Posted on 12/15/2007 1:34:39 PM PST by Norman Bates
ARLINGTON, VA -- Today over 100 retired admirals and generals endorsed John McCain for President of the United States at a press conference in Columbia, South Carolina. These distinguished leaders supporting John McCain come from all branches of the armed services and include former POWs, Medal of Honor recipients and former members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
John McCain was joined today in Columbia by five distinguished military veterans: Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, USN (Ret.); Vice Admiral Mike Bowman, USN (Ret.); Rear Admiral Tom Lynch, USN (Ret.); Rear Admiral Bob Shumaker, USN (Ret.); and Major General Stan Spears, USA, Adjutant General of South Carolina.
"This nation is at war and we'd better damn well understand that fact," said Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, USN (Ret.). "John McCain understands it, and he is the only candidate that has not wavered one bit in his position regarding the importance of victory in the war against Islamic extremism or in his commitment to the troops who are doing the fighting. He has consistently demonstrated the kind and style of leadership that we believe is essential in our next Commander in Chief. Our nation faces a growing array of serious foreign policy challenges. John McCain is the ONE candidate who, in our view, truly understands the strategic landscape and is fully prepared to deal decisively and effectively with those who wish to be our friends and, importantly, those who wish us harm."
John McCain thanked the admirals and generals, stating, "I am deeply honored to have the support of so many distinguished military leaders. I thank them for the trust they have in me, but more importantly, our nation is indebted to their service in defense of our freedom. Our next president will face two wars and an array of national security challenges around the world. My experience, knowledge and background have prepared me to confront these great challenges and lead as commander in chief from day one."
Retired Admirals And Generals Joining John McCain In South Carolina Today:
Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.): Admiral Smith retired from the Navy after over 34 years of service in positions that took him, literally, around the world. His last active duty assignment was Commander, U.S. Naval Force, Europe, Commander in Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO) and, concurrently, Commander of NATO's first ever out of area land operation, the Implementation Forces (IFOR) in Bosnia charged with implementing the Dayton Peace Accords. As a naval aviator Admiral Smith flew carrier-based light attack jet aircraft during multiple deployments to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Western Pacific and Indian oceans. These included three cruises in waters off North Vietnam where he flew over 280 combat missions.
Vice Admiral Mike Bowman, USN (Ret.): Bowman spent 36 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of Vice Admiral. Highlights of his Navy career include: Naval aviator with tour tours in Vietnam and Wing Commander during Desert Storm and notable assignments including Squadron command, three Air Wing commands, Senate Liaison for the Secretary of the Navy and later Chief of Legislative Affairs, Carrier Group command, Chief of Naval Air Training and Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Rear Admiral Tom Lynch, USN (Ret.): After a 31-year career of naval service, Lynch retired in the rank of Rear Admiral. His naval service included Chief, Navy Legislative Affairs, command of the Eisenhower Battle Group during Operation Desert Shield, Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from 1991 to 1994 and Director of the Navy Staff in the Pentagon from 1994 to 1995. Admiral Lynch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with his Bachelor of Science degree in 1964 and received his M.S. from George Washington University.
Rear Admiral Bob Shumaker, USN (Ret.): After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, Admiral Shumaker attended flight training and eventually joined VF-32, a fighter squadron in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a finalist in the Apollo astronaut selection, but a temporary physical ailment prevented his selection. In 1964 he graduated with a masters degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and then joined VF-154 in San Diego, California. In February 1965, he was shot down on a mission over North Vietnam, was captured, and spent the next eight years as a POW. In 1973 he was repatriated and resumed studies, which eventually led to a doctorate degree in electrical engineering. As a Captain he was a government project manager for smart missiles at the Naval Air Systems Command. In 1983 he was promoted to the rank of Commodore and became the Superintendent of the Nav al Postgraduate School. At the Pentagon in 1986, as a Rear Admiral, he was responsible for coordinating the research efforts of the Navy's air, surface, electronics and space activities. He retired from the Navy in 1989 and became an assistant dean at The George Washington University and later became the associate dean of the Center for Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota, from which he retired in 1991. Admiral Shumaker's military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
Major General Stan Spears, USA: General Spears is Adjutant General of South Carolina. He leads and directs the 10,500-member South Carolina Army and Air National Guard. He serves on the Board of Visitors for the Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. General Spears is the senior Adjutant General in the United States and the several territories. Born and raised in York County, South Carolina, General Spears is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he played on the football team. In 1962, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. He served as a traditional Guard member for the next 32 years, achieving the rank of Brigadier General and assignment as Assistant Adjutant General.
RETIRED ADMIRALS AND GENERALS SUPPORTING JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT
Rear Admiral John W. Adams, USN (Ret.)
Major General Albert B. Akers, USA (Ret.)
Major General John Blatsos, USA (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Harry Blot, USMC (Ret.)
Major General John L. Borling, USAF (Ret.), POW
Vice Admiral Mike Bowman, III, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Roger Box, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Bruce Bremner, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Thomas Brown, III, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Tom Bruner, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Lyle Bull, USN (Ret.)
Major General George Cates, USMC (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Jack Christiansen, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Edward Clexton, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Lieutenant General John B. Conaway, USAF (Ret.), Former Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Lieutenant General Matthew T. "Terry" Cooper, USMC (Ret.)
Brigadier General Robert Dastin, USAF (Ret.)
General James B. Davis, USAF (Ret.), Classmate of Senator McCain's at the U.S. Naval Academy, Former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe (NATO)
Vice Admiral Walter J. Davis, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Major General Hollis Davison, USMC (Ret.)
Colonel George "Bud" Day, USAF (Ret.), POW, Medal of Honor
Rear Admiral Jerry Denton, USN (Ret.), POW, Former U.S. Senator
Vice Admiral Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Russ Eggers, USAF (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Paul Engel, USN (Ret.)
Major General Bill Eshelman, USMC (Ret.)
Major General Merrill Evans, USA (Ret.)
Admiral S. Robert Foley, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT
Rear Admiral Skip Furlong, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Barton Gilbert, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Andrew Giordano, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Russell W. Gorman, USN (Ret.)
Admiral Ronald J. Hays, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPAC and CINCUSNAVEUR
Rear Admiral Robert P. Hickey, USN (Ret.)
Major General Don Hilbert, USA (Ret.)
Major General Kent Hillhouse, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral A. Byron Holderby, USN (Ret.)
Admiral James L. Holloway, USN (Ret.), Former Chief of Naval Operations
Lieutenant General Jefferson D. Howell, USMC (Ret.)
Major General Evan Hultman, USA (Ret.)
Major General Charles Ingram, USA (Ret.)
Admiral Bobby Inman, USN (Ret.), Former Director, NSA
Major General Harry Jenkins, USMC (Ret.)
Admiral Jerome Johnson, USN (Ret.), Former Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Rear Admiral J. Michael "Carlos" Johnson, USN (Ret.)
General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.), Former Commandant, USMC
Admiral Robert J. "Barney" Kelly, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT
Admiral Frank Kelso, USN (Ret.), Former Chief of Naval Operations
Major General Phillip G. Killey, USAF (Ret.)
Admiral George "Gus" Kinnear, USN (Ret.), Former COMAIRLANT
Admiral Charles R. "Chuck" Larson, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPAC
Vice Admiral Tony Less, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Frederick L. Lewis, USN (Ret.)
Admiral Joseph Lopez, USN (Ret.), Former CINCUSNAVEUR
Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch, USN (Ret.)
Admiral James "Ace" Lyons, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT
Vice Admiral Michael D. Malone, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Daniel P. March, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Edward H. Martin, USN (Ret.), POW
Vice Admiral John J. Mazach, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral William "Scot" McCauley, USN (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Fred McCorkle, USMC (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Denny McGinn, USN (Ret.)
Major General Ed Mechanbier, USAFR (Ret.), POW
Rear Admiral George Meinig, USN (Ret.)
Major General Robert L. Menist, USA (Ret.)
Admiral Paul David Miller, USN (Ret.), Former CINCLANT
Vice Admiral Joseph Mobley, USN (Ret.), POW
Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Benjamin Montoya, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Douglas Moore, Jr., USN (Ret.)
General Carl E. Mundy, Jr., USMC (Ret.), Former Commandant, USMC
Rear Admiral Jack Natter, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Warren "Bud" Nelson, USAF (Ret.)
Brigadier General Eddie Newman, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Robert S. "Rupe" Owens, USN (Ret.)
Major General Earl G. Peck, USAF (Ret.)
Major General John Peppers, USA (Ret.)
Brigadier General Maurice Phillips, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral David Polatty, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral William E. Ramsey, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Jon A. Reynolds, USAF (Ret.), POW
Vice Admiral David B. Robinson, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Wayne Rosenthal, USAF (Ret.)
Vice Admiral John R. Ryan, USN (Ret.)
Major General Michael D. Ryan, USMC (Ret.)
Brigadier General Dennis Schulstad, USAF (Ret.)
Vice Admiral James E. Service, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Edward D. "Ted" Sheafer, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Robert F. "Dutch" Shultz, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Robert H. Shumaker, USN (Ret.), POW
Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.), Former CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCSOUTH, Commander IFOR
Lieutenant General Norman Smith, USMC (Ret.)
Major General Stanhope S. Spears, USA, Adjutant General of South Carolina
Lieutenant General Hank Stackpole, USMC (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Howie Thorsen, USN (Ret.)
Colonel Leo Thorsness, USAF (Ret.), POW, Medal of Honor
Rear Admiral Ernest E. Tissot, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral John B. Totushek, USN (Ret.)
Major General Alfred A. Valenzuela, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Lloyd "Joe" Vasey, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General W.L. "Bill" Wallace, USA (Ret.)
Major General Gary Wattnern, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Donald Weatherson, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Hugh Webster, USN (Ret.)
Lieutenant General James A. Williams, USA (Ret.), Former Director, DIA
Brigadier General Mitchell M. Willoughby, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Dennis Wisely, USN (Ret.)
Admiral Ronald J. Zlatoper, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT
gotta admit, that is hugh
So he’s got 100 votes.
Thanx for the article.Pretty impressive list.I don’t question for one minute McCains commitment to a strong military and the threat we face in the ME.Problem is domestic policy.I’m a moderate and imo he’s wayyy too liberal.Of course that’s just my opinion,and you know what they say about opinions.......:)
Whoopee.
100 people who successfully played politics endorsed America’s reverse ace.
Whoopee.
Yes, it certainly is. This is a resounding endorsement of John McCain’s credentials to lead America in the Global War on Terrorism. What’s the point if we get fair tax and flounder in the GWOT? We need a Commander in Chief, first and foremost.
I always expect the bitter pills to gawk at this though. But they would be the first jumping for joy though if their candidate received an endorsement of this scope.
But if its gonna be Huckabee then at least Mcain should be on the ticket....I think Mcain makes a perfect VP.
I served with several of these fine officers and respect their opinion. Having said that, Fred Thompson is the man we need in the White House for the next eight years. He is strong on the War on Terror, immigration enforcement, national security, 2nd Amendment and etc.. He is pro-life, a Federalist, has bold plans on almost every issue and will not back down from the media or our enemies!
This thread is not about Fred Thompson.
Hmmm.
Many are just Canoe U grads supporting one of their own.
So a hundred retired flags support him. Ther are a thousabd who don’t.
Call me cynical but how many are execs for defense conractors hoping to cash in if he were to be elected/became VP or trying to remain influntial with him if the GOP becomes the majority.
From an enlisted man's viewpoint they were all head and shoulders above the usual ,run of the mill Flag officers. Many of them I knew long before they were Admirals and some I knew later.
I would take their recommendations very seriously. If these guys say McCain,then I'll have to look at him again,as I haven't been for him up to now.
Oh, you’ll have to show me where it says “private thread, members only” cuz I must’ve missed it....
Yes, that is cynical. See post 14.
I would recommend you examine his record. While not bad, it certainly shows a certain lack of respect for the US Constitution.
It doesn’t.
If you want to discuss Fred Thompson, we can. He did not wear the uniform. And he has no such backing that I am aware of. And he does not have the national security credentials McCain has. You say Fred Thompson is tough on terror, and fine, he very well may be. But these guys have made a career of serving their country in national defense at the highest levels and they say McCain is tough on terror. Should I take their word or your’s?
“While not bad, it certainly shows a certain lack of respect for the US Constitution.”
That’s right, it’s not bad.
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