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(More customer reviews)I remember watching the news reports of the tragic collision between the USS Greeneville and the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru two years ago. I felt great compassion for the victims and their families, but I also felt sorry for the Sub Commander who despite his own grief over the 9 deaths, and the end of his career, found the strength to try and do what was right.
"The Right Thing" tells us the behind-the-scenes story of how Commander Waddle was left adrift at sea by the Navy in the aftermath of the tragedy with little direction, support or even adequate legal representation. Despite it all (guilt over the loss of life, the pain of being relieved of command, the intense pressure and expense of mounting a legal campaign to save his own life, being at the center of an international incident and media firestorm, and disappointment over the actions/inaction of the Navy he loved and served for 24 years)Commander Waddle took full responsibility for the accident and the performance of his crew. He even took the witness stand at great peril and against the strong advice of is lawyers. His requests to officially apologize after the incident were unheeded, and yet he felt compelled to personally apologize to the Japanese Government and to the families of the victims themselves. The irony here is that his actions after the event actually upheld the honor of the Navy and the United States, despite their treatment of him.
The testimony given in the Inquiry gives us the startling facts of what really happened and who actually had the information that could have avoided the accident.
I was inspired by this book. I was inspired by Commander Waddle's faith, determination and character. Ten chapters in I could not put it down and read until the early hours to finish.
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