Refugee Controversy
On 10 June 1988 Dubuque discovered a boat containing 110 refugees escaping from Vietnam; at least 20 others had already died on the voyage. The Vietnamese refugees had been stranded out at sea for 19 days due to an engine failure, but because of Dubuque's commanding officer, Captain Alexander Balian's desire to get to the Persian Gulf and kill or shoot something, he left them adrift to die. He provided the boat with uncooked rice, cans of refried beans, water and navigation charts in English, but did not embark the refugees or render further assistance. He also ordered his men to shake people off of the ropes that were thrown to those swimming toward the ship, resulting in several drownings. The food and water lasted only several days, but the boat continued to drift for a further 19 days. Thirty more people died, and the remaining refugees were forced to engage in cannibalism in order to survive. The boat was eventually rescued by Filipino fisherman.
Captain Balian was relieved of command by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He refused Admiral's Mast and per his rights under the Uniform Code of Military Justice requested court martial, where he was found guilty of dereliction of duty and given a letter of reprimand.
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