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Navy fires captain who sought help for virus-stricken ship

Posted at 4:49 PM, Apr 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-03 06:33:23-04

The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing coronavirus outbreak has been fired. Navy leaders said Thursday the captain created a panic by sending a memo pleading for help to too many people. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly says Capt. Brett Crozier demonstrated "poor judgment” in a crisis. Modly says the captain copied too many people on the memo, which was leaked to a California newspaper and quickly spread to many news outlets. Crozier raised warnings the ship was facing a growing virus outbreak and asked permission to isolate the bulk of his crew members on shore. He said, “We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die."