Commander David Lee Carlson authored an article in the current edition of the United States Naval Institute , in which he was harshly critical of the aggressive behavior of the USS Vincennes in the Persian Gulf , and especially for the unwarranted shooting down of an Iranian airliner . Carlson was the skipper of the USS Sides , a frigate that was present in area when the shootdown occurred . ``I did not push for a reevaluation. A Navy spokesperson said that the Naval Institute is not a part of the Navy . Captain Rogers , who commanded the Vincennes at the time , said Carlson 's views were his own and not the Navy 's .
Commander David Lee Carlson authored an article in the current edition of the United States Naval Institute , in which he was harshly critical of the aggressive behavior of the USS Vincennes in the Persian Gulf , and especially for the unwarranted shooting down of an Iranian airliner . Carlson was the skipper of the USS Sides , a frigate that was present in area when the shootdown occurred . A Navy spokesperson said that the Naval Institute is not a part of the Navy . Captain Rogers , who commanded the Vincennes at the time , said Carlson 's views were his own and not the Navy 's .