We never should have brought females to the fleet. And now we’re putting them on subs.
According to several sources, Schnell was fired for sexually harassing male sailors. One former crewmember with continued ties to the Peleliu says Schnell had a reputation for preying on young enlisted men. Reportedly, the skipper regularly “rewarded” potential targets with chits entitling them to a day off from duty, along with a private lunch with Schnell himself in the Inport Cabin. Schnell described these tete-a-tetes as “the highlight of my week.” Each “Sailor of the Week” was offered niceties not otherwise enjoyed on board ship. “The CO had a type,” one observer reports. “He liked them boyish and slim.” In one glowing internal newsletter, Schnell wrote of one honoree, “I could not be more pleased with [name deleted]’s performance.” The young sailor was allowed to bring a friend of his choosing. Schnell wrote: “This is really for my benefit of course....”