COVID-19 pandemic on USS Theodore Roosevelt

In spring 2020, the United States Navy aircraft carrier {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2}} was on deployment in the Pacific. The ship docked in Guam on 7 February 2020,{{Cite web |date=2020-02-07 |title=Photos: USS Theodore Roosevelt docks at Naval Base Guam |url=https://www.postguam.com/news/local/photos-uss-theodore-roosevelt-docks-at-naval-base-guam/collection_34246d5e-496a-11ea-b6ee-930451b68644.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Guam Daily Post |language=en}} when a cruise ship was denied entry to Guam for fears of the virus.{{cite web |author1=Guam COVID-19 Joint Information Center |title=Administration Denies Entry of Potentially-Infected Vessel |url=http://dphss.guam.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/JIC_2_7_2020-1.pdf |website=Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services |access-date=4 April 2020 |date=7 February 2020}}{{cite news |title=Guam denies entry to ship over coronavirus concerns |first=Jerick |last=Sablan |url=https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2020/02/07/guam-denies-entry-ship-over-coronavirus-concerns/4687803002/ |publisher=Pacific Daily News |date=7 February 2020 |access-date=9 February 2020}} The first cases in the COVID-19 pandemic in Guam were confirmed on 15 March 2020,{{Cite news |first=Anumita|last=Kaur |url=https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2020/03/15/governor-3-guam-confirmed-positive-covid-19/5053098002/ |title=Governor: 3 on Guam confirmed positive for COVID-19|website=Pacific Daily News |date=15 March 2020 |access-date=15 March 2020}} straining the island's ability to cope with additional cases.{{cite web |title=Guam Locals Unhappy With Housing U.S. Sailors From Coronavirus-Hit Aircraft Carrier |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/02/826262256/guam-locals-unhappy-with-housing-u-s-sailors-from-coronavirus-hit-aircraft-carri |website=NPR.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416185627/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/02/826262256/guam-locals-unhappy-with-housing-u-s-sailors-from-coronavirus-hit-aircraft-carri |archive-date=16 April 2020 |language=en |date=2 April 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Mabeus |first1=Courtney |title=How an Island Oasis Became the Navy's Coronavirus Epicenter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/magazine/guam-theodore-roosevelt-navy-coronavirus.html |website=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417144353/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/magazine/guam-theodore-roosevelt-navy-coronavirus.html |archive-date=17 April 2020 |date=11 April 2020 |url-status=live}}

On 5 March, the ship made a four-day-long port call at Da Nang, Vietnam. On the last night some sailors stayed at a hotel where two people had tested positive for COVID-19. Upon learning this, the crew were ordered back to the ship and the sailors who had stayed at the hotel were isolated. The ship did not have COVID-19 test kits at the time. The ship departed on 9 March.{{cite web |last1=Peniston |first1=Bradley |title=The Battle of USS Theodore Roosevelt: a Timeline |url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/04/timeline-battle-uss-theodore-roosevelt/164408/ |website=Defense One |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200411135930/https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/04/timeline-battle-uss-theodore-roosevelt/164408/ |archive-date=11 April 2020 |date=13 April 2020 |url-status=live}} Over the next weeks the ship's medical team monitored the crew for any signs of infection. The sailors associated with the hotel visit were later tested negative.{{cite web |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/04/15/covid-19-outbreak-on-theodore-roosevelt-sparked-by-flight-crews-officials-believe/ |title=COVID-19 outbreak on Theodore Roosevelt sparked by flight crews, officials believe |work=Navy Times |last=Simkin |first=J.D. |date=16 April 2020 |access-date=16 April 2020}} Samples were tested by the Navy's mobile laboratory on the ship on 19 March.{{cite web |last1=Eckstein |first1=Megan |title=Updated: USS Theodore Roosevelt Quarantines Sailors on Guam as Coronavirus Outbreak Spreads |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/03/26/coronavirus-outbreak-sidelines-aircraft-carrier-uss-theodore-roosevelt |website=USNI News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411141421/https://news.usni.org/2020/03/26/coronavirus-outbreak-sidelines-aircraft-carrier-uss-theodore-roosevelt |archive-date=11 April 2020 |date=26 March 2020 |url-status=live}}

On 22 March, a first sailor tested positive. By 24 March, three further sailors of the flight crew aboard had tested positive for the virus,{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/24/coronavirus-3-sailors-test-positive-military-readiness-affected/2910165001/ |title=Three sailors from USS Theodore Roosevelt have coronavirus, raising concerns about pandemic's strain on military |work=USA Today |last=Vanden Brook |first=Tom|author-link=Tom Vanden Brook|date=24 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020}} and the four affected sailors were flown to Guam,{{cite web |title=4 sailors with COVID-19 evacuated from USS Theodore Roosevelt to Guam |url=https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2020/03/25/4-sailors-covid-19-evacuated-uss-theodore-roosevelt-guam/5076608002/ |website=Pacific Daily News |access-date=3 April 2020 |language=en |date=25 March 2020}} as were another five the next day.{{cite web |last1=Brook |first1=Tom Vanden |title=Eight sailors from USS Theodore Roosevelt have coronavirus, raising concerns about pandemic's strain on military |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/24/coronavirus-3-sailors-test-positive-military-readiness-affected/2910165001/ |website=USA Today}}

Within a few days, that number climbed to "dozens." Theodore Roosevelt was ordered to Guam and docked on 26–27 March 2020, with most of the crew being restricted to the ship and the pier.

On 30 March, the ship's commanding officer, Captain Brett Crozier, sent an unclassified email to three admirals in his chain of command, including the commander of the United States Pacific Fleet and Admiral Stuart P. Baker, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 9 and his immediate superior. The memo outlined the coronavirus outbreak aboard the ship and recommended that he be given permission to evacuate all non-essential sailors, quarantine known COVID-19 cases, and sanitize the ship. Seven captains – five aboard Theodore Roosevelt and two who are assistants to higher admirals – were copied on the e-mail.{{Cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Lindsay |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/05/this-is-what-was-so-unusual-about-us-navy-making-captain-brett-crozier-step-down/ |title=This is what was so unusual about the U.S. Navy making Captain Brett Crozier step down – nMembers of the military can face multiple, sometimes competing, loyalties |access-date=6 April 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |last2=Friend |first2=Alice |last3=Golby |first3=Jim}}

On 31 March, over 100 sailors tested positive.{{cite web |last1=Schogol |first1=Jeff |title=Navy captain says COVID-19 is spreading through his aircraft carrier so rapidly that most of the crew needs to get off |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/uss-theodore-roosevelt-coronavirus-isolation |website=Task & Purpose |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406231152/https://taskandpurpose.com/news/uss-theodore-roosevelt-coronavirus-isolation |archive-date=6 April 2020 |language=en |date=31 March 2020 |url-status=live}} The letter was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle, which published it.{{cite news|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Exclusive-Captain-of-aircraft-carrier-with-15167883.php |title=Exclusive: Captain of aircraft carrier with growing coronavirus outbreak pleads for help from Navy|last1=Gafni|first1=Matthias |last2=Garofoli|first2=Joe |date=31 March 2020|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=6 April 2020}}

File:USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) docked at Naval Base Guam on 10 April 2020 (200410-N-SS432-1088).JPG

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File:200419-N-FZ335-1034 (49837957283).jpg

On 1 April, the Navy ordered the aircraft carrier largely evacuated, with a skeleton crew to remain aboard the vessel to maintain the nuclear reactor, the fire-fighting equipment, the ship's galley, and a disinfection crew.{{cite news|last=Peniston|first=Bradley |url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/03/us-navy-evacuating-aircraft-carrier-infected-coronavirus/164254/ |title=US Navy Evacuating Aircraft Carrier Infected by Coronavirus|work=Defense One|date=31 March 2020|access-date=1 April 2020}} About a thousand sailors were moved off the ship, partly to Naval Base Guam, and 1,700 hotel rooms were booked on Guam for TR sailors.{{cite web |last1=Genier |first1=MCSN Kaylianna |last2=Roosevelt |first2=USS Theodore |title=Staying connected, staying Theodore Roosevelt strong |url=https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/110937 |website=www.cpf.navy.mil |date=21 April 2020 |quote=We needed a surrogate communication environment which was safe, informative, supportive and effective at establishing two way communication in both a military hierarchical structure but also a flat collaborative we-are-all-in-this-together manner. For us the first step was a closed Facebook page. Sailors have been very active and have taken full advantage of this new page and all it has to offer. |access-date=25 April 2020 |archive-date=26 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426200805/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/110937 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Press Briefing with Acting Secretary Thomas B. Modly and Admiral Michael Gilday |url=https://www.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/remarks_by_the_acting_secretary_of_the_navy_honorable_thomas_b._modly,_covid-19_update_press_conference_(as_delivered).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413093357/https://www.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/remarks_by_the_acting_secretary_of_the_navy_honorable_thomas_b._modly,_covid-19_update_press_conference_(as_delivered).pdf |archive-date=13 April 2020 |location=Pentagon Briefing Room, The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia |date=1 April 2020 |url-status=live}}

On 2 April, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly relieved Crozier of his command.{{cite news |last1=Kube |first1=Courtney |last2=Gains |first2=Mosheh |title=Navy relieves captain who raised alarm about coronavirus outbreak on aircraft carrier |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/navy-expected-relieve-captain-who-raised-alarm-about-covid-19-n1175351 |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=NBC News |date=2 April 2020}} According to Modly, Crozier had sent the letter to "20 or 30 people" and had gone outside his chain of command.{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Sean |title=Aircraft carrier captain lost his command because of "Catch-22" COVID-19 dilemma |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/aircraft-carrier-captain-lost-his-command-because-of-catch-22-covid-19-dilemma/ |website=Ars Technica |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200407231021/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/aircraft-carrier-captain-lost-his-command-because-of-catch-22-covid-19-dilemma/ |archive-date=7 April 2020 |language=en-us |date=6 April 2020 |url-status=live}} However, this account was disputed by writers for the Washington Post because Crozier had addressed and sent the letter directly to his superior, Admiral Baker.

On 5 April 2020, the Navy confirmed that 155 sailors had been infected and that 1,500 sailors had been removed from the ship, a lower number than the Navy had projected several days earlier.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/sailors-uss-teddy-roosevelt-positive-covid-19-navy |title=155 sailors on USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive for coronavirus, 42 percent of all Navy infections |work=Fox News |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=4 April 2020 |access-date=5 April 2020}} A closed social media group provided communication while in quarantine.

On 4–5 April, Modly traveled to Guam to visit the ship in person.{{cite news |title=Blistering Reprimand from Navy Secretary |date=7 April 2020 |first=Helene |last=Cooper |work=The New York Times |page=A11}}{{cite web |first1=Bradley |last1=Peniston |first2=Marcus |last2=Weisgerber |title=Inside the Wild Final Week of the Acting Navy Secretary |url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/04/inside-wild-final-week-acting-navy-secretary/164710/ |website=Defense One |date=17 April 2020 }} On 5 April 1pm local time (11pm Washington time), he made a speech to the crew over the ship's public address system, strongly criticizing Crozier. The transcript and an audio recording of Modly's speech were subsequently leaked to the media. On 6 April, Modly apologized for the comment.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/acting-navy-secretary-uss-theodore-roosevelt-speech-calls-for-his-firing |title=Trump hints that he may get involved in Navy episode as Modly issues apology|last1=Casiano|first1=Louis |last2=Aaro|first2=David |date=7 April 2020|work=Fox News|access-date=7 April 2020}}

On 7 April, Modly resigned from his post. The Navy said 61% of Theodore Roosevelt{{'}}s crew had been tested for COVID-19 and 173 members had tested positive, including Captain Crozier. None were hospitalized. Two thousand sailors{{snd}}just under half the total crew{{snd}}had been moved ashore.{{cite news |last1=Borger|first1=Julian |title=US navy official apologises for calling captain behind coronavirus memo 'naive or stupid' |date=7 April 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/06/navy-coronavirus-ship-theodore-roosevelt-thomas-modly |access-date=7 April 2020}}

On 8 April, the Navy reported that 416 crew members had tested positive for the virus, and that one quarantined sailor was placed in intensive care at Naval Hospital Guam after being found unconscious in his quarantine quarters.{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/uss-theodore-roosevelt-sailor-with-coronavirus-taken-to-icu-2020-4 |title=A USS Theodore Roosevelt sailor with coronavirus was taken to the ICU as the number of cases on the aircraft carrier rises|last=Pickrell|first=Ryan |date=9 April 2020|work=Business Insider|access-date=9 April 2020}} About 2,500 sailors remained on board.

On 11 April, it was reported that more than 90% of the crew had been tested for the coronavirus, and 550 crew members had tested positive.{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/100-new-coronavirus-cases-uss-theodore-roosevelt-550-total-2020-4 |title=100 more sailors from the USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for coronavirus, making up 75% of the Navy's total cases worldwide|last=Holmes|first=Aaron |date=11 April 2020|work=Business Insider|access-date=11 April 2020}}{{cite news |last1=McNamara |first1=Audrey |title=Coronavirus cases on USS Theodore Roosevelt spike to 550|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-cases-on-uss-theodore-roosevelt-spike-to-550-2020-04-11/ |access-date=11 April 2020 |publisher=CBS |date=11 April 2020}}

As of 12 April 585 crew members had tested positive.

On 13 April, the hospitalized sailor, a 41-year old chief petty officer, died from COVID-19.{{cite news |author= |date=16 April 2020 |title=Navy Identifies USS Theodore Roosevelt Sailor Who Died of COVID-19 |url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112672 |url-status=dead |work=United States Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519124657/https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112672 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |access-date=20 May 2020 |quote=Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr., 41, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), died from COVID-19 April 13 at U.S. Naval Hospital Guam.}}{{cite news |last=Seligman |first=Lara |date=13 April 2020 |title= Sailor from USS Theodore Roosevelt dies of coronavirus|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/13/sailor-uss-roosevelt-dies-coronavirus-183164 |url-status=live |work=Politico.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507121839/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/13/sailor-uss-roosevelt-dies-coronavirus-183164 |archive-date=7 May 2020 |access-date=20 May 2020 }}{{cite web |title=Navy Sailor Assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt Dies of COVID-Related Complications |url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112614 |website=www.navy.mil |language=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516073244/https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112614 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |quote=At approximately 8:30 a.m., Apr. 9 (local date), the Sailor was found unresponsive during a daily medical check. While Naval Base Guam emergency responders were notified, CPR was administered by fellow Sailors and onsite medical team in the house. The Sailor was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam where the Sailor was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Sailor was declared deceased April 13.}}{{cite news |last1=Lamothe |first1=Dan |last2=Boburg |first2=Shawn |title=How an outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt became a defining moment for the U.S. military |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/how-an-outbreak-on-the-uss-roosevelt-became-a-defining-moment-for-the-us-military/2020/04/16/2735f85c-7f24-11ea-8de7-9fdff6d5d83e_story.html |access-date=18 April 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=16 April 2020 |archive-date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200417141514/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/how-an-outbreak-on-the-uss-roosevelt-became-a-defining-moment-for-the-us-military/2020/04/16/2735f85c-7f24-11ea-8de7-9fdff6d5d83e_story.html}}

As of 20 April, 4,069 sailors had been moved off the ship,Lara Seligman, [https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/21/navy-extends-isolation-for-uss-theodore-roosevelt-sailors-may-delay-ship-departure-198081 Sailors keep testing positive on aircraft carrier, despite 2-week isolation], Politico (21 April 2020). out of the total crew of 4,800. Some 94% of the crew had been tested for the virus, yielding 678 positive and 3,904 negative results. As of 17 April, seven crew members were in the hospital including one in intensive care.{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2020-04-17/navy-cdc-to-launch-theodore-roosevelt-coronavirus-outbreak-study |title=Seven carrier sailors in hospital with COVID-19 as Navy seeks 1,000 crew volunteers for study|last=Dyer|first=Andrew |date=17 April 2020|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=20 April 2020}} About 60% of the people who tested positive did not have symptoms.{{cite web |author1=Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali |title=Coronavirus clue? Most cases aboard U.S. aircraft carrier are symptom-free |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-military-sympt/coronavirus-clue-most-cases-aboard-u-s-aircraft-carrier-are-symptom-free-idUSKCN21Y2GB |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417054516/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-military-sympt/coronavirus-clue-most-cases-aboard-u-s-aircraft-carrier-are-symptom-free-idUSKCN21Y2GB |archive-date=17 April 2020 |language=en |date=16 April 2020 |quote=The findings are of enormous interest because the proportion of people who are asymptomatic is just simply not known |url-status=live}} As of 16 April, most of the ship had been cleaned.{{cite web |title=USS Theodore Roosevelt{{'s}} Clean Fight |url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112659 |website=www.navy.mil |language=en |date=16 April 2020}} Sailors kept testing positive for the virus even after 14 days of isolation; some who tested positive had previously tested negative. The Navy temporarily suspended post-quarantine testing and extended the sailors' isolation, delaying plans to begin moves of the crew back to the carrier. Some sailors volunteered for antibody testing.{{cite web |last1=Public Affairs |first1=USS Theodore Roosevelt |title=Theodore Roosevelt Sailors volunteer to support public health outbreak investigation |url=https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/130602 |website=www.cpf.navy.mil |date=24 April 2020 |access-date=25 April 2020 |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429123724/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/130602 |url-status=dead }}

In early May sailors who had completed quarantine began returning to the ship to get her ready to sail again.

As of 5 May, 1,156 crew members have tested positive. The Navy stopped publicly reporting tallies of new coronavirus cases on USS Theodore Roosevelt.{{cite web |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/uss-theodore-roosevelt-skipper-says-carrier-won-t-wait-for-all-sailors-to-clear-quarantine-before-going-back-to-sea-1.628458 |access-date=11 May 2020 |title=USS Theodore Roosevelt skipper says carrier won't wait for all sailors to clear quarantine before going back to sea|date=5 May 2020 |website=Stars and Stripes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516093029/https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/uss-theodore-roosevelt-skipper-says-carrier-won-t-wait-for-all-sailors-to-clear-quarantine-before-going-back-to-sea-1.628458 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |quote=Since then, at least 1,156 sailors have tested positive, one of whom died. The Navy on Friday stopped publicly reporting daily tallies of new coronavirus cases among the Roosevelt crew.}}

As of 14 May, 2,900 sailors have returned to the ship.

On 15 May five sailors on the ship developed symptoms and were found to test positive for the virus for the second time. They had previously completed a 14-day quarantine and had tested negative at least twice before being allowed to reboard. The sailors were removed from the ship along with some of their contacts. Officials said it was not clear if these cases reflect actual relapses or problems with the test.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/sailors-sidelined-uss-theodore-roosevelt-get-virus-second-time-n1208076|title=Sailors on sidelined USS Theodore Roosevelt get virus for second time|date=15 May 2020 |work=NBC News|agency=Associated Press|access-date=16 May 2020}}

On 21 May Theodore Roosevelt entered the Philippine Sea for carrier qualification flights with 3,000 sailors, leaving 1,800 still in quarantine on Guam;{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/uss-theodore-roosevelt-back-sea-coronavirus-outbreak |agency=Associated Press |date=21 May 2020 |work=Fox News |title=USS Theodore Roosevelt back at sea after coronavirus outbreak |access-date=14 August 2020}} Captain Sardiello announced that the ship would return to Guam for the remaining sailors who have successfully completed quarantine.

In early June, around 350 sailors were in isolation on Guam.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2020-06-04/uss-theodore-roosevelt-resumes-operations-more-than-two-months-after-covid-19-outbreak-began|title=USS Theodore Roosevelt resumes operations more than two months after COVID-19 outbreak began|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US|date=4 June 2020}}

File:Brett E. Crozier (2).jpg]]

When the ship arrived in Guam on 26 March the ship's commanding officer, Captain Brett Crozier, wanted to have most of the crew immediately taken ashore, saying it was impossible to prevent the spread of the virus in the close quarters of the ship. Rear Adm. Stuart P. Baker, who was the commanding officer of Carrier Strike Group 9 and thus Crozier's immediate superior, disagreed, feeling such an action was impractical and too drastic.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/us/politics/coronavirus-roosevelt-carrier-crozier.html |title='There Will Be Losses': How a Captain's Plea Exposed a Rift in the Military|date=13 April 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=13 April 2020}}

On 30 March, Crozier sent an email to communicate the status of his ship and her crew, saying it was not possible to observe CDC/Navy{{cite web |title=Restriction of Movement (ROM) guidance. Navy mitigation measures in response to Novel Coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2020/NAV20083.txt |publisher=NAVADMIN |date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331171854/https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2020/NAV20083.txt |archive-date=31 March 2020 |url-status=dead}} recommendations for individual quarantine or social distancing aboard the carrier. Crozier referred to the viral spread on the less crowded cruise ship Diamond Princess as an example of how quickly a virus can spread on a crowded vessel.{{cite web|url=https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6821571/TR-COVID-19-Assistance-Request.pdf |date=29 March 2020|title=Request for assistance in response to COVID-19 pandemic |access-date=3 April 2020}}{{cite journal |last1=Rocklöv |first1=J. |last2=Sjödin |first2=H. |last3=Wilder-Smith |first3=A. |s2cid=211564611 |title=COVID-19 outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship: estimating the epidemic potential and effectiveness of public health countermeasures |journal=Journal of Travel Medicine |year=2020 |volume=27 |issue=3 |language=en |doi=10.1093/jtm/taaa030 |pmid=32109273 |pmc=7107563 |quote=The cruise ship conditions clearly amplified an already highly transmissible disease. The public health measures prevented more than 2000 additional cases compared to no interventions. However, evacuating all passengers and crew early on in the outbreak would have prevented many more passengers and crew from infection.|doi-access=free }} The letter provided his superiors with options, including ready for battle while sick, but recommended most of the crew's evacuation, keeping only enough crew on board to maintain the nuclear reactors, provide security, and to sanitize the ship. The e-mail was sent to three superior officers in his chain of command, including his direct superior, Rear Admiral Baker, and was copied to seven captains – five of whom were aboard the Roosevelt, the other two of whom were executive assistants to the admirals.[https://blog.usni.org/posts/2020/04/17/return-crozier-to-the-roosevelt-restore-faith-in-the-navy Return Crozier to the Roosevelt, Restore Faith in the Navy]. Guy Snodgrass, United States Naval Institute. 17 April 2020 The letter was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle, which published it the next day.

On 2 April, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly relieved Crozier of his command for sending the request for assistance over non-secure email to a "broad array of people" rather than up the chain of command, adding that Crozier "allowed the complexity of the challenge of the COVID breakout on the ship to overwhelm his ability to act professionally". Crozier will remain in the Navy and retain his rank. As Crozier disembarked, sailors were seen chanting "Cap-tain Cro-zier" in a video posted to Twitter captioned "Wrongfully relieved of command but did right by the sailors."{{cite web |work=NBC News |title=Videos show sailors cheering Navy captain relieved of command after raising alarm on coronavirus |date=3 April 2020 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/videos-show-sailors-cheering-navy-captain-relieved-command-after-raising-n1175946 |first=Janelle |last=Griffith}}

{{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?470922-1/us-navy-fires-captain-raised-alarm-coronavirus-aircraft-carrier U.S. Department of Defense briefing with Navy Secretary Modly in which he announces the relief of Capt. Crozier from his duty as the captain of the Theodore Roosevelt, April 2, 2020], C-SPAN}} Modly claimed that Crozier had sent a "blast out email to anybody who he knows about the situation" and even "copied [the email] to 20 or 30 other people."{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/uss-theodore-roosevelt-commander-fired-after-unclassified-email-2020-4|title='Not acceptable': Navy claims it fired the captain dealing with coronavirus outbreak for sending 'blast out' email to at least 20 people with 'unclassified' system|last=Choi|first=David|date=2 April 2020|work=Business Insider|access-date=16 April 2020}} The Washington Post subsequently obtained the e-mail and found that it had been sent to only 10 people, all Navy admirals or captains.

Reaction to Crozier's dismissal was mixed. A Wall Street Journal story reported that on "Capitol Hill and inside the Pentagon, lawmakers and officials reacted with confusion and anger over the dismissal" of Crozier.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/captain-fired-by-navy-gets-rousing-farewell-from-sailors-11585933116?mod=hp_lista_pos2 |title=Captain Fired by Navy Gets Rousing Farewell from Sailors |last1=Youssef |first1=Nancy A. |last2=Lubold |first2=Gordon |date=3 April 2020 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}} A joint statement from four Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee, including the committee chair, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), criticized Crozier's conduct, saying that "Captain Crozier was justifiably concerned about the health and safety of his crew, but he did not handle the immense pressure appropriately. However, relieving him of his command is an overreaction."{{cite web |last1=Welna |first1=David |title=After Outcry Over Navy Captain Relieved Of Command, Assurances He Won't Be Expelled |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/03/826920834/after-outcry-over-navy-captain-relieved-of-command-assurances-he-wont-be-expelle |website=npr.org |date=3 April 2020 |publisher=National Public Radio, Inc.}} President Trump also criticized Crozier's letter on 4 April saying that it was "not appropriate."{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/04/trump-says-navy-captain-letter-asking-for-help-on-coronavirus-stricken-ship-was-terrible.html |title=Trump says Navy captain letter asking for help on coronavirus-stricken ship 'was terrible' |last=Feuer|first=William |date=4 April 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=5 April 2020}}

Modly, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday each defended the decision to remove Crozier,{{cite web |first=Rebecca |last=Kheel |title=Aircraft carrier captain removed from duty after pleading for help with coronavirus outbreak |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/490892-aircraft-carrier-captain-to-be-removed-from-duty-after-pleading-for-help-with |work=The Hill |date=2 April 2020 |access-date=6 April 2020}}{{cite web |first=Devan |last=Cole |title=Esper defends removing USS Theodore Roosevelt commander who sounded alarm over coronavirus |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/05/politics/mark-esper-uss-theodore-roosevelt-defends-removal-cnntv/index.html |work=CNN |date=5 April 2020 |access-date=6 April 2020}} although Gilday and Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had earlier advised Modly not to do it until a Navy investigation into the matter had been completed.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/us/politics/coronavirus-navy-roosevelt-crozier.html|title=Navy May Reinstate Fired Captain to Command of Roosevelt|date=16 April 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=16 April 2020}} Modly added that there was no White House pressure when the decision was made to remove Crozier.

On 6 April Modly traveled {{convert|8,000|mi}} to Guam on a Navy executive jet; the trip was later reported to have cost taxpayers at least $243,000.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/08/trip-guam-center-top-navy-officials-resignation-cost-taxpayers-least-243000/|title=Trip to Guam at center of top Navy official's resignation cost taxpayers over $243,000|last=Lamothe|first=Dan|date=8 April 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=9 April 2020}} He visited the ship and spoke to the crew over the ship's public address system. He began by blaming the Chinese government for worsening the outbreak by not revealing how bad the disease was. He continued by criticizing Crozier as "too naïve or too stupid to be a commanding officer" if he did not realize that his letter would be leaked to the media.{{cite news |last1=Ismay |first1=John |last2=Ziezulewicz |first2=Geoff |title=Acting Navy Secretary Slams Fired Captain as 'Stupid' |date=6 April 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/magazine/modly-crozier-coronavirus.html |access-date=6 April 2020}} Modly also scolded the ship's crew for cheering their captain as Crozier departed the ship. Modly's speech was widely criticized. Senator Tim Kaine stated, "It's deeply disappointing that he would deliver a speech on board a U.S. aircraft carrier suggesting that Captain Crozier might be 'stupid'."{{Cite web|url=https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-secretary-modlys-speech-aboard-the-uss-roosevelt|title=Kaine Statement On Secretary Modly's Speech Aboard The USS Roosevelt {{!}} U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia|date=6 April 2020|website=www.kaine.senate.gov|language=en|access-date=24 April 2020}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}} House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Elaine Luria called for the removal of Modly, with Luria, a Navy veteran, saying he was "in no way fit" to lead the Navy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/264591472/us-navy-morale-dives-after-firing-of-virus-riddled-ship-captain|title=U.S. Navy morale dives after firing of virus-riddled ship's captain|date=8 April 2020|work=Big News Network.com|access-date=8 April 2020|language=en}} Representative Jackie Speier, chairperson of the Armed Services Committee's panel on military personnel, also criticized the trip.{{cite news|last1=Brook|first1=Tom Vanden|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/08/navy-secretary-trip-roosevelt-cost-243-000-leads-modly-ouster/2973486001/|title=Cost of Navy secretary's trip to Guam? $243,000, his job and isolation after coronavirus exposure|date=8 April 2020|work=USA TODAY|access-date=9 April 2020}} In the evening, the same day as he made the speech, Modly apologized for the comment. The next day, 7 April, he resigned his position.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/acting-navy-secretary-resigns-in-wake-of-uss-roosevelt-11586287262 |title=Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly Resigns in Wake of USS Roosevelt Comments|last=Lubold|first=Gordon |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}

On 24 April, Gilday and acting Navy secretary James McPherson recommended to Secretary Esper that Crozier be reinstated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/navy-recommends-reinstating-captain-ousted-coronavirus-warning_n_5ea336d6c5b6f96398149364|title=Navy Says Captain Ousted For Coronavirus Warning Should Be Reinstated: Reports|last=O'Connor|first=Lydia|date=24 April 2020|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=24 April 2020}} However, Defense Secretary Esper delayed a decision pending a "deeper review" of the situation. A Navy inquiry, whose results were announced on 19 June, concluded that Crozier and Baker made poor decisions regarding the coronavirus outbreak, so that Crozier will not be restored to command of the ship, and Baker's scheduled promotion will be put on hold.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/us/politics/carrier-roosevelt-coronavirus-crozier.html|title=Navy Inquiry Faults Two Top Officers Aboard Roosevelt for Handling of Virus|last1=Schmitt|first1=Eric|last2=Gibbons-Neff|first2=Thomas|date=19 June 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=19 June 2020}}

In June 2020, ADM R. Burke, Vice Chief of Naval Operations at the Department of the Navy, released the results of his investigation concerning the chain of command actions with regard to COVID-19 onboard {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt}}. As a review of the investigation results, Burke determined that "reassigning CAPT Crozier as the Commanding Officer (CO) of the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) is not in the best interest of Navy." Burke continues his preliminary statement, stating, "It is clear to me following this investigation, CAPT Crozier did not act according to the standards I expect of our commanding officers-to adapt in the face of adversity, exercise ingenuity and creativity in crisis, demonstrate resilience, communicate effectively up the chain of command, and to take bold and appropriate action early and often. His actions and inactions in the timeframe before sending the email fell well short of what I expect from our officers in command."{{cite web |last1=Burke |first1=ADM R. |title=COMMAND INVESTIGATION CONCERNING CHAIN OF COMMAND ACTIONS WITH REGARD TO COVID-19 ONBOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CNV 71) |url=https://www.secnav.navy.mil/foia/readingroom/HotTopics/TR%20INVESTIGATION/TR%20CI%20Report%20with%20CNO%20Endorsement%20(Redacted%20for%20release).pdf |website=Department of the Navy |access-date=26 July 2021}}

On 13 April, the death of a 41-year-old chief petty officer, was announced.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5823124/sailor-dies-coronavirus-identified/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417032340/https://time.com/5823124/sailor-dies-coronavirus-identified/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2020|title=First Active-Duty Navy Sailor to Die From COVID-19 Is Chief Petty Officer From Stricken Aircraft Carrier|date=16 April 2020|magazine=Time|access-date=17 April 2020}} Charles Thacker Jr. was the first active-duty member of the U.S. military to die of COVID-19.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-13/navy-sailor-from-uss-theodore-roosevelt-died-of-covid-19 |title=Navy Sailor Dies in Guam After Virus Outbreak Aboard Carrier |work=Bloomberg.com |last=Capaccio |first=Anthony |date=13 April 2020 |access-date=14 August 2020}}

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In total, 1271 crew members tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 and an additional 60 had suspected COVID-19 but did not test positive; 76.9% of those who tested positive were asymptomatic at testing and only 55% developed any symptoms.{{cite journal|date=December 17, 2020|title=An Outbreak of Covid-19 on an Aircraft Carrier|url= |vauthors=Kasper MR, Geibe JR, Sears CL, Riegodedios AJ, Luse T, von Thun AM, MCGinnis MB, Olson N|display-authors=6|journal=New England Journal of Medicine|volume=383|issue=25|pages=2417–2426|doi=10.1056/NEJMoa2019375|pmid=33176077|pmc=7675688}}

{{div col}}

• COVID-19 pandemic on the Charles de Gaulle, a similar outbreak on a French aircraft carrier
• COVID-19 pandemic on naval ships
• COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
• COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania

{{end div col}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.cpf.navy.mil/COVID19/uss-theodore-roosevelt-faq/ Frequently Asked Questions, USS Theodore Roosevelt COVID-19 Recovery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425084953/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/COVID19/uss-theodore-roosevelt-faq/ |date=25 April 2020 }}

{{COVID-19 pandemic}}

{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}

Category:2020 in Guam

Category:2020 controversies in the United States

Category:Maritime incidents in 2020

USS Theodore Roosevelt

USS Theodore Roosevelt

USS Theodore Roosevelt

Category:United States Navy in the 21st century

Category:Maritime incidents in Oceania

Category:Maritime incidents in the United States

Category:Medicine in the United States Navy

Category:Disease outbreaks in Guam

Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transport

Category:United States military controversies