WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 4, 2025 - Walter Francis Fitzpatrick III, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and Distinguished Military Graduate of the United States Naval Academy’s Class of 1975, has published a new book, Acts of Supremacy: A Cautionary Indictment of America’s Military Justice System. The work examines the structure of military courts and questions how well they align with constitutional principles.
Fitzpatrick began writing after his own court-martial heard in 1990, overseen by Rear Admiral John Bitoff. He maintains the process was flawed and politically charged, and the experience set him on a decades-long effort to research military law, tracing its roots back to Roman and British systems.
“The system doesn’t just bend the rules,” Fitzpatrick writes. “It operates outside them entirely.” The book compares his case to earlier examples, including the 1945 court-martial of USS Indianapolis Captain Charles McVay III, an episode still debated by historians.
Fitzpatrick also references legal precedents such as Dynes v. Hoover (1857), a Supreme Court ruling that confirmed civilian oversight of courts-martial. He argues that a stronger check on military authority is needed to ensure fairness.
“This isn’t about one officer or one isolated decision,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s about a structure that shields itself from accountability.”
Although the book is part memoir, it also attempts a broader critique, raising questions about how discipline is enforced in the armed forces and what role civilian courts should play in this process. Readers will find both personal testimony and historical analysis, but Fitzpatrick leaves the conclusions to them.
About the Author
Walter Francis Fitzpatrick III served in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. A former Eagle Scout and Distinguished Military Graduate, he now lives in Athens, Tennessee, and focuses on writing and speaking about military law and government transparency.
Disclaimer: The views and experiences expressed in Acts of Supremacy are those of the author, Walter Francis Fitzpatrick III, and reflect his account and interpretation of events. This publication aims to foster dialogue and examination of military justice policies. It does not represent the official position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy, or any other government agency.
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