A Hero Disgraced

[Deuce130]

Maybe Duke can learn from ADM Boorda

Prison time, yes. Suicide, no. Boorda's story is sad and regrettable. He was about to be the victim of a media assassination over what, in the big scheme of things, is not that big of a deal. Shameful and embarrasing to him and the Navy, certainly, but not criminal to the extent of taking your own life. Neither is accepting bribes. I hope your post is meant to be funny.

 

[KC-10 Driver]

Maybe Duke can learn from ADM Boorda

Completely tasteless.

Admiral Boorda's case was tragic, of epic proportions. Please don't imply that it is better to take one's own life rather than face the consequences of legal transgressions -- nor for any other reason.

Duke may be guilty of crimes, but he is still a human being with a family.

 

[usmc33]

Deuce130, no, not meant to be funny, just fueling some thought. ADM Boorda shouldn't have done what he did with his life. My intent in writing is to induce input about honor from warriors.

 

[scarface]

I'm still coming to grips with the Cunningham debacle. At least he had the decency, if that's the proper word, to plead guilty but he dishonored himself and it appears it wasn't a one time only but a way of life. I think the Boorda comparison isn't in the same frame of reference. I believe Boorda could've argued the V device away and not been weasel wording.
I don't go with the Boyington quote, I've known quite a few people whom I regard as heroes and they're anything but a bum. I believe Cunningham's USAF contemporary, Gen. Ritchie, leads a quite honorable life.

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

more disgrace for Duke

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=1667009&page=1

-LA

 

[414Flyer]

Prison time, yes. Suicide, no. Boorda's story is sad and regrettable. He was about to be the victim of a media assassination over what, in the big scheme of things, is not that big of a deal. Shameful and embarrasing to him and the Navy, certainly, but not criminal to the extent of taking your own life. Neither is accepting bribes. I hope your post is meant to be funny.

I recall this stemmed from Hackworth going after Boorda for an award that Hackworth said Boorda was not justified in having, while Boorda most likely was.

All the while, Hackworth had issues over some of his own awards.

 

[AD SUPT Hopeful]

I recall this stemmed from Hackworth going after Boorda for an award that Hackworth said Boorda was not justified in having, while it Boorda most likely was.

All the while, Hackworth had issues over some of his own awards.

Boorda's awards were legit; very tragic that he ended up committing suicide.

 

[FL420]

I knew Cunningham casually and flew as his wingman once on an adversary mission. He had a reputation for being an okay guy who was slightly full of himself and certainly not the "sharpest knife in the drawer."

Whenever he would start getting to be too much to take guys would remind him that most of us shot down every MiG we ever saw while he let a whole bunch of them get away. A lot of guys wouldn't call him "Duke" on the ground since he gave himself that callsign and tried to assume the persona of the one and only.

He was a protégé of Rep. Duncan Hunter who helped him get the job at National University and later beat Rep. Jim Bates, a quite unlikeable guy. I wonder what role Hunter has had, if any, in all this.

Regardless, a sad day for Cunningham and his family, NavAir, the citizens of California and the nation.

 

[Occam's Razor]

A lot of guys wouldn't call him "Duke" on the ground since he gave himself that callsign and tried to assume the persona of the one and only.

We used to call him "Duke"...but our C.O. (who knew him from flight school) called him "Yank"...his original callsign. Cunningham used to get pissed at that, but they were both O-5's...so too bad!

Regardless, a sad day for Cunningham and his family, NavAir, the citizens of California and the nation.

I'm stunned that Wade, the scumbag contractor, could get 20-years...while Cunningham, the crook, can only get 10.

Ain't right.

 

[XShipRider]

He's kind of in that nowhere place that Pete Rose lives. He may have been a great pilot, but he is now an ordinary criminal. Not much to be proud of there.

... ditto OJ.