General dead for 31 years nominated for promotion to clear his record
The president nominates officers for important promotions all the time, but Wednesday, he nominated John D. Lavelle, a two-star major general, to be promoted all the way up to a four-star general. What makes this nomination different is that Lavelle died 31 years ago.
The story began amid the controversial Vietnam War, while Richard Nixon was president.
In 1972, Lavelle was a four-star Air Force general. But, according to the Pentagon and historical record, in April of that year, he was removed from command because of allegations that he ordered bombing missions into North Vietnam that had not been authorized.
Reports from 1972 said Lavelle advocated the bombing of radar sites in North Vietnam that were helping the enemy shoot down American pilots on missions.
Before Lavelle's orders to attack radar sites, the North Vietnamese had developed a more effective anti-aircraft defense system and had become very adept at targeting U.S. planes. Existing rules of engagement said the the American pilots couldn't attack the radar sites until the enemy attacked the Americans.
Lavelle also allegedly tried to falsify records about the missions by claiming the bombings were in response to enemy fire that never happened.
When the situation became public, it became the focus of much media attention, even making the cover of Newsweek magazine. The entire scandal was called the Lavelle affair....
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The story began amid the controversial Vietnam War, while Richard Nixon was president.
In 1972, Lavelle was a four-star Air Force general. But, according to the Pentagon and historical record, in April of that year, he was removed from command because of allegations that he ordered bombing missions into North Vietnam that had not been authorized.
Reports from 1972 said Lavelle advocated the bombing of radar sites in North Vietnam that were helping the enemy shoot down American pilots on missions.
Before Lavelle's orders to attack radar sites, the North Vietnamese had developed a more effective anti-aircraft defense system and had become very adept at targeting U.S. planes. Existing rules of engagement said the the American pilots couldn't attack the radar sites until the enemy attacked the Americans.
Lavelle also allegedly tried to falsify records about the missions by claiming the bombings were in response to enemy fire that never happened.
When the situation became public, it became the focus of much media attention, even making the cover of Newsweek magazine. The entire scandal was called the Lavelle affair....