Naval Academy head ordered to leave early

ANNAPOLIS, Md., July 14 (UPI) -- In an apparent rebuke by his superiors, the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy has been ordered to retire a month early.

Navy officials also took the unusual step of ordering the two midshipmen Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler expelled should be given the chance for reinstatement, The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday. They found "inconsistencies" in Fowler's handling of violations of the academy's honor code.

Fowler had planned to retire in September after three years as superintendent. Adm. Gary Roughead ordered him to leave the first week of August.

Roughead, chief of naval operations, said an early handover "would better position the Naval Academy for success in the coming year," a spokesman said.

Fowler has been under fire for his handling of money from football game sponsors. The funds reportedly were used for cocktail and tailgate parties and presents for coaches, and not for the benefit of students.

The academy, often known as Annapolis from its home city, has 4,400 undergraduates. It is the principal training ground for officers in the Navy and Marines.