V

THE COURT

 

 

 

Section 910, Article 110. Improper hazarding of vessel

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who willfully and wrongfully hazards or suffers to be hazarded any vessel of the armed forces shall suffer death or such other punishment as a court–martial shall direct.

(b) Any person subject to this chapter who negligently hazards or suffers to be hazarded any vessel of the armed forces shall be punished as a court–martial shall direct.

–Uniform Code of Military Justice

 

 

 

SECRET

IMMMEDIATE

From: USS Kennedy CV–67

To: Secretary of the Navy

Info: Chief of Naval Operations
Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet
Bureau of Personnel
COMCRUDESLANT
Destroyer Squadron 22

Subject: Loss of Ship

1. In accordance with Naval Regulations Article 0778, LCDR Benjamin W. BRYCE, Jr. USN, senior survivor USS Reynolds Ryan (DD–768), reports loss of ship.

2. USS Ryan was assigned to screen of USS Kennedy early morning 25 December. Reduced lighting and radar silence were observed in accordance with operation order for exercise WESTERN VIGIL. At 0210 Zulu time the formation executed turn into wind to recover aircraft. Ryan was ordered to leave the screen station and take plane guard station on Kennedy.

3. At approximately 0215 Kennedy and Ryan collided approximate position 54 degrees 26 minutes north, 16 degrees 10 minutes west. Kennedy hit Ryan starboard side amidships, cutting Ryan in two. After section sank in approximately twenty minutes, forward section fourteen minutes after collision. Search by Kennedy, Talbot, Dewey, Garcia continuing, but recovery of additional survivors unlikely. Muster shows 239 officers and men in complement, 61 survivors recovered, 178 dead or missing presumed dead.

4. All survivors and recovered bodies currently aboard USS Kennedy. CV–67 will dock Gravesend 0700 27 December for repairs/debarkation. Request instructions as to disposition of bodies and survivors USS Ryan and notification of next of kin.

BT

SECRET

Do Not Declassify Without Approval Of Addressee

 

UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF

 

From: Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet

To: Vice Admiral Charles R. Ausura, USN

Subj: Court of Inquiry to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the recent collision of USS John F. Kennedy (CV–67) and USS Reynolds Ryan (DD–768).

1. A Court of Inquiry consisting of yourself as president and of two other flag officers to be named is hereby ordered to convene in the OPNAV Conference Room, Pentagon, at 1100 5 January, for the purpose of inquiring into all the circumstances surrounding the collision between Kennedy and Reynolds Ryan. Lieutenant Commander Stanley Fox Johnstone, U.S. Naval Reserve, is hereby detailed to you as counsel for the Court.

2. The Court shall make a thorough investigation into all the circumstances connected with and surrounding the collision and the subsequent loss of USS Ryan. The Court shall report its findings of fact, opinions, and recommendations as to the cause of the collision, damage resulting therefrom, deaths of and injuries to naval personnel, and the responsibility for the collision and subsequent loss, including recommended disciplinary action.

3. All proceedings of the Court will be closed. All testimony, including the subject of such court, will be classified SECRET and witnesses and members of the Court will be so notified in writing. The courtroom will be guarded. A copy of the transcript will be forwarded daily to the Secretary of the Navy.

 

J. W. Richardson,

Admiral, US Navy

Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet