Close Menu
BmoreNews.com
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Editorial/Op-Ed
  • The Glover Report
  • Black Wall Street
  • Video
Trending
Salvation Army PlayMore FeedMore Golf, Sparrows Point Country Club, Sept. 29, 2025

Salvation Army PlayMore FeedMore Golf, Sparrows Point Country Club, Sept. 29, 2025

Unmasking Identity: Propaganda, Heritage, and the Truth

Unmasking Identity: Propaganda, Heritage, and the Truth

TGR: Ruff Challenges Attar in 41st — But Stinnett Stands with Attar

TGR: Ruff Challenges Attar in 41st — But Stinnett Stands with Attar

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
BmoreNews.com
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Editorial/Op-Ed
  • The Glover Report
  • Black Wall Street
  • Video
Newsletter
BmoreNews.com
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Editorial/Op-Ed
  • The Glover Report
  • Black Wall Street
  • Video
Home » Navy Punishes More Than 20 Sailors Over Fire on the Bonhomme Richard
News

Navy Punishes More Than 20 Sailors Over Fire on the Bonhomme Richard

Doni GloverBy Doni GloverJuly 18, 20222 ViewsNo Comments3 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Google News Flipboard
Navy Punishes More Than 20 Sailors Over Fire on the Bonhomme Richard

The U.S. Navy announced punishments on Friday to more than 20 sailors for their connection to the fire aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard that destroyed the warship, injured more than 60 military and civilian firefighters, and took four days to extinguish at a San Diego naval base in July 2020.

The punishments against the sailors are separate from criminal proceedings against Navy Seaman Apprentice Ryan Sawyer Mays, who was charged with arson in the disaster. He faces a hearing on Aug. 17, with his trial expected to run Sept. 19 through Sept. 30.

Although Seaman Mays was accused of deliberately starting the fire, the findings of an investigation released by the Navy in October 2021 revealed that the damage could have been lessened had naval officers been better prepared. “The ship was lost due to an inability to extinguish the fire,” the report said. The investigation cited inadequate training, improper oversight and a failure to properly maintain equipment as reasons for the total loss of the ship.

The punishments, issued by an independent review body known as the consolidated disposition authority, which was led by Adm. Samuel Paparo, mostly involved the ship’s leadership and fire response team.

Additionally, the three most senior officers of the ship — Capt. Gregory Scott Thoroman, the former commanding officer; Capt. Michael Ray, the former executive officer; and Jose Hernandez, the former command master chief, the ship’s senior-most enlisted sailor and a top adviser to the commanding officer — were issued letters of reprimand, with Captain Thoroman and Captain Ray also forfeiting pay.

The Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, also issued a letter of censure to retired Vice Adm. Richard Brown, who led the Naval Surface Force for the U.S. Pacific Fleet at the time of the fire. In the letter, Mr. Del Toro told Admiral Brown “you failed to identify and mitigate against the lack of oversight that contributed to the loss of the ship.”

Lt. Gabrielle Dimaapi, a public affairs officer for the Secretary of the Navy, characterized the investigation and letters of reprimand as part of a broader effort by the Navy to hold officers accountable for failing to live up to standards expected of them.

“We’re trying to be more transparent and more forward leaning in determining causes and holding those accountable,” Lieutenant Dimaapi said.

The fire that engulfed the Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship that was designed to carry thousands of Marines and deploy them from landing craft and helicopters, began when it was docked and undergoing renovations.

The fire broke out on a Sunday morning, when fewer than 200 sailors were on board, and spread rapidly. Initial firefighting efforts were halted after an explosion inside the ship forced the sailors to temporarily withdraw.

More than 400 sailors from 16 nearby ships fought the blaze, which reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees and rendered the ship inoperable. The fire is considered one of the worst to engulf an American warship outside combat.

Source: NY Times

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Copy Link
Previous ArticleHow high will temperatures go? A record is close to falling in Britain.
Next Article How Joe Manchin Left a Global Tax Deal in Limbo

Keep Reading

Salvation Army PlayMore FeedMore Golf, Sparrows Point Country Club, Sept. 29, 2025
August 26, 2025

Salvation Army PlayMore FeedMore Golf, Sparrows Point Country Club, Sept. 29, 2025

By Doni Glover
31st Ruth M. Kirk Family Fun Festival Celebrates Legacy, Community, and Service
August 12, 2025

31st Ruth M. Kirk Family Fun Festival Celebrates Legacy, Community, and Service

By Staff Reporter
Honoring Laurel Cemetery: Baltimore’s First Non-Denominational African American Cemetery Ceremony & Historical Marker Unveiling – September 13, 2025
August 11, 2025

Honoring Laurel Cemetery: Baltimore’s First Non-Denominational African American Cemetery Ceremony & Historical Marker Unveiling – September 13, 2025

By Doni Glover
2025 Impact & Accomplishments – BMORENews.com
August 9, 2025

2025 Impact & Accomplishments – BMORENews.com

By Doni Glover
Have You Seen The Doni Glover TV Show on WMAR-TV 2? 🎥
August 9, 2025

Have You Seen The Doni Glover TV Show on WMAR-TV 2? 🎥

By Doni Glover
BMORENews at 23: Celebrating Our Story at The Dome
August 9, 2025

BMORENews at 23: Celebrating Our Story at The Dome

By Doni Glover
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest News
Unmasking Identity: Propaganda, Heritage, and the Truth

Unmasking Identity: Propaganda, Heritage, and the Truth

TGR: Ruff Challenges Attar in 41st — But Stinnett Stands with Attar

TGR: Ruff Challenges Attar in 41st — But Stinnett Stands with Attar

INDIGENOUS. MOOR. HEBREW ISRAELITE. | Where Do We Go From Here?

INDIGENOUS. MOOR. HEBREW ISRAELITE. | Where Do We Go From Here?

One Baltimore: Celebrating 20 Years of Legacy and Unity (SEE PICS)

One Baltimore: Celebrating 20 Years of Legacy and Unity (SEE PICS)

Trending News
MASS INCARCERATION: Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline

MASS INCARCERATION: Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline

August 24, 2025
Ralph Lee, Maryland Basketball Legend’s Legacy #onebaltimore #bmorenews #basketballlegends #blackusa

Ralph Lee, Maryland Basketball Legend’s Legacy #onebaltimore #bmorenews #basketballlegends #blackusa

August 22, 2025
DAVID BRAMBLE: West Baltimore’s Revival – Historic Investment & Future

DAVID BRAMBLE: West Baltimore’s Revival – Historic Investment & Future

August 21, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest Baltimore news and updates directly to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
2025 © BmoreNews.com. All Rights Reserved.
  • Doni Glover
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.