Given the profile of his assignments, I think the fur would have flown long ago if he'd have tried. Admiral Boorda killed himself over just such a thing in the early 90's; death before dishonor I guess.
You are talking out of your ass. Gen. Schwartzkopf has/had no reason to wear unearned medals. As was already stated, many non-pilot Army officer were awarded DFC and Air Medals during the Viet Nam War. They use command and control helos as company. battalion and brigade commanders. Many ordered their helos into hot LZs to pick up wounded, join their troops, get in more ammo, etc. Further, they accumulated points for Strike/Flight Air Medals the same as anyone else in an aircraft on a combat mission. My Dad has an Air Medal from his tour as a non-pilot Army officer in Viet Nam.
Adm. Boorda did not wear a medal he was not entitled too. He worn a "V" on a medal he was given (either a NAM or NCM) during the Viet Nam war. His was an honest mistake resulting from a legitimate confusion over what was or was not authorized. Unfortunately, he thought he had dishonored himself and the Navy and felt he had no other way out. While I do not agree with everything he did as CNO, he was an honorable man who truly cared about his Sailors.
Hey easy please. I wasn't accusing him of wearing anything he didn't earn. I was just stating that for the grain of salt for stuff published in Wiki, which is where I snagged the picture from. I think the General is a great warrior and wouldn't dishonor the uniform. I didn’t mean to accuse him of such actions.
I looked up to ADM Boorda, and was troubled by the fact that his main accuser was subsequently found to have worn/claimed two awards that he was not entitled to. ADM Zumwalt himself stated that Boorda's V devices were "appropriate, justified and proper", but it was too little too late. A tragedy all around IMO.
OK, I'll buy that. No harm/no foul.
Easy there Killer. We understand you're Air Force and usually use the word "given"......
