Question for the military history buffs...

"Who is the only Air Force officer since General Billy Mitchel to have his court martial over turned by the US Congress?"

Col. Jacksel Broughton

Sidenote - Billy Mitchell's court-martial conviction was never overturned or set aside by Congress. He was posthumously promoted to Major General and awarded a Special Congressional Medal of Honor in 1946. In 1955 the Air Force Association (a civilian non-profit organization) passed a resolution to void Billy Mitchell's court-martial. The Air Force denied the request to set-aside his court-martial verdict in 1957.

Medal

RD

<small>[ November 14, 2003, 14:12: Message edited by: guru ]</small>

guru,
I stand corrected. Is there no limit to your knowledge? Any insight into why Col Olds disqualified himself from the Board? MC

The limits of my knowledge are quite finite, but thanks.

I'm not very familiar with Col. Broughton's case, but I was under the impression Col. Olds was part of the board of review that cleared his men and found him guilty of destruction of government property.

Is it Chilly in here?
RD

No, General Olds (Colonel at the time)disqualified himself from the board for reasons not stated in either of Broughton's books nor mentioned by General Olds in anywhere else that I know of.
Colonel Chuck Yeager was in charge of the board and they did clear Broughton's men for inadvertantly firing on a Russian freighter named the "Turkistan" as they were defending themselves from AAA guns around Haiphong Harbor. The board did find Colonel Broughton guilty of "Destruction of Government Property" for destroying the gun camera film of the incident. He was not criticized or found guilty of trying to cover up the whole affair.
Just wondering if anyone had any insight into General Olds' decision.

Where are my manners?
Guru, PM me with your address and I will send the appropriate T-shirt. MC

It looks like a T-Shirt is now the standard wager for stump the chump...

Thanks, but I have too many t-shirts anyway.

RD

Roger that. All mine are the standard PT issue variety but I have a nice gray shirt with the 123STS patch on it that I figured would be different. Let me know.

Alright MC, you twisted my arm. PM sent.

RD