FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: LTG William Gerald (Jerry) Boykin~ February 6, 2012

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

LTG Gerald (Jerry) Boykin

Info from here.

           

Lieutenant General William G. Boykin (retired) was the United States Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. He has played a role in almost every recent major American military operation, serving in Grenada, Somalia, and Iraq. He is currently an author and teaches at Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia.

William G. "Jerry" Boykin was born in New Bern, North Carolina. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1971.

In 1971 Boykin was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He later held positions within the 2nd Armored Division, 101st Airborne Division, and served as a company commander in the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized).

From 1978-1993 Boykin was assigned in various capacities to Delta Force. Lt. Col. L.H. "Bucky" Burruss, helping with Delta Force selection at the time, recalled that Boykin "had a bad knee and I thought he would never make it.... I thought, I hate to see this guy busting his [butt], I don't see how he can make it on this bad road wheel, but he surprised us." In fact, a Fort Bragg psychologist almost ended Boykin's career, wanting to exclude him from the Delta Force because he was "too religious". However, he was finally accepted into the Delta Force at the age of 29. Burruss wrote at the time that "Jerry Boykin is a Christian gentleman of the highest order." Boykin believed God had a hand in things: "God led me into the Delta Force.... And He said to me, 'This is where you ought to be.'"

By 1980 he was the Delta Force operations officer on the April 24–25 Iranian hostage rescue attempt. Boykin called it "the greatest disappointment of my professional career because we didn't bring home 53 Americans." Despite this, his "faith was strengthened" believing he had witnessed "a miracle": "Not one man who stood with us in the desert and pleaded for God to go with us was killed or even injured that night."

In October 1983, Maj. Boykin worked as an operations officer during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. During a dawn assault to free some Grenada government officials held by the Marxist People's Revolutionary Army, Boykin was shot in the arm with a .50 caliber round, splitting the bone completely in two. He was told he would never use it again, but his arm healed, which Boykin again believed God was responsible for.

In 1989, Boykin was in Panama as part of the mission to apprehend Manuel Noriega.

From 1990 to 1991 he was at the Army War College. In 1992 and early 1993, as a colonel, Boykin was in Colombia leading a mission to hunt for drug lord Pablo Escobar. Seymour Hersh later claimed in The New Yorker that there were suspicions within the Pentagon that Boykin's team was going to take part in the assassination of Pablo Escobar, and that US Embassy officials in Colombia were acting as support. Hersh refers to Mark Bowden's book Killing Pablo which made allegations that the Pentagon believed Boykin intended to break the law and exceed his authority in the operation. Mark Bowden states that “within the special ops community... Pablo's death was regarded as a successful mission for Delta, and legend has it that its operators were in on the kill.” Hersh quotes an anonymous retired army general as saying, “That's what those guys did. I've seen pictures of Escobar's body that you don’t get from a long-range telescope lens. They were taken by guys on the assault team.”

In April 1993, he helped advise Attorney General Janet Reno regarding the stand-off at Waco, Texas, between the Federal Government and the Branch Davidians.

In October 1993, Colonel Boykin was in command of the Delta Force tracking down militia leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid in Somalia, during which time the infamous Battle of Mogadishu took place. Boykin recalled seeing a truck pull up to the US base near Mogadishu airport filled with bodies: "I watched that tailgate open and I watched the blood of my soldiers pour out of that truck like water." Shortly after, Boykin was wounded in a mortar attack on the compound. The Hollywood movie Black Hawk Down which depicts the Battle of Mogadishu, omits Boykin's role as mission commander

Some time afterwards, Boykin served at the Central Intelligence Agency as Deputy Director of Special Activities, and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. He was later made Deputy Director for Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization when assigned to the Army Staff.

From April 1998 to February 2000, he served as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From March 2000-2003, he was the Commanding General, United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, N.C. In June 2003, he was appointed Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence under Dr. Stephen Cambone, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

LTG Boykin retired on August 1, 2007, and currently teaches at Hampden-Sydney College.

LTG Boykin is the author of Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom, Danger Close: A Novel, and Kiloton Threat: A Novel

Boykin went to Armed Forces Staff College, Army War College, and Shippensburg University (where he received a Masters Degree). His badges include the Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Badge, Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab. Medals and awards include: "the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star, Air Medal and the Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Cluster).

LTG Boykin has faced harsh criticism and ostracism because of his deep Christian beliefs and his outspokenness about those beliefs.  According to an article at TownHall.com...

A three-star Army general and war hero cannot speak at West Point because he’s an outspoken Christian. So the Obama administration’s hostility toward religion—and especially Christians—continues even to the detriment of our men and women in uniform.

Lieutenant General William G. (“Jerry”) Boykin is like an action-movie hero. When the super-elite Delta Force was formed in late 1970s—our top counter-insurgent military unit that the Pentagon still does not officially discuss—this ranger in the 101st Airborne unit was tapped to be part of it.

...

Jerry Boykin has done it all. He’s been in battle as part of America’s most elite fighting force, then rose to command those troops as a general, and also served in the CIA and Pentagon on the strategic planning and management side of this equation.

He is also a Christian evangelist who speaks at churches nationwide. As a private citizen retired from the Army, General Boykin was invited to speak at a prayer breakfast at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He seems like an ideal choice, as someone who has served as the tip of the spear at the highest ranks, who is also a man of profoundly deep faith.

But the Far Left exploded. Boykin has cast America’s war against radical Islamic terrorists as fighting Satan. So his religious language has made strange bedfellows of various Islamic groups joining with atheists to call on West Point to disinvite this American hero who risked and achieved so much for this country. Evidently it’s not politically correct to suggest that blowing up children is the devil’s work.

After heavy pressure, General Boykin chose to withdraw. This soldier fears no foe, but the situation evolved in a direction where his message of faith and courage would be overshadowed by controversy to the possible detriment of the West Point cadets.

LTG Boykin is truly someone worthy of the title "Hero."  You can see his testimony here.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

 

[Diver Dave]

Thank you for the bio on Gen Boykin. A HERO in many aspects.

Proud to call him my Brother in Christ.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD)
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
86th Fighter Weapons Squadron "Combat Hammer" (saminfl)
AbnSarge USA
Adam USAF (Grumpybutt)
Allegra
Anoreth USCG (daughter of Tax-chick)
aviator USAF
BIGLOOK USN
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
CAPT Bryan USA (Diver Dave)
CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
COL Mike (gpapa)
CPT Carol USA, Nurse Corps (Vineyard)
CMS USA
ConorMacNessa USN USMC
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Diver Dave USN
Drumbo USN
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
forgotenknight13 USA (grandson of Monkey Face)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
HiJinx USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
James USA (Grumpybutt)
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
KJD USAF (SuzyQue)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
LCpl Joe USMC (Don’tMessWithTexas)
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
LT David (Coldwater Creek)
LTjg Gerald USN (Vineyard)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
Major Jennifer USA (Diver Dave)
Major joma89 USAF
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Michael USAR (RightOnline)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
MSgt Eddie USAF ( Son of ThomasPaine2000, CMSgt USAF, Ret)
MSGT Glen Ignasiak USAF (nephew of AirForceMom)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Navy Chaplain, Lt Nathan Rice (ColdwaterCreek)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit)
Philetus USA
PROCON USA
Publius USA
Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit)
Rick USAF (Doogle)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
SandRat USA
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
SGT Chris USA (son of Vineyard)
SGT Ev USA (Mozie)
SGT Gray USA (colorcountry’s son)
SGT Matt USMC (SuzyQue)
SGT Robert USMC (MarineMom613)
SGT Sean Reed (preed)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Drew USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SPC Ted USA (nephew of hoagy62)
SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer)
SPC4 Adam USA (nephew of Repeal The 17th)
SPC4 Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
SSG Brian USA (repubmom)
SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD)
SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad)
SSG Mitchel USA (tina07)
SSG Spencer USA (grame)
SSGT Adam USA (Diver Dave)
SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
SSGT The Black Knight USAF
Stevan USA (Grumpybutt)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
TMSuchman USMC
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
TSGT Jason M Kibler USAF (son of AirForceMom)
SFC txradioguy USA
USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman)
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
Vineyard USN
William USA (jackv)
WOs Bob and Michelle USA (nephew, and his wife, of BnBlFlag)

 

[Diver Dave]

I want to add this info - My next door neighbors have a son who is a second year student at West Point.

Next time I talk with them I’ll share this Canteen Thread with them.

Salute to Cadet Tyler....two.

[ConorMacNessa]

Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!

Missing Man Setting

Never Forget Those Who Sacrificed All That We Could Live In Freedom!!

Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!

[Diver Dave]

Your Missing Man Setting speaks loudly to me.

A few years ago at the FReeRepublic picnic in Fresno, I gave the narration about the Missing Man Setting. One of my proud moments in life.

[ConorMacNessa]

Salute to Cadet Tyler!



To you, young Sir, we entrust the Freedom of our Nation, with
the confidence that you will discharge your duty in
accordance with the proud and ancient tradition of your service!



Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

It is fraught with meaning for those of us who have served in battle. It resonates with all those who love our Nation and the freedoms we enjoy by virtue of their service and sacrifice. I am honored to post that graphic and will continue to do so as long as there is life in me.



Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

[ConorMacNessa]

And well should you be proud, Dave! I'm not sure I could bring that off without breaking down - the older I get the more I find myself welling up with tears reflecting on the sacrifices of our Brothers-in-Arms and the freedom their efforts have garnered for us.

Not to bore you with a long-winded narrative, but my family has rendered military service to the USA since the beginning. In WWII, I have a platoon of uncles who served in all branches - and my father, who enlisted on his 18th birthday in the Navy - 27feb1945 - when Hitler and Tojo still had an alternate vision of the post-war world than ours. My dad went on to serve as an enlisted man and officer in Korea, the Cold War and Vietnam.

Without boast, I say that I am justly proud of the service my family has rendered to the Nation. My youngest son has expressed a desire to join the Marines. Needless to say, I would be proud as punch if he did so.

My hat is off to all who have served our Nation. I'm in awe of the current generation serving in our military. Thank God we still produce men and women of this ilk! May we continue to do so into the future!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in first....Perky grabs the gold!!

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Night Owl!

Thanks....I would have gotten back sooner but my son just left, my phone has been ringing and I'm still trying to figure out why Madonna was chosen to perform at half time......hmmmmm.....we'll get back to that.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....Nana Hope snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....SkyDancer bags the bronze!!

[luvie]

God bless our Canteen heroes and keep them safe...as they keep us free!

[SkyDancer]

Whoo Hoo!!!

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Doc!

Hoping that you're better today and better tomorrow.

There are no atheists in fighting holes (that's 'fox holes' for Army personnel) and politics ends when the steel is in the air. You know, I know and General Boykin knows.....and I'd hope that his message was passed on down the line in the most effective way known in the military. Scuttlebutt.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I chose to watch anything but the half time show.

Hope son is doing ok, and all your phone calls were interesting. Every one happy about the Giants winning the Super Bowl?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...did you have lessons today?

How is recital planning coming along? Will all your students be at the same recital?

[ConorMacNessa]

Roger that, Shipmate!

Sad to say, still feeling weak. IF I feel this way in the morning, I'm going to get in to see my PCP. Don't understand how these symptoms can persist so long without abatement. I guess it's just old age setting in - senility is next in line.

Not to worry - I'm not ready to cast off this corporeal shell. I'm reminded of the poem by Dylan Thomas - "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night!":

"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."



Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

I loathe the Giants! But of course, if you're a Giants fan, I congratulate you on their hard won victory!

I didn't watch the halftime show - I see from another thread that it was solidly in the tradition of the previous SB Halftime Shows in its blatant vulgarity. Another thumb in the nose to family values courtesy of the NFL. In any event, I wouldn't watch "Madonna" in performance except under actual torture.



Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)