his command above his own career. #Trump’s Navy Sec. Thomas Modly has some explaining to do about ordering Crozier’s removal as the CO of the USS Theodore Roosevelt https://t.co/auDnaC9aXH

— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) April 2, 2020

Carrier commander's letter was sent outside the chain of command at the same time the @USNavy was "fully responding," says @SECNAV. pic.twitter.com/LGz6hzFB0P

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) April 2, 2020

As a veteran said to me just now, if Capt. Crozier had committed a war crime instead of trying to save his sailors, his command would be assured. https://t.co/6sRYkLVZPD

— Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) April 2, 2020