News of Admiral Boorda's suicide

President receives news of US Navy CNO Admiral Jeremy Boorda's suicide following reports that he wore 'V' devices on two of his medals without authorization. It was later determined that former CNO Admiral Zumwalt had personally authorized it.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• admiral
• boorda
• clinton
• suicide
• navy
• death
• president
• medals
• war
• combat
• officer

[catherinetodd]

"President receives news of US Navy CNO Admiral Jeremy Boorda's suicide following reports that he wore 'V' devices on two of his medals w/out authorization.... later determined Admiral Zumwalt had personally authorized it."

What was the "scandal" about, wtih "V" devices on his medals? Why was a court-martial to follow?

I find it hard to believe that someone would commit suicide when they had been authorized to do this... having grown up in the military myself, authorization is everything.

[satxboi30]

I t was about perception. He did not want to disgrace the navy in any way.

[satxboi30]

It's hard to explain. It is clear to me that Boorda had an extreme sense of duty. He was the first (and only) person to rise from a lowly seaman to Chief of Naval Operations (4-star). He may have felt an extreme guilt about the scandal. He was an amazing man, regardless.

[satxboi30]

Bush did one better....he did his famous "Oh, we are so fucked" and then pinched a small one in the classroom while we were being attacked.

[satxboi30]

I couldn't agree more.

[satxboi30]

I agree.

[wordsnmusic]

Adm. Boorda was a sailor's sailor. I worked indirectly for him many years ago when I was a career counselor in the Navy. I can't think of one person who gave a damn about what he was wearing on his chest. They respected him as a fellow sailor who had also worked on the deckplate level. Someone who cared about "me" and how "I" was doing in the Navy. His death was tragic and felt deeply by every enlisted sailor who was lucky enough to work with or even know him.

[TrueCourse]

You took the words out of my mouth, Wordsnmusic. When I heard the news of his death I thought why would someone like Admiral Boorda after all that he had achieved and someone well-admired, especially by enlisteds, would kill himself for a device on a ribbon? THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE! There's more to it than we know and that information will never (well... maybe until years later after we're gone) be revealed. He truly was a Sailor's Sailor. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Admiral...

[devildoc225]

@TrueCourse He was dogged by the pinky in the air Admirals who were Academy pukes. They detested him. Depending on where you are reading, this was a major problem for him. He was not part of the ring knocker club, and they let him know it. He had to unscrew everything "Tailhook" screwed up, and they didn't like it.

[GohModley]

@satxboi30 LOL!

[SacredSocietyAP]

@Kitchell2112 Me too...Kennedy Killed..Johnson takes over...Boorda Killed...Some guy named Johnson takes over..unrelated..by still kinda weird.

[IRememberTheOldDays]

@TheShel10 yes but thats entirely different to getting a medal.

[TheShel10]

@IRememberTheOldDays Yes I think you could say that's what he did."No matter how splendid a thing may be,no matter how certain its acquisition,I will not purchase it if it means I must forfeit my own character.Should my motto be fate is all powerful over the living when it can be fate is powerless over those not afraid to die." - Seneca the Younger.

[IRememberTheOldDays]

it was found after a court hearing a few years later that under navy regs he was not authorised to wear it as Zumwalt didnt have that authority.

[IRememberTheOldDays]

@TheShel10 what is this fucking Bushido!?

[cheekizms]

@catherinetodd cuz he authorized it himself and thats a nono

[TheShel10]

Sometimes suicide is the best way out.Death before dishonor.

[MessiahComing]

@satxboi30 Acctually, I think he handled it quite well. He remained calm, quickly finished the book he was reading the children, and then left. What was he supposed to do? Jump up and yell "We're being attacked! Everyone panic!"?