The US Navy announced earlier last week that it had relieved Captain Lenard C. Mitchell of his command following the grounding of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4) near the coast of Libreville, Gabon.
This decision came after an initial review of the May incident revealed enough concerns to warrant such a measure.
The Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base, experienced what the Navy described as a “soft grounding” on May 9, 2024.
“Woody” was in Ghana for the Obangame 2024 maritime exercise, that saw 13 nations from West Africa, Europe, and North America in attendance. The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Tema, Ghana for a regularly scheduled port visit, April 19, 2024. The ship previously conducted a port visit to Tema in March, departing the port along with two Ghana Navy ships for Exercise Sea Lion 24, March 19. After finishing Sea Lion, the ship continued their normal cycle of training and exercises with other partner nations, including Nigeria, and Italy.
The ship was stuck for approximately four hours on the 9th of May, before refloating on the high tide. Fortunately, no injuries or serious damage were reported during the incident. Woody is named after the legendary Marine and Medal of Honor recipient who famously wielded a flamethrower against Japanese fortifications on Iwo Jima.
Capt. Mitchell, who had been at the helm of the ship’s Gold Crew since November 2022, was reassigned to Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, pending the results of a full investigation.
The Navy has not disclosed specific details leading to the grounding, as the investigation remains open. However, the action taken reflects the Navy’s stringent policy of accountability, where commanding officers bear ultimate responsibility for their ships and crew.
“The US Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standard and takes action to hold them accountable when those standards are not met. Naval leaders are entrusted with significant responsibilities to their Sailors and their ships,” the Navy wrote in its press release statement.
Vice Adm. Thomas E. Ishee, commander of the US 6th Fleet, decided to relieve Mitchell, marking a rare instance in which the Navy has explicitly linked such a decision to an ongoing investigation.
The military typically uses the term “loss of confidence” as a broad explanation for relieving officers, covering a range of potential issues, both professional and personal.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of the Navy taking swift action against commanders following mishaps.
In 2024 alone, the Navy has already relieved at least 13 commanding officers, a pace that could exceed last year’s total of 16.
Capt. Mitchell, a commanding officer with more than 30 years of service, will be temporarily assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, while Capt. Michael Concannon will assume duties as interim commanding officer onboard Hershel “Woody” Williams, the Navy said,
Hershel “Woody” Williams, is continuing its mission with US Naval Forces Africa without disruption.