Hubbard’s Naval Follies: A Tale of Misguided Command
L. Ron Hubbard, the controversial founder of Scientology, has a lesser-known history marked by naval blunders during World War II. Commanding a naval vessel, Hubbard once engaged in a multi-day battle with what he believed to be a Japanese submarine, which later turned out to be nothing more than a submerged log. This embarrassing incident wasted valuable resources and cast serious doubts on his command abilities.
Hubbard’s naval career was further marred by another notorious mistake. He unwittingly ordered his crew to fire upon Mexican territory, mistakenly thinking it was an enemy target. This misstep caused a diplomatic incident and led to his immediate relief from command. These naval follies highlight a pattern of poor judgment and grandiose mistakes, foreshadowing the controversial and scrutinized path he would later follow in founding Scientology.
