Richard C. Macke

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Admiral Richard C. Macke
Admiral Richard C. Macke

Richard C. Macke was an United States Navy Admiral and commander of United States Pacific Command from July 19, 1994 until January 31, 1996. He was sacked from that post in November 1995, hours after making insensitive comments to reporters about the case of U.S. sailors and a Marine accused of kidnapping, beating and raping a 12-year-old Japanese girl. He said "I think it was absolutely stupid. I have said several times: for the price they paid to rent the car [used in the crime], they could have had a girl [prostitute]".[1]. Macke retired from the Navy April 1, 1996 as a two-star admiral, two stars lower than the rank he previously held. Later that year, he was censured by the Navy for matters related to an affair he had before his retirement with an unidentified female Marine Corps lieutenant colonel.

Macke was also the one responsible for arranging for the civilians to ride aboard the USS Greeneville in 2001 on the occasion that, when the submarine surfaced, it hit and sank the Ehime Maru, a Japanese boat carrying high school students. Nine Japanese civilians aboard the Ehime Maru were killed in the incident. As a result of a request by Macke, a civilian was allowed to be at the helm of the submarine when the accident occurred.[citation needed]

Macke refused to testify at the court of inquiry of Cmdr. Scott Waddle, the commander of the USS Greeneville at the time of the accident.

Macke commanded the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower from July 6, 1984 through October 18, 1986.

After his Navy career, Adm. Macke has served as a vice president of Wheat International Communications Corporation [2].

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Preceded by
Harold T. Fields (acting)		 Commander, United States Pacific Command
1994–1996		 Succeeded by
Joseph Prueher