Congressman Pete King Massapequa Park District Office 1003 Park Boulevard Massapequa, NY 11762 516-541-4225 email [email protected]
April 7, 2020
Re: Captain Brett E. Crozier
Dear Representative King,
As citizens and residents of your legislative district, we respectfully demand a thorough investigation into the dismissal from command of Captain Brett E. Crozier, Commander of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt.
We find it contradictory to all measure of his authority as Commander to dismiss him for placing his crew above his career after demanding more help as the COVID-19 spread through his shop. The decision of Acting Secretary Richard V. Spencer to remove Commander Crozier points to the type of leadership that necessitated Commander Crozier’s actions in the first place.
Commander Crozier risked his decorated career in the interest of service men and women under his command. Any punishment or discipline meted out to him for his decision is wrong and needs to be reversed. We all understand the importance of the “chain of command” and expect that to include decisions such as Captain Crozier’s in conditions such as those he faced.
Congressman King, this decision is wrong and it is embarrassing that other ways to assure the treatment and safety of the crew were not available to the Commander. It is is equally wrong that leadership of the United States Navy chooses extreme measures to quiet those whose appropriate actions might reflect poorly on this administration or any administration. We respectfully as that you insist on an investigation and the return of Captain Crozier to active duty as the Commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. That, Congressman, is the right thing to do. Sincerely,
cc: Thomas Modly, Acting Secretary of the Navy Office of the Acting Secretary of the Navy 1000 Navy Pentagon, Room 4D652 Washington, D.C. 20350
Senator Chuck Schumer https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/email-me