Sub’s homecoming somber

NORFOLK, Va. – The widow of a sailor swept from the deck of his submarine off the coast of England greeted her husband’s crew members with gold commemorative coins to mark their bittersweet homecoming.

Tina Higgins smiled and handed each sailor the token at Norfolk Naval Station on Tuesday when the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine arrived home after a six-month deployment.

The sailors from the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul wore black bands on their left arms, embroidered in gold thread with the words “Rest your oars shipmates” and the names of Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Higgins and Petty Officer Michael Holtz, who died Dec. 29.

Higgins, 45, was from Paducah, Ky., and Holtz, 30, was from Lakewood, Ohio.

The two were among five American sailors swept overboard by surging waves as the submarine left a harbor in rough seas.

An initial review determined the incident was avoidable and caused in part to a poor decision by Cmdr. Edwin Ruff, who was relieved of his command. An investigation is under way.

The deaths underscored “the inherent hazardous environment we work in,” Navy spokesman Phil McGuinn said.

Cmdr. Chris Williams talked about how the crew of about 140 men handled the deployment after the deaths.

“They wanted to honor their shipmates that did not come home. And they wanted to finish the mission they set out to do,” Williams said.

The submarine was involved in training exercises and classified missions.