The Right Thing

by Scott Waddle, Ken Abraham

The captain of the U.S.S. "Greeneville" reveals the untold story of the deadly collision of the nuclear submarine with a Japanese fishing vessel. His accountability, integrity, and religious conviction provides an inspiring challenge to anyone who is facing difficult choices in any area of life. (Christian)

Genres: Military Fiction, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Leadership, Religion, History

242 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 2003

Reviews

[Einar Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed The Right Thing by Scott Waddle after one of our assistant chiefs retired and abandoned it in his office. It sounded like a good leadership book and while it certainly delivered on the pledge of owning responsibility it wasn’t as compelling as Willink and Babin’s Extreme Ownership, which I read earlier this year.

Waddle, a retired navy submarine commander, was in command of the USS Greeneville when it collided with a Japanese fishing boat during an emergency main ballast blow. That maneuver sent the 7,000-ton submarine from a depth of 400 feet to the ocean’s surface in seconds. The fishing boat was above the sub at the time.

The collision and investigative proceedings were interesting, and the book’s emphasis, but I most enjoyed learning about the submariners’ training, promotional system, and lives. My cousin served the Navy’s submarine program; I’m more proud of him for his accomplishments now than before I learned about the rigorous training process. Otherwise, Waddle’s descriptions of his faith were deep while his consideration of his own actions and attitudes were shallow. He paints himself as brazen and cocky; this incident clearly devastated him but he didn’t explore his vulnerabilities as I had hoped.

[Kat Morrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doing the right thing doesn't always come with a fairytale ending. This story is a life lesson about integrity.

[Uncommon Student · Rating 5 out of 5]

This month's impulse read is brought to you by the church library. Browsing through the biography/autobiography section, I found one that jumped out to me. I love a good story of a person that I have not heard of until now. Someone with a new and fresh story for me to explore. This was story of The Right Thing by Commander Scott Waddle (Retired). And this was also the story of the U.S.S. Greenville told from the eyes of the man who captained her that day.

This was a story that I lived through and should probably know, but I was much younger when this tragic event occurred in our Nation's history (2001) and if I was told about it I do not remember. So I was able to live this historic event as it was told and I have rarely had such a feeling of dread as I did when he began to recount the moments before the accident.

The collision of the U.S.S. Greenville with a civilian Japanese fishing boat was horrible and tragic. It made news around the globe and was caused by a chain of decisions that never should have happened. The story has been documented and told elsewhere. What you will not find on Wikipedia is CMDR. Waddle's unwavering faith in God and His sovereignty over every detail. What you will not read in a history book is the unending integrity of one man and his family in the face of terrible tragedy. The Lord brought him through and continues to use his testimony today. I highly recommend this autobiography of the lesser-known faith of a well-known man.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were parts of this that were really interesting, but it ended up coming off preachy and self-serving. Certainly people can make mistakes, even big ones with tragic consequences, and they still can be good people who are earnestly trying to do the right thing. But to read this book, it seems like Commander Waddle never made a prior mistake that was his fault and not the fault of an overbearing or wrongheaded superior or underling.

[Ron Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very strong book called, “The Right Thing”. This book is about U.S. Navy Commodore Waddle and his story about an accident between his billlion dollar nuclear sub and a small Japanese fishing vessel. There was loss of life. This book is about the Cmdr.’s life’s journey pleasantly guided by his Christian faith. An uplifting story filled with adversity. The Author is brilliant in his writing carrying the story forward over a long period of time serving in the Navy.👍😇🙏✔️✔️

[Carrie Daws · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a poignant memoir about a tragic event. I found Commander Waddle’s (RET) story sincere, and his and his wife’s courage and integrity inspiring. Both the irritating military politics behind the scenes and the quiet support of nearby families were familiar and added to the sadness and the beauty of the book.

[Fred Bradford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well-written book, and a real strength of character from Cmdr. Waddle. I remember the media sensation at the time of this international incident, but it was nice to hear the Commander's account of the event, and to learn about the background.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about a very courageous and God loving man. He told the truth and took the responsibility of a crash that took lives, against advice. His love for God, his study of God's word convinced him to do the right thing and trust God with the consequences. Remarkable man.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waddle shares his heart, hurt, and vulnerability at this terrible mistake and tragedy. I would have liked to see a little more detail of how this occurred and how the Navy planned to prevent it.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scott Waddle killed 9 people and the book was him trying to gain sympathy.

[Susan Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about a Naval Commanders career during a challenging time. Taking responsibility for the incident that occurred when he was in charge.

[Kyle Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I served in the United States navy for twenty years, though not aboard submarines. I could see the navy I knew, both good and bad, on many pages of the book.

The Right Thing explores the life of Cdr. Scott Waddle, Captain of the nuclear submarine Greenville, on the day it collided with and sank the Ehime Maru, a floating Japanese high school. The first portion of the book tells about Scott Waddle, from his childhood up through his naval career. The last half is the story of the collision, sinking, the investigation and trial.

I read the book over a weekend and found it well written. Even though I knew the outcome, I was pulled into Cdr. Waddle's story. The author does more than retell the tragic events, we learn about the man and his family as they stand with him. This story is ultimately more than a tragedy; it is a story of faith and perseverance through adversity. It is hard to read of the death of young people and the legal proceedings against those who are, in many ways, like us. Countless people have come close to tragedy through momentary carelessness or inattention. The expression, "there, but by the grace of God, go I," comes to mind.

At the end of the book, Cdr. Waddle relates how he went to Japan at his own expense, visited with the families and apologized to them. He did not have to do that but it was the right thing to do. By that act, he took responsibility for his deeds and those who served with him. I recommend his story.

[Richp · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seems to primaily aimed at presenting the most positive portrayal of Waddle possible. That is unsurprising in a memoir or autobiography. What this does not do is provide an honest and realistic assessment of why this tragic failure occurred, and it actually recommends the Navy continue some of the policies that led to this to continue in the future. (I refer to the use of the sub as part of a dog andony show for distinguished visitors.) The author was too busy playing the noble victim to realize he should be grateful he was allowed to get his 20 year service vestment of his pension when he admits he cost the taxpayers about !100 million or so.

I was quite awate of this incident when first reported. I am disappointed to read an entire book and learned little to nothing nee about how and why it happened.

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a military office my mother bought this book for me for Christmas. I was done reading it in about 2 weeks. Scott Waddle was the commander of the sub that hit a Japanese fishing vessel a few years ago. It sparked an international outrage and only after reading the book did I remember hearing about the story on national news. It was interesting to see how he was able to maintain his composure and do what he felt was the right thing through his faith in God. A great book that I would recommend to anyone in a leadership position, it gives a great example of how you can keep your morale compass in the right direction and do the right thing in similar (but I hope not as grave) situations.

[Ice · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a U.S. nuclear submarine collided with a Japanese fishing vessel in the spring of 2001, the story made national headlines. Navy Commander Scott Waddle, former captain of the U.S.S. Greeneville, was at the center of the controversy. This is the first-hand, never-before-published account of that fatal moment and the heart-breaking avalanche of events that followed.

[Ben Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough read on a tough subject seeing a man's good name and career down the tube for a tragic accident and momentary slip of attention. Feel terrible for him and worse for those families who lost loved ones.

[Marcie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story regarding a mishap of a submarine manuever that ended with 9 civilians being killed and the down fall of a naval officer. Putting his faith in the Lord carries him through when his life seems to be at its last leg.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever thought about being in command and having to make all the decisions? Well, Commander Waddle tells his true story about a decision that ended in disaster. Excellent true life adventure story.

[Carol]

A story of honor and accountability

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provided a good insight to all the events before and after this horrible tragedy. Well done.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book about a horrible tragedy. A good book to share with folks facing a loss or unexpected heartache. He is a man of Christian character which is refreshing to see in the military.

[WBJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An example of what is missing in too many of this country's elected representatives.