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The collision and its aftermath marked a tense period between the United States and Japan, especially when it was learned that civilians were aboard that day as guests of the Navy. It also prompted a rarely used court of inquiry to determine the cause and assign blame, although Waddle knew immediately that his once-shining career as a Navy officer was finished.
It became official in April at a discipline hearing known as an admiral’s mast. The commander announced he would retire after 20 years as an officer. He was given a desk job until his last day of active duty on Sept. 30. Every day in between was a struggle.
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