[Zimphire]

In 1996, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jeremy Boorda committed suicide when he learned that a reporter was about to disclose he had wrongly worn two Combat V pins on a Bronze Star, a medal that does not denote valor under fire.

At the time, Kerry told the Boston Herald that wrongly wearing the medals is a severe error in judgment.

"Is it wrong? Yes, it is very wrong. Sufficient to question his leadership position? The answer is yes," he is quoted as saying.

Kerry also spoke to the Boston Globe about the matter.

"If you wind up being less than what you're pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value, self-esteem and your sense of how others view you."


WOW I agree with Kerry.

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
In 1996, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jeremy Boorda committed suicide when he learned that a reporter was about to disclose he had wrongly worn two Combat V pins on a Bronze Star, a medal that does not denote valor under fire.

A slight correction. The Bronze Star does denote valor, but only if accompanied by the V device. The V stands for Valor, which is why it was such a big deal that Boorda wore an award he didn't earn.

And it is still a story that fills me with sadness. I was in the Army but we in the enlisted ranks of all the services looked up to Boorda because he was one of us. He rose up from the enlisted ranks to the highest office in a branch that is still noted for a high degree of bias in favor of Academy grads. As CNO, he made opening up opportunities for enlisted ranks to be commissioned a high priority in the Navy, much more than in the other branches. It was a huge letdown when this scandal and the news of his suicide broke.

[Zimphire]

Yeah, sad he ended his life. I hope Kerry doesn't decide to take that route when his history truly comes out.