Michael Boorda

Jeremy Michael Boorda(November 26, 1939 – May 16, 1996) was aUnited States Navyadmiralwho served as the 25thChief of Naval Operations.Boorda is notable as the first person to have risen from theenlisted ranksto become Chief of Naval Operations, the highest-ranking billet in the United States Navy.

Michael Boorda
Boorda's official Chief of Naval Operations portrait; note the two ribbons with"V" devices
Nickname(s)	Mike
Born	(1939-11-26)November 26, 1939 South Bend, Indiana,United States
Died	May 16, 1996(1996-05-16)(aged 56) Washington, D.C.,United States
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery(Section 64, Lot 7101 Grid MM-17)
Allegiance	United States
Service/ branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1956–1996
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Chief of Naval Operations United States Naval Forces Europe Allied Forces Southern Europe Chief of Naval Personnel Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight Destroyer Squadron 22 USSFarragut USSParrot
Battles / wars	Vietnam War Bosnian War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal(2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal(4) Army Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit(3) Meritorious Service Medal(2) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Boorda died by suicide by shooting himself in the chest after leaving suicide notes reported to contain expressions of concern that he had tarnished the reputation of the Navy, following a media investigation into the legitimacy of his having worn on his uniform twoservice medalswith bronze"V" devices,which indicate the awards were for acts of valor. The "V" devices are by regulation only to be awarded to personnel who performed an act of valor in actual combat, and Boorda had not served in combat. Boorda had removed the two medal devices on his uniform almost a year before he died and was generally perceived as having made a good-faith error in believing he was authorized to wear the devices.

Early life

Boorda was born inSouth Bend, Indiana,toJewishparents, Gertrude (Frank) Wallis and Herman Boorda.His family moved toMomence, Illinois,where his father had a dress shop. His grandparents had immigrated fromUkraine.

When he was 19, Boorda married Bettie Mae Moran. Their first son David was born with severe disabilities. They had two more sons, Edward and Robert, and a daughter named Anna.Boorda and his wife raised their children asProtestants.

Career

Boorda dropped out of high school to enlist in the United States Navy in 1956 at the age of 17; it provided a structure he at first disliked but came to appreciate.He finished high school while in the Navy and attained the rate ofPersonnelmanFirst Class.Boorda served a variety of commands, primarily in aviation. His last two enlisted assignments were inAttack Squadron 144andCarrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 11.

Boorda was selected for potential commissioning under the Integration Program in 1962, by which enlisted sailors were admitted to the Navy'sOfficer Candidate SchoolinNewport, Rhode Island.Boorda was commissioned as anensignupon graduating in August 1962. He first served aboardUSSPorterfieldas combat information center officer at the rank of lieutenant junior grade. In 1964, he attended the Naval Destroyer School in Newport.

In October 1964, Boorda was assigned as weapons officer aboard thedestroyerUSSJohn R. Craig.The destroyer deployed to Vietnam in March 1965 and participated in combat missions and operations off the coast of Vietnam until it departed forSan Diegoon August 11.On August 15, Boorda was recommended for theNavy Commendation Medalby his commanding officer onJohn R. Craig.On August 28, the Commander in Chief, U.S Pacific Fleet, approved a lesser award, theSecretary of the Navy Commendation for Achievement(redesignated the Navy Achievement Medal in July 1967). The citation read: "for meritorious service while serving as Weapons Officer in USS JOHN R. CRAIG (DD 885) while operating in combat missions supporting the Republic of Vietnam from 10 April to 10 August 1965".

After the destroyer arrived in San Diego in September, Boorda served as commander ofUSSParrot.His first shore tour was as a weapons instructor at Naval Destroyer School in Newport. In December 1971, after attending theU.S. Naval War Collegeand also earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from theUniversity of Rhode Island,Boorda assumed duties as Executive Officer,USSBrooke,aguided missile destroyer.In October 1972, theSeventh Fleet,including Boorda's ship departed for Vietnam; his second tour began in November 1972 and ended on February 19, 1973. On April 8, the commanding officer ofBrookerecommended Boorda for the Navy Commendation Medal (without the Combat "V" ). The medal was approved by the Commander, Seventh Fleet, and the citation read: "for meritorious achievement as Executive Officer while attached to and serving in USS BROOKE (DEG 1) from 15 December 1971 to 20 February 1973 including combat operations".

That tour was followed by a short period at theUniversity of Oklahomaas anNROTCspecial instructor and an assignment from June 1973 to May 1975 as head, surface lieutenant commander assignments/assistant for captain detailing in theBureau of Naval Personnel,Washington, D.C.From 1975 to 1977, Boorda commandedUSSFarragut.He was next assigned as executive assistant to theAssistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs),Washington, DC. He relieved the civilian presidential appointee in that position, remaining until 1981, when he took command ofDestroyer Squadron 22.After this, Boorda spent an additional period studying at the Naval War College from September to October 1983.In 1983–84, he served as executive assistant to theChief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel and Training.In December 1984, he assumed his firstflag officerassignment as executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, remaining until July 1986. His next assignment was commander,Cruiser-Destroyer Group EightinNorfolk, Virginia;he served as acarrier battle groupcommander embarked inUSSSaratoga,and also as commander, Battle ForceSixth Fleetin 1987.

In August 1988, Boorda became Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel and Training. In November 1991, he received his fourth star and in December 1991, became Commander in Chief,Allied Forces Southern Europe(CINCSOUTH –Naples,Italy) and Commander in Chief,United States Naval Forces Europe(CINCUSNAVEUR –London). As CINCSOUTH, Boorda was in command of all NATO forces engaged in operations enforcingUnited Nationssanctions during theYugoslav wars.

On February 1, 1993, while serving as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe, Boorda assumed the additional duty as Commander, Joint Task ForceProvide Promise,responsible for the supply of humanitarian relief toBosnia-Herzegovinavia air-land and air-drop missions, and for troops contributing to the UN mission throughout theBalkans.On April 23, 1994, Boorda became the 25thChief of Naval Operations,the first who was not a graduate of theUnited States Naval Academyand the first of Jewish descent.

On February 24, 1996, he attended the christening and launching ofUSSPearl Harborat theAvondale Shipyardlocated on the west bank of theMississippi RivernearNew Orleans,Louisiana. Boorda personally greeted 73 members of thePearl Harbor Survivors Association,and over 600 other military and civilian honorees who also were invited.

Seaman to Admiral

Boorda was a product of an enlisted-to-officer commissioning program in the early 1960s. Known as the Integration Program, this was designed to provide an opportunity for enlisted personnel who possessed outstanding qualifications and motivation for a naval career to obtain a commission. Boorda was the first Chief of Naval Operations to have risen from the enlisted rates, one of only four such modern servicechiefs(the others being Air Force GeneralLarry D. Welch,USMCGeneralAlfred Gray,and Army GeneralJohn Shalikashvili). Upon assuming this position, Boorda immediately re-established the historic program, naming it "Seaman to Admiral", as part of aSTA-21initiative for young sailors to earn their commission and become naval officers. Boorda believed "people should have the opportunity to excel, and be all they can be, even if they don't get a perfect or traditional start."

C4I

Boorda was particularly interested in C4I initiatives to place command and control, communications, computers, and intelligence assets on naval ships. Essentially this manifested itself as more robust combat information systems, with improved satellite and communication links, as well as placing more defensive assets on traditionally non-combatant ships such as support vessels. Boorda initiated efforts during the proposal phase for the futureLPD-17 amphibious classto be fitted with first-class C4I suites, radars, communications, and defense systems-anti-torpedo, anti-missile, and anti-NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical), along with blast-hardened bulkheads that will absorb and dissipate much more punishment than is possible with present designs. This effort was a departure from past efforts, which relied on simply assigning a destroyer or cruiser to provide these functions for amphibious forces.The ship was commissioned January 14, 2006, nine years after Boorda's death.

Enlisted advancement system

Boorda also spearheaded efforts to change the U.S. Navy'sofficer fitness report,enlisted evaluation, and enlisted advancement systems. The new systems were more systematic and consistent. The systems also allowed a more concise rating of an officer's or sailor's advancement potential. This rating allowed a command to mark only 20% of officers or sailors as "early promotes", and set strict grading criteria for each evaluation mark. The new system linked each promotion marking to the advancement system.

Littoral oceanography

Boorda signed a policy for navaloceanography(the first such revision in 10 years), which emphasized, among other things, that, in addition to deep-water missions, naval oceanographers must master the complicated tangle of the oceanographic/geographic subject areas that make up the science of thelittorals,or near-shore areas, as well as the complexweatherpatterns characteristic of any coastal area.

Boorda's vision brought the navy's new focus on littoral operations into alignment with naval projection policies. But this new program also created a large backlog of high priority oceanographic, hydrographic, and geophysical survey requirements. To meet those requirements, the navy expanded its oceanographic efforts from traditional platforms (ships, boats, planes) to new technologies (satellites, remote sensors, etc.), and efforts to work with other national and international agencies.

Stan Arthur incident

In the wake of theTailhook scandal,Boorda faced hostility from a majority of navalflag officerswho reportedly believed he had betrayed the Navy by allying himself withClinton administrationdemands for reform of the Navy's officer corps.Naval aviators,in particular, were incensed by the treatment ofStan Arthur(Vice Chief of Naval Operations and senior Naval aviator), whose nomination for the post of commander,United States Pacific Command,was withdrawn by President Clinton at the behest of U.S. SenatorDavid Durenberger.

Durenberger raised questions over Arthur's possible mishandling of sexual harassment allegations brought by one of the Senator's constituents, Rebecca Hansen, a female student naval aviator who had not successfully completed flight training.

The administration expected protracted hearings to ensue over Arthur's nomination, and the Pacific Command position to remain unfilled during this period. Arthur decided to retire on February 1, 1995. Boorda issued an unusual public defense of Arthur and his decision not to fight for the nomination, saying that "Stan Arthur is an officer of integrity... who chose to take this selfless action... in the interests of more rapidly filling a critical leadership position. Those who postulate other reasons for the withdrawal are simply wrong."

Death

Boorda's headstone atArlington National Cemeterylocated at Section 64, Grave 7101, Grid MM-17

Boorda died on May 16, 1996,in the garden outside his home at theWashington Navy Yard.Boorda reportedly left two typed and unsignedsuicide notesin his home, neither of which was released publicly, but were said to have been addressed to his wife and to his public information officer.

Boorda was reported to have been distraught over a media investigation led by decorated U.S. Army Vietnam War veteranDavid HackworthofNewsweekinto two miniature bronze letter "V" s that Boorda had worn for years on two of his uniform's service ribbons. In the Navy, the Combat Distinguishing Device, or"V" device,is worn on a ribbon to denote a specific decoration was awarded for heroism in or direct exposure to combat.Photographs of Boorda in uniform showed him wearing the "V" devices on hisNavy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalandNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medalribbons in the 1980s.However, Boorda stopped wearing the "V" devices on these service ribbons about a year before the Hackworth investigation, after being informed by the Navy that he was not authorized to wear them.

Reports at the time of Boorda's suicide indicated that his wearing of the two "V" devices on the two service ribbons had not been an intentional deception on his part, but had been an unintentional mistake that resulted from his following verbal instructions delivered to commanders during the Vietnam War by AdmiralElmo Zumwaltwhen he was Chief of Naval Operations, as well as conflicting interpretations and updating of Navy award regulations.Newsweeklater reported that "Hackworth believed that wearing an undeserved combat pin for valor was a grave matter of honor in the military, 'the worst thing you can do.'" Boorda's suicide took place shortly before he was to have met with twoNewsweekreporters that day regarding his wearing of the "V" devices.Boorda was said to have been worried that the issue would cause more trouble for the U.S. Navy's reputation.

Former Chief of Naval Operations Zumwalt, who was Boorda's commander during theVietnam Warand who verbally authorized "V" devices for Boorda and many other sailors, wrote a letter to the effect that Boorda's wearing of the devices was "appropriate, justified and proper." However, wearing the Navy's Combat Distinguishing Device on a specific decoration that may authorize the device requires written authorization for the device on a printed award citation.

External videos
You may watch the memorial service forAdmiral BoordaatWashington National Cathedralon May 21, 1996

Boorda was survived by his wife, Bettie Moran Boorda, four children and eleven grandchildren. Boorda was interred atArlington National Cemeteryon May 19, 1996, with a tombstone marked with theStar of David.On May 21, a public memorial service was held at theWashington National Cathedralthat was broadcast nationally byCNNwith tape delay broadcast on theC-SPANnetwork.

In June 1998, then Navy SecretaryJohn Daltonput into Boorda's file a letter from Admiral Zumwalt stating it was "'appropriate, justified and proper' for Boorda to attach the" V "devices to the ribbons on his uniform." According to the Associated Press, "the Navy also modified Boorda's record to list the V's among his other decorations... recognition that they were earned."However, later that year, one of Boorda's sons requested a formal review of his father's service record. In a decision dated June 24, 1999, the Department of the Navy Board for Correction of Naval Records,the ultimate arbiter of whether or not Boorda was entitled to wear the "V" devices, determined that despite the additions to Boorda's personnel file, he was not.

Awards and decorations

Boorda's military decorations and awards include:

Surface Warfare Officer Insignia
1st row	Defense Distinguished Service Medalwith one bronzeoak leaf cluster			Navy Distinguished Service Medalwith three5⁄16"Gold Stars			Army Distinguished Service Medal
2nd row	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal			Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal			Legion of Meritwith two5⁄16"Gold Stars
3rd row	Meritorious Service Medalwith one5⁄16"Gold Star			Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal			Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
4th row	Joint Meritorious Unit Award			Navy "E" Ribbon			Navy Good Conduct Medalwith one3⁄16"Bronze Star
5th row	Navy Expeditionary Medal			National Defense Service Medalwith one3⁄16"Bronze Star			Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
6th row	Vietnam Service Medalwith two3⁄16"Bronze Stars			Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbonwith three3⁄16"Bronze Stars			Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbonwith3⁄16"Bronze Star
7th row	Unidentified foreign decoration			Legion of Honour,Officer (France)			Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medalwith 1960– Device
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Legacy

Boorda has two sons and one daughter-in-law who are naval officers. He has four grandsons who served in theU.S. military:Peter Boorda was apetty officerin theUnited States Coast Guard,Andrew Boorda is an armor officer in the U.S. Army, Phillip Boorda is an amphibious assault vehicle officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, and Robert Dowling is an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. Andrew and Phillip are twins, and like their grandfather, both graduated from theUniversity of Rhode Island.In addition, Boorda has a step-grandson who also graduated from theUniversity of Rhode Islandand is a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army.

InJoe Biden's 2007 bookPromises to Keep,Biden recounts his experience of interacting with Admiral Boorda. Boorda met with Joe Biden in 1993, while serving as commander-in-chief of Allied Forces Southern Command, to advise the then-Senator on the military situation in the Balkans. Biden had been attempting to persuade the Clinton administration to intervene militarily to stop thegenocide in Bosnia,but had been met with resistance, due to the widespread perception in Washington that any U.S. military intervention in the Balkans would have to involve significant numbers of ground troops. Boorda, however, argued that U.S. air power 'could shut down the Serb aggression and could end the sieges in Sarajevo and Srebrenica' without the need for a costly and unpopular commitment of ground forces. Biden credits this conversation with Boorda as being 'the last piece of the puzzle', enabling him to successfully make the case for intervention in Bosnia to Clinton. In his book, Biden is effusive in his praise of Boorda, calling him 'truly heroic', including him in a partial list of 'the twenty brightest, most informed individuals I've worked with in government', and referring to his suicide as 'a blow to the country'.

Admiral Jeremy M. Boorda Award

The Navy's annual Admiral Boorda award was established and first awarded in 2003.The award recognizes a Navy military and civilian individual. The call for nominations for the 2015 award indicated that the award was intended for those who have made significant contributions towards Navy personnel readiness either through research or analysis or the direct application of analytical results to policies and laws.

Further reading

• Kotz, Nick (December 1996). "Breaking Point".Washingtonian.Washington Magazine, Inc. p. 94.