Editing USS PC-815 (section)

=== Unauthorized shelling of Coronado Islands and failure to follow orders ===
In June 1943, the ''PC-815'' traveled to [[San Diego]], which was to become her home port. She arrived there on 2 June, and at the end of June was ordered to sea to join an anti-submarine training exercise.<ref name="logbook" /> The exercise, held on 28 June, ended early. Hubbard took the opportunity to order an impromptu gunnery exercise while anchored just off the [[Mexico|Mexican]] territory of [[South Coronado Island]], to the south-west of San Diego. The Mexican government sent an official protest to the U.S. Government, as no gunnery operations had been scheduled.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

[[File:Uss pc-815 2.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Another view of {{nowrap|USS ''PC-815''}} on trials]]
On 30 June a Board of Investigation was convened concerning ''PC-815''. It concluded that Hubbard had disregarded orders, both by conducting gunnery practice and by anchoring in Mexican territorial waters without proper authority. His orders stated that the ''PC-815'' was supposed to return after completing that day's training. Hubbard argued that his crew was inexperienced, it was foggy, and he was tired so he did not return to port as ordered. But a month earlier in his after action report concerning the fiasco off Cape Lookout, he had described the same men as "experienced" and "highly skilled".{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Vice Admiral Fletcher, who both chaired the board and read the prior after action report, rated Hubbard "below average" and noted: "Consider this officer lacking in the essential qualities of judgment, leadership and cooperation. He acts without forethought as to probable results. He is believed to have been sincere in his efforts to make his ship efficient and ready. Not considered qualified for command or promotion at this time. Recommend duty on a large vessel where he can be properly supervised". Hubbard was relieved of command effective 7 July 1943.<ref>{{cite book |last=Miller |first=Russell |author-link=Russell Miller |date=1987 |title=Bare-faced Messiah: The true story of L. Ron Hubbard |location=London, UK |publisher=Michael Joseph Ltd. |page=106 |isbn=978-0-7181-2764-0}}</ref>