I have served under Admiral Boorda for the past four years. He was a very remarkable and admired Navy leader who won the loyalty of everyone who knew him. Admiral Boorda was always concerned for our (enlisted personnel) welfare. I wish to send his family my heart felt condolences, and prayers for their loss. If I had a icon in the world during my life time, it would be Admiral Mike Boorda.
Name : AT1 (AW,NAC) WARD ROBERT PHELPS III
Email : bond007@spa.es
AT1 (AW,NAC) USN Active
The whole story is very sad. No one likes to hear that the press might be responsible for pushing someone over the edge to suicide. However, I hope no one seriously lays the bulk of the blame for his death on the media. As a veteran, I know the great importance that is placed on service medals. However, anyone who would kill himself over a "V" for valor obviously had more problems than we could possibly know about.
Name : Greg Reynolds
Email : counsel@erols.com
I am interested to know why the CNO felt he was entitled to wear the insignia in question. Perhaps he had a legitimate reason for doing so, in spite of the fact that his actions seem to indicate otherwise. I can understand the necessity of maintaining the legitimacy of medals, but I am wondering why that need is more important to a person than his own life. Likewise I am wondering if the news story was important enough to pursue.
Name : Ken Cook
Email : kcook@mpaa.candler.nc.us
Well I see that Newsweek is trying to topple The Enquirer in sleaze journalism. What journalistic value was there in the reporting of Mike Boorda's medals other than to discredit and embarrass a person who gave everything to protecting this great country? Sure, Newsweek will respond that they were just "doing their job," and the consequences of them doing "their sleaze job" cost someone their life. I'm canceling my subscription to Newsweek today!
Name : David Williams
Email : credit@infi.net
The loss of Admiral Boorda was indeed tragic. However, I believe that his suicide is reflective of today's society. Owning up to one's mistakes is a rarity. Admiral Boorda's displaying of the "V" for valor on his medals for more than twenty years is a slap in the face to those who genuinely earned it. I hope the young seamen of today use him as an example of how not to react to a problem.
Name : Gerald Mullins
Email : gmullins@ix.netcom.com
Both of us are saddened at the death of Admiral Boorda. He was a great man, and was one of the best Naval leaders of this age. As enlisted men serving in this country's Navy, he was the prime example of how far one can go if one tries. Admiral Boorda was a role model for us all. He may have been "piped ashore," but he remains on watch in our memories.
Name : Will Scott-Smith and Ryan Stewart
Email : drifters@aloha-cafe.com
The loss of Admiral Boorda, the first Chief of Naval Operations to go from the lowest enlisted rank to the Navy's top officer. He certainly tried, in all of his years in the Navy, to make things better for us. We in the Navy will certainly miss his inspired leadership, and can only wonder why someone who had so much going for him could become so despondent as to take his own life. He was a sailor's Admiral. Fair winds and following seas, sir.
Name : Bart L. Denny
Email : bldenny@magicnet.net
Petty Officer First Class
United States Navy
The Navy and the U.S. has lost a great man. Admiral Boorda was the first "deckplate" CNO. For those of us who were "haze grey and underway", he was beacon amidst the politicians in Washington. He made us all feel that he cared about us. It's a shame when the news media finds it important to question whether a person is properly wearing the correct ribbons or not. If it's a matter of integrity, let his polices and actions speak. What is so important about what military decorations a person is wearing. Did he do it on purpose? Was there malicious intent? I think not. Instead, Newsweek now has a real coup. Admiral Boorda, from one sailor to another, were going to miss you.
Name : Lee Polikoff
Email : impopeye@nicom.com
I think it regrettable that Newsweek thought it necessary to make public an indiscretion that not only tainted a brilliant career, but cast a shadow on the U.S. Navy as well. While something should have been done, it should have been done internally and not made public. Especially, it should have been kept in it's proper perspective and not magnified to sell magazines! Certainly I am not for censoring the media, but I very certainly feel they ought to be called to account for what I would call a major indiscretion!
Name : Rev. James O'Rourke
Email : james@magiccarpet.com
After meeting Admiral Boorda in person, I feel that I can speak for everyone that he has ever come in contact with, that this is the greatest loss that the military has ever known. I have seen Admiral Boorda talk to admirals, officers, chiefs, enlisted personnel and he always made them feel that he was talking to an equal. There has never been anyone in this position with such individual concern for the enlisted men and women and has made such a difference in his navy. How long will we have to wait to see this position filled by someone who has had such an impact in making the Navy community more than just a number? We will all pray for and miss Admiral Boorda like a member of our own family. from all of us in Jacksonville, Admiral Boorda we will miss you. Our condolences are sent out to his family.
Name : suellyn fa'auuga, as2 usn
Email : jlsmith@jacscafe.com
Being on active duty, in the Navy, I have seen the many positive changes that have occurred under the direction of Admiral Boorda. This is a tragic end to an outstanding career. He will be missed.
Name : David Peters
Email : dpeters@dsport.com
The first reaction to the news of Admiral Boorda's apparent suicide is one of disbelief. This is a man who has risen from the lowest rank to the highest rank in the U.S. Navy. He has implemented some radically new ideas to improve the Navy for both the country and people in the Navy. If it was suicide, then there probably will be some sort of reason why he did it. (Although, I personally do not accept any reason for suicide). . . . In any case it is a sad day for the Nation and the U.S. Navy. My condolences to the family of Admiral Boorda, may you always have fair winds and following seas.
Name : Wayne Post
Email : postw@emh.kadena.af.mil
PO1 Wayne Post
I am completely shocked about Admiral Boorda's apparent suicide. I am currently serving in the Navy and have been for 11 years and Admiral Boorda has by far made the most significant and the most far reaching changes the Navy has ever seen. Not since Admiral Rickover has the Navy been so blessed with a wonderful leader. I can only imagine what might have caused him to choose this path after making only the right ones his whole life.
Name : J. Davison
Email : jdavison@wwa.com
The United States Navy has lost a tremendous leader. Admiral Boorda brought personal pride back into the Navy and made the sailor a proud member of American society. I send my condolences to the family. I am with you during this time of sorrow.
Admiral Mike...we will miss you.Name : CTOC(SW) D.S. Sites
Email : ssites@spa.es
I am a enlisted sailor in the U.S. Navy. Today is definitely a tragic one. I have met Admiral Boorda and have looked up to him as a very big inspiration in my life. I hope that his family will be comforted during their time of suffering and remember that he was a man that we all loved.
Name : Paul Joyce
Email : joyce@sinfo.net
As a retired military officer (US Army, Lieutenant Colonel), the words that come to mind are shocking, sad, and why?
Name : Lawson Pride
Email : jazzman8@msn.com
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