[Non-Sequitur]

Born in Danville, Kentucky, on January 15, 1945, Higgins earned his bachelor's degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. A scholarship student in the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps, he received the Marine Corps Association Award and was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1967. He later obtained a master's degrees from Pepperdine University and Auburn University. He graduated from the Army Infantry Officers Advanced Course, the Air Force Command and Staff College, and the National War College.

As a lieutenant, he participated in combat operations during 1968 with C Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines in the Republic of Vietnam as a rifle platoon commander and rifle company executive officer, and was aide-de-camp to the Assistant 3d Marine Division Commander. In 1969 Lt. Higgins served at Headquarters Marine Corps and in 1970 as the Officer-in-Charge of the Officer Selection Team in Louisville, Kentucky.

Captain Higgins returned to Vietnam in 1972 as an infantry battalion advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps, then served as a rifle company commander with C Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. From 1973 to 1977, Captain Higgins served at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy and Officer Candidate School, both in Quantico, Virginia.

Returning to the Fleet Marine Force in 1977, Capt. Higgins was assigned to the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he again served as a rifle company commander with A Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. Upon promotion to major, he was reassigned as the Logistics Officer for Regimental Landing Team 2, 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade.

After completion of the Air Force Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in 1980, designated a distinguished graduate, he returned to Washington where he served at Headquarters as a Plans Officer until his selection to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. During 1981 and 1982, he served as Military Assistant to the Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, then as Assistant for Interagency Matters to the Executive Secretary for the Department of Defense. After graduation from the National War College in 1985, he returned to the Pentagon as the Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, where he served until he was transferred to his United Nations assignment in July 1987. He was promoted to colonel on March 1, 1989.

Col. Higgins' military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (posthumous), Bronze Star with combat "V," Purple Heart (posthumous), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with bronze star and combat "V," Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with silver star, Staff Service Honor Medal, United Nations Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal (posthumous), and numerous unit commendations and campaign ribbons.

So, where are the blemishes?

[Tailback]

Every award in his "rack" is the standard for an officer serving in RVN in a combat unit. His legion of merit was posthumously awarded which means that was given after his murder. From what I can tell from your post he spent approximately 3 years out of 21 in "Line" positions as either a platoon leader or company commander. The rest of his career was spent as an XO or other flunky paper pusher. What exactly else does your post indicate about his service record? It does appear that he is very highly educated which means absolutely nothing in the military. I'm no ignorant civilian bamboozled with a chest full of pretty ribbons. Lets hear what former subordinates say about him. It is interesting that despite being a combat veteran with a "I Love Me" wall full of diplomas it still took him ten years to make Major. That could be because of the cut downs after the Viet Nam war though. I'm not criticising him, I'm just trying to put in perspective that not every officer that gets whacked by a psychopath is God's gift to the military.

[bat-boy]

I would say that even if Col. Higgins was a sad sack soldier, he died serving his country so is a hero in my book.

Although for what it's worth, I would say the man was an honorable hard-charging marine and not a sad sack. He was both a platoon leader and a company commander in combat line units and he had experience as a staff officer at many different levels. A fairly rare combination due to the Carter military purge.

Also, officers who serve in the staff position's Col. Higgins served in usually become well connected, and are pretty much able to pick and choose assignments. I'm sure he could have gotten out of that assignment if he so chose. But he didn't. As far as that goes, he could have requested the assignment (just to get out of freaking DC!)! A true warrior and the marine corp is worse off without him. May the Lord bless his soul.

As to SPC New.....I think he did what he thought was right. It took a lot of courage and conviction to do what he did, IMO. I respect that. As to the hub-bub about whether or not the orders were lawful? Well the courts have said they were lawful orders, so New got what punishment he deserved. However, I disagree with the opinion of the court as to the lawfulness of the orders.

That being said, if I was still wearing the uniform, I would wear the U.N. attire if ordered to do so until such a time that the decision was overturned.

GO ARMY!

RLTW!

Semper Suo