Posted on 02/13/2006 11:03:15 PM PST by Exton1
Students reject honor to WWII hero Member of Marines not 'sort of person UW wanted to produce' Posted: February 14, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Lt. Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington during World War II (Photo: National Archives) The University of Washington's student senate rejected a memorial for alumnus Gregory "Pappy" Boyington of "Black Sheep Squadron" fame amid concerns a military hero who shot down enemy planes was not the right kind of person to represent the school.
Student senator Jill Edwards, according to minutes of the student government's meeting last week, said she "didn't believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person UW wanted to produce."
Ashley Miller, another senator, argued "many monuments at UW already commemorate rich white men."
Senate member Karl Smith amended the resolution to eliminate a clause that said Boyington "was credited with destroying 26 enemy aircraft, tying the record for most aircraft destroyed by a pilot in American Uniform," for which he was awarded the Navy Cross.
Smith, according to the minutes, said "the resolution should commend Colonel Boyington's service, not his killing of others."
The senate's decision was reported first by Seattle radio talk-host Kirby Wilbur of KVI, whose listeners were "absolutely incensed," according to producer Matt Haver.
Brent Ludeman, president of the university's College Republicans, told WND in an e-mail the decision "reflects poorly on the university."
"Pappy Boyington went beyond the call of duty to serve and protect this country – he simply deserves better," Ludeman said. "Just last year, the university erected a memorial to diversity. Why can't we do the same for Pappy Boyington and others who have defended our country?"
The resolution points out Boyington, a student at the UW from 1930-34, served as a combat pilot in the 1st Squadron, American Volunteer Group – the "Flying Tigers of China" – and later as a Marine Corps combat pilot in charge of Marine Fighting Squadron 214, "The Black Sheep Squadron."
Along with the Navy Cross, Boyington was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his heroism. He was shot down and spent 20 months in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp.
The resolution says, "Be it resolved … [t]hat we consider Col. Gregory Boyington, United States Marine Corps, to be a prime example of the excellence that this university represents and strives to impart upon its students, and, That we desire for a memorial for Col. Boyington be commenced by the University of Washington by 11 January 2008, the twentieth anniversary of his death, which will be publicly displayed, so that all who come here in future years will know that the University of Washington produced one of this country's bravest men, and that we as a community hold this fact in the highest esteem."
Commenting on the decision, a blogger who says he met Boyington on numerous occasions at a museum and air show over the years noted the famous flyer "was no rich boy," having grown up in a struggling family in which he was forced to work hard to make it through school. The blogger, who hosts the website Paradosis, also pointed out Boyington was part Sioux.
Boyington was open about his marital problems and alcohol abuse, saying notably, "Just name a hero and I'll prove he's a bum."
The blogger wondered, "have our Washington youth revised history so much as this? To compare Boyington – or for that matter any of our WW2 vets – to murderers? What are these kids being taught today? They don't deserve those 20 months Pappy spent being tortured and beaten in a Japanese prison camp ... they don't deserve any of what our grandfathers and grandmothers sacrificed to free Europe and the Pacific."
Boyington wrote a book in 1958 that reached the best-seller list, "Baa Baa, Black Sheep." In 1976, he sold rights to Universal, which aired a TV series for two seasons of the same name.
Boyington, who died Jan. 11, 1988, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
A tour of Afghanistan will help Ms. Miller understand a few truths about patriotism and service. Absolutely disgraceful conduct by these Marxist "peaceniks" at UW.
OMG, this is OUTRAGEOUS. I read his book. These geniuses should do the same and they'd see how idiotic they sound, calling him a "rich white guy"....
My daughter plans to go to graduate school there next fall. Wonder what other choices she has?
This is from The Onion, right?
Greg Boyington tied Joe Foss I believe as the top scoring Marine Corps pilots. The record for the most kills by an American is held by Army Air Force Major Richard Bong who flew a P-38 Lightning and shot down 40 enemy aircraft.
You know, perhaps they're right. Maybe a military hero who shot down enemy planes is not the right kind of person to represent a school of effeminate homosexualized God hating country loathing pimple faced worthless pukes majoring in poli-sci and rave parties.
Western Decadence in full force. We are only as strong as our next generation, and having rubbed elbows with the next generation at college, I harbor fear for the future.
Unbelievable isn't it. WWII was the "good war" and a Medal of Honor recipient isn't good enough for them.
PS. That was my first post, but I've been lurking for a while.
I'm so mad right now I'm literally shaking.
Only the fight against Nazism was the "good" war. The fight against Japan was our imperialist attempt to oppress all the asian peoples of the war.
Haven't you been educated by real professionals like Sociology professors?
oops war=world
What a moron. What a freaking moron. Read his book, baby, if you know how to read. He wasn't rich, and he wasn't "white." He was just a guy, and a real live war hero who kept your sorry butt from having to learn Japanese, and we can't have enough monuments to them.
Something is wrong with this society, having people like that in positions of responsibility.
And let us not forget that the Pacific Theater was also intended to give us our unsinkeable aircraft carrier (Japan) for use against the Red Menace.
Student senator Jill Edwards, according to minutes of the student government's meeting last week, said she "didn't believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person UW wanted to produce."
Well I can certainly understand that. No self loving over self-esteemed dirt worshiping communist pinko cultural faggot pansies would ever want to be associated with the concepts of loyalty or honor esteemed by the USMC.
There was a thread and discussion of this topic a few days when a FReeper posted the meetings minutes. Makes one fear for the future when these idiots aren't bounced out of a meeting on their haughty left-wing butts.
What really wrong here isn't that there is someone with that opinion, it's that this opinion is taken seriously.
There have always been wackos in the world, but in a less insane time this person would have been laughed out of the room. But instead we have newspapers that print it as a legitimate position and school administration giving the opinion serious consideration.
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