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| Retired USAF General Schwalier regains 2nd Star |
| 2008-01-17 |
| AFA is pleased to learn that the United States Air Force has rectified a decade-long injustice against an outstanding former general officer—Terryl J. Schwalier. The Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, having conducted a voluminous and confidential review of his case, recently concluded that he was the victim of "an injustice" and never should have been denied his second star. The board ruled he should regain that star, retroactive to January 1, 1997, and that he be placed on the retired list at the grade of major general. The Air Force affirmed the board's decision with an official order dated Dec. 21, 2007. Schwalier, as many recall, was a brigadier general who was unfairly blamed by the Clinton Administration in the 1996 terrorist bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, in which 19 airmen died. Though the Senate had confirmed his promotion to major general before the Khobar Towers attack, and though no evidence of wrongdoing ever was produced, Defense Secretary William Cohen on July 31, 1997 cancelled this second star and effectively ended his career. Cohen alleged that Schwalier "could have and should have done more" to defend Khobar Towers. For more than 10 years, Schwalier persevered in seeking redress. He has finally succeeded. The Air Force's action was entirely logical and proper. We applaud it, as will any fair-minded person. |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #11 you don't strip someone of a star just because they are present when a disaster strikes. It might kill your career, but unless an investiagtion held you responsible, they would not drop you in rank. Only the Clintons, seeking to deflect blame, would do something like that. Oh, oh please .... make them go away. |
| Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 2008-01-17 21:35 |
| #10 Actually there were lots of measure that should have been in place but we didn't understand the nature of the beast. Misunderstanding evidenced by Ollie North getting lambasted by Congress. There's always 'ultimate responsibility' that comes with command. In my opinion the "command" in this case was Congress and the civilian administration since they drive overall policy. Ollie warned them. Command flew in the face of reason and ultimately lost. Americans and the rest of the world have been paying for that loss with their lives and lifestyles ever since. |
| Posted by: gorb 2008-01-17 16:59 |
| #9 Schwalier, as many recall, was a brigadier general who was unfairly blamed by the Is this the sort of experience that ex co-president Hillary has been boasting that she can bring back to the White House? No thanks. I can do without their anti-miltary bias. |
| Posted by: GK 2008-01-17 14:20 |
| #8 Yeah, because when disasters happen, it's never the commander's fault. There's always 'ultimate responsibility' that comes with command. However, The decision is usually made after determining by investigation of the conditions and what restrictions were placed on the commanding officer. That's why I added the background-info link, so that people can read it and make their own decision whether Secretary Cohen's judgement was appropriate. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-01-17 13:05 |
| #7 I am confused. I have always thought that there were not any terrorists until Bush and his cabal stole the election in 2000. /sarcasm Actually there were lots of measure that should have been in place but we didn't understand the nature of the beast. It's sad that some people died but this would be like blaming the first guy shot down by an SAM. He didn't know the weapon would/could do what it did until it did. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2008-01-17 09:01 |
| #6 And may I point out that we stood down our forces in Europe just after the surrender of the standing German forces, only years later to have to do our own 'surge' that included the introduction of a 'peacetime' draft to bring the occupation forces of just the Army to nearly a half million men. That wasn't in the plan either. Circumstances and situations change. During that deployment, which still continues today, we've suffered more total casualties in theater than we have in Iraq. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-01-17 07:19 |
| #5 Heck, nobody lost their jobs over 9/11 or the total failure to plan anything past invading Iraq. gromky, direct me to the 'plan' the allies had after they secure the beach in Normandy cause they certainly didn't meet any of their timelines by weeks even short distances beyond that location. Direct me to the post-war occupation plans they had in place and ready to employ when they crossed the German border. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-01-17 06:47 |
| #4 After an AFBCMR, my bet would be he'll be collecting a nice sum in well deserved backpay. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-01-17 05:58 |
| #3 Schwalier, as many recall, was a brigadier general who was unfairly blamed by the Clinton Administration in the 1996 terrorist bombing...and though no evidence of wrongdoing ever was produced, Defense Secretary William Cohen on July 31, 1997 cancelled this second star and effectively ended his career. Cohen alleged that Schwalier "could have and should have done more" to defend Khobar Towers. Cohen, good for nothing! |
| Posted by: Harcourt Omeager9307 2008-01-17 04:01 |
| #2 Yeah, because when disasters happen, it's never the commander's fault. Heck, nobody lost their jobs over 9/11 or the total failure to plan anything past invading Iraq. |
| Posted by: gromky 2008-01-17 03:48 |
| #1 Is his pay increase retroactive, too? |
| Posted by: gorb 2008-01-17 03:03 |