Owen Honors
Encyclopedia
Owen Paul Honors, Jr., is a United States Navy
captain who served as commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier before being controversially relieved of his command due to videos he had made and shown aboard the same vessel while he was serving as executive officer
.
. He graduated from Cicero High School in 1979. In 1983, Honors graduated with a BSc degree in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy
. He then went on to obtain a master of arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College
in Newport, Rhode Island
.
. Honors was then assigned to the "Be-Devilers" of VF-74
, and deployed aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60) to the Mediterranean Sea. During this tour, he attended U.S. Naval Fighter Weapons School
(Top Gun) and was selected to attend U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
, graduating in 1990. His tour was completed at the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate in Patuxent River, Maryland, in the carrier suitability department.
On 4 June 1992 Owens suffered minor injuries when his T-45A Goshawk training jet skidded off the runway. He delayed ejecting until he could prevent a collision with a nearby occupied van.
In April 1993, Honors joined the "Black Aces" of VF-41
for his department head tour deploying on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). While attached to VF-41, he served as both Operations and Maintenance Officer conducting combat operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia and Iraq.
Following his Master's degree from Naval War College in September 1996, he reported to U.S. Atlantic Command for joint duty as the Joint Reconnaissance Center Branch Head. During this tour, Honors was selected for aviation command.
In October 1999, Honors reported to the "Fighting Checkmates" of VF-211
, deploying on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Honors assumed command of the "Checkmates" in February 2001. While attached to the "Checkmates," he deployed twice to the Western Pacific/Persian Gulf
. His second deployment was on short notice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom soon after the events of 9/11.
Honors reported to the Bureau of Personnel (BUPERS) as the head junior officer detailer in May 2002. He
was selected for carrier executive officer in October 2002 and departed BUPERS in October 2003 to begin Aviation Nuclear Officer training. He reported as Executive Officer of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in July 2005, deploying twice prior to departing in September 2007.
In January 2008, Honors assumed command of the U.S. Sixth Fleet Command Ship, homeported in Gaeta, Italy. In September 2008 Honors commanded USS Mount Whitney during Operation Assured Delivery
as the ship supported humanitarian assistance missions in the Republic of Georgia during its armed conflict with Russia. Honors was quoted as saying that the mission was, "...not a show of force—it's a show of solidarity."
He has 3,400 flight hours in 31 types of aircraft with more than 700 landings on 15 carriers. He has flown 85 combat missions in three different theaters.
On 6 May 2010, Honors was appointed the 21st commander of the . Replacing Capt. Ron Horton, he was scheduled to be the last commanding officer of the ship before it is decommissioned. On 4 January 2011, he was relieved of this command.
. One video shows two male Navy sailors standing in a shower stall pretending to wash each other, and two female sailors pretending to shower together to conserve water; sailors parading in drag; homophobic slurs; and there are scenes of simulated masturbation and a simulated rectal exam.
The videos were shown on board in 2006 and 2007.
The Navy's official statement is that when officers higher in the chain of command became aware of Honors' videos in 2007, he was instructed to cease their production but no further action was taken. Honors disputes this, claiming that his superiors actively or tacitly approved of the videos and never instructed him to stop.
On 4 January 2011, as related in the New York Times:
Admiral Harvey also said in the statement that after viewing the videos, he had lost confidence in Captain Honors’ ability to lead effectively.
Honors was reassigned to an administrative role. The admiral said the Navy continued to investigate the case of the videos from 2006 and 2007 and would look into what other officers aboard the USS Enterprise knew about them.
In a written statement obtained and published by Military Times
on January 28, Honors stated that his superior officers were aware of the videos and did not instruct him to stop their production. Honors' superiors included Larry Rice, Ron Horton (both now rear admirals), Rear Admiral Raymond Spicer (since retired), Rear Admiral Richard O’Hanlon, and Vice Admiral Daniel Holloway
.
The Navy's investigation was completed on 4 February 2011. Harvey recommended that letters of censure be issued to Honors, Captain John Dixon, who was XO of Enterprise from September 2007 to June 2009, Rice, and Horton. Non-punitive letters of caution were issued to Spicer and Holloway. Rear Admirals Gregory Nosal and Clifford Sharpe were counseled. Thirty-two other sailors and officers also received non-punitive letters of caution. Horton was removed as commander of the Navy's logistics group in Singapore
.
On 18 March 2011, it was announced that Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus followed Harvey's recommendations and issued the letters of censure to Honors, Dixon, Rice and Horton. It is widely agreed that the letter effectively ends Honors' career, as further promotion will be effectively impossible.
On 24 August 2011, a three-admiral board of inquiry formally reprimanded Honors over the videos, stating that Honors "committed misconduct, failed to demonstrate acceptable qualities of leadership required of an officer in his grade and failed to conform to prescribed standards of military deportment." The board, however, voted 3-0 to retain Honors in the Navy.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
captain who served as commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier before being controversially relieved of his command due to videos he had made and shown aboard the same vessel while he was serving as executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
.
Early life and education
Honors, the son of Owen Paul Honors Sr, was born and raised in Clay, New YorkClay, New York
Clay is a town in Onondaga County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 58,805, making it Syracuse's largest suburb. The town was named after Henry Clay, statesman....
. He graduated from Cicero High School in 1979. In 1983, Honors graduated with a BSc degree in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. He then went on to obtain a master of arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
.
Military career
Designated a Naval Aviator in September 1985, Honors completed initial F-14 training with the "Grim Reapers" of VF-101VF-101
Fighter Squadron 101, also known as VF-101 and the Grim Reapers, was a United States Navy F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana until disestablishment in 2005...
. Honors was then assigned to the "Be-Devilers" of VF-74
VF-74
VF-74, Fighter Squadron 74, Be-Devilers was an aviation unit of the United States Navy in service from 1944 to 1994.-History:VF-74 was established on 16 April 1945 as VBF-20 flying the F4U-1 Corsair from NAS Wildwood in New Jersey. After six months they transitioned to the F6F Hellcat but soon...
, and deployed aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60) to the Mediterranean Sea. During this tour, he attended U.S. Naval Fighter Weapons School
United States Navy Fighter Weapons School
The United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program , more popularly known as TOPGUN, is the modern-day evolution of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School which was originally established on March 3, 1969 at the former Naval Air Station Miramar in California...
(Top Gun) and was selected to attend U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
United States Naval Test Pilot School
The United States Naval Test Pilot School , located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Patuxent River, Maryland, provides instruction to experienced United States Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and foreign military experimental test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test...
, graduating in 1990. His tour was completed at the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate in Patuxent River, Maryland, in the carrier suitability department.
On 4 June 1992 Owens suffered minor injuries when his T-45A Goshawk training jet skidded off the runway. He delayed ejecting until he could prevent a collision with a nearby occupied van.
In April 1993, Honors joined the "Black Aces" of VF-41
VFA-41
Strike Fighter Squadron 41 also known as the "Black Aces", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California ....
for his department head tour deploying on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). While attached to VF-41, he served as both Operations and Maintenance Officer conducting combat operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia and Iraq.
Following his Master's degree from Naval War College in September 1996, he reported to U.S. Atlantic Command for joint duty as the Joint Reconnaissance Center Branch Head. During this tour, Honors was selected for aviation command.
In October 1999, Honors reported to the "Fighting Checkmates" of VF-211
VFA-211
Strike Fighter Squadron 211 , nicknamed the "Fighting Checkmates", is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1945. The squadron is based at Naval Air Station Oceana and is equipped with the F/A-18F Super Hornet....
, deploying on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Honors assumed command of the "Checkmates" in February 2001. While attached to the "Checkmates," he deployed twice to the Western Pacific/Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. His second deployment was on short notice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom soon after the events of 9/11.
Honors reported to the Bureau of Personnel (BUPERS) as the head junior officer detailer in May 2002. He
was selected for carrier executive officer in October 2002 and departed BUPERS in October 2003 to begin Aviation Nuclear Officer training. He reported as Executive Officer of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in July 2005, deploying twice prior to departing in September 2007.
In January 2008, Honors assumed command of the U.S. Sixth Fleet Command Ship, homeported in Gaeta, Italy. In September 2008 Honors commanded USS Mount Whitney during Operation Assured Delivery
Operation Assured Delivery
Operation Assured Delivery was the United States Armed Forces' logistical support to humanitarian aid efforts in Georgia following the 2008 South Ossetia war. The operation provided medical supplies, shelter, food and personal hygiene items for the civilian population of Georgia.-U.S. Air Force:As...
as the ship supported humanitarian assistance missions in the Republic of Georgia during its armed conflict with Russia. Honors was quoted as saying that the mission was, "...not a show of force—it's a show of solidarity."
He has 3,400 flight hours in 31 types of aircraft with more than 700 landings on 15 carriers. He has flown 85 combat missions in three different theaters.
On 6 May 2010, Honors was appointed the 21st commander of the . Replacing Capt. Ron Horton, he was scheduled to be the last commanding officer of the ship before it is decommissioned. On 4 January 2011, he was relieved of this command.
Controversial videos
On 3 January 2011, Honors was under investigation for videos he produced, one set entitled "XO Movie Night", filmed on the USS Enterprise, and aired via closed circuit television on select Saturday evenings, while he was Executive Officer of the Enterprise. Three complete videos, produced for distribution over the ship's closed circuit video system, have been released by The Virginian-PilotThe Virginian-Pilot
The Virginian-Pilot is a daily newspaper based in Norfolk, Virginia, and serving the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, southeastern Virginia, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The flagship property of Landmark Media Enterprises, The Pilot is Virginia's largest daily...
. One video shows two male Navy sailors standing in a shower stall pretending to wash each other, and two female sailors pretending to shower together to conserve water; sailors parading in drag; homophobic slurs; and there are scenes of simulated masturbation and a simulated rectal exam.
The videos were shown on board in 2006 and 2007.
The Navy's official statement is that when officers higher in the chain of command became aware of Honors' videos in 2007, he was instructed to cease their production but no further action was taken. Honors disputes this, claiming that his superiors actively or tacitly approved of the videos and never instructed him to stop.
On 4 January 2011, as related in the New York Times:
Adm. John C. Harvey Jr.John C. Harvey, Jr.John Collins Harvey, Jr. is a United States Navy four-star admiral who serves as the 40th and current Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from March 24, 2008 to July 23, 2009...
, the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces CommandUnited States Fleet Forces CommandThe United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
in Norfolk, said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon that Captain Honors was removed for demonstrating poor judgment.
"The responsibility of the commanding officer for his or her command is absolute," Admiral Harvey said in the statement. " While Captain Honors’ performance as commanding officer of U.S.S. Enterprise has been without incident, his profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command."
Admiral Harvey also said in the statement that after viewing the videos, he had lost confidence in Captain Honors’ ability to lead effectively.
Honors was reassigned to an administrative role. The admiral said the Navy continued to investigate the case of the videos from 2006 and 2007 and would look into what other officers aboard the USS Enterprise knew about them.
In a written statement obtained and published by Military Times
Military Times
Military Times is a monthly military history magazine, published by Current Publishing and the Chelsea Magazine Company.- Overview :Military Times is edited by Dr Neil Faulkner, with George Clode, and published by Luke Bilton. The magazine covers all aspects of military history, from battles of...
on January 28, Honors stated that his superior officers were aware of the videos and did not instruct him to stop their production. Honors' superiors included Larry Rice, Ron Horton (both now rear admirals), Rear Admiral Raymond Spicer (since retired), Rear Admiral Richard O’Hanlon, and Vice Admiral Daniel Holloway
Daniel Holloway
Vice Admiral Daniel Holloway is the Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, and Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence.-Naval career:Holloway graduated from the U.S...
.
The Navy's investigation was completed on 4 February 2011. Harvey recommended that letters of censure be issued to Honors, Captain John Dixon, who was XO of Enterprise from September 2007 to June 2009, Rice, and Horton. Non-punitive letters of caution were issued to Spicer and Holloway. Rear Admirals Gregory Nosal and Clifford Sharpe were counseled. Thirty-two other sailors and officers also received non-punitive letters of caution. Horton was removed as commander of the Navy's logistics group in Singapore
Task Force 73
The US Task Force 73/Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific is a US Navy task force of the United States Seventh Fleet and is 7th Fleet's logistics force composed of supply ships and other fleet support vessels. In addition to its logistics component, it also provides industrial voyage repairs...
.
On 18 March 2011, it was announced that Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus followed Harvey's recommendations and issued the letters of censure to Honors, Dixon, Rice and Horton. It is widely agreed that the letter effectively ends Honors' career, as further promotion will be effectively impossible.
On 24 August 2011, a three-admiral board of inquiry formally reprimanded Honors over the videos, stating that Honors "committed misconduct, failed to demonstrate acceptable qualities of leadership required of an officer in his grade and failed to conform to prescribed standards of military deportment." The board, however, voted 3-0 to retain Honors in the Navy.
Awards and honors
Honors is the recipient of the following awards:- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, - Bronze Star,
- Defense Meritorious Service MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, - multiple Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s, - Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, and - various campaign/unit awards.
External links
- Global Security .com's info on the Enterprise Strike Group's (ENTSG) "MED 06" deployment.
- Global Security .com's info on the Enterprise Strike Group's (ENTSG) "MED 07" deployment (7 July 2007 to 19 December 2007) led by the strike group commander, Rear Adm. Dan Holloway.
- The Navy's Official Bio on RADM Rice states that he is on the staff of the Joint Forces Command.
- "Female Navy Flier: Videos Taken Out of Context - Raunchy Videos Made Aboard the USS Enterprise Could Cost Commander His Job"