Michael Boorda | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Boorda's official Chief of Naval Operations portrait; note the two ribbons with "V" devices | |
| Nickname(s) | Mike[1] |
| Born | November 26, 1939 South Bend, Indiana, United States |
| Died | May 16, 1996 (aged 56) Washington, D.C., United States |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery (Section 64, Lot 7101 Grid MM-17) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1956–1996 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of Naval Operations United States Naval Forces Europe Allied Forces Southern Europe Chief of Naval Personnel Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight Destroyer Squadron 22 USS Farragut USS Parrot |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Bosnian War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (4) Army Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Meritorious Service Medal (2) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |
Jeremy Michael Boorda (November 26, 1939 – May 16, 1996) was a United States Navy admiral who served as the 25th Chief of Naval Operations. Boorda is notable as the first person to have risen from the enlisted ranks to become Chief of Naval Operations, the highest-ranking billet in the United States Navy.
Boorda died by suicide by shooting himself in the chest after leaving suicide notes reported to contain expressions of concern that he had tarnished the reputation of the Navy, following a media investigation into the legitimacy of his having worn on his uniform two service medals with bronze "V" devices, which indicate the awards were for acts of valor. The "V" devices are by regulation only to be awarded to personnel who performed an act of valor in actual combat, and Boorda had not served in combat. Boorda had removed the two medal devices on his uniform almost a year before he died and was generally perceived as having made a good-faith error in believing he was authorized to wear the devices.[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Hearingwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Shenon, Philip (1996-05-18). "Admiral, in Suicide Note, Apologized to 'My Sailors'". New York Times. Retrieved 2018-12-02.