bonnie Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 With the extravagance of this whole administration I wonder why this guy is a casualty of what is accepted behavior U.S. General Demoted Over 'Extravagant Trips' Gen. William “Kip” Ward will lose one star and retire as a three-star lieutenant general Comments (45) By Larry Mcshane / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 1:25 PM U.S. Army Gen. William E. Ward, commander, U.S. Africa Command testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 9, 2010, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the fiscal 2011 budget for the U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Joint Forces Command. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP U.S. Army Gen. William E. Ward, former commander, U.S. Africa Command, was demoted and ordered to repay $82,000 for unauthorized spending. Another day brought even more general disarray for the country to stomach. Gen. William “Kip” Ward, the one-time head of the U.S. Africa Command, was demoted Tuesday and ordered to repay $82,000 he blew on extravagant trips and other unauthorized expenses. The move by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta means Ward will lose one star and retire as a three-star lieutenant general, officials said. The penalty will dock the 63-year-old Ward about $30,000 a year in pension pay — although he’ll still pull down about $208,000 annually. The demotion is just the latest news of misbehavior by military brass. It followed the resignation of ex-Army Gen. David Petraeus from his post as CIA director for an adulterous affair, and reports that Marine Gen. John Allen is under investigation for his "flirtatious" exchanges with the whistleblower in the Petraeus case. Ward’s indiscretions included a stayover at a $750-a-night Bermuda hotel, two nights at the Waldorf Astoria and other lengthy stays at lavish inns. He and wife Joyce also accepted dinner and Broadway show tickets — one offer included a backstage meeting with Oscar winner Denzel Washington — from a government contractor, officials said. Ward, in a statement issued by a spokesman, said he was “not perfect ... (but) has never been motivated by personal gain.” Ward, who started in the Army infantry 41 years ago, became head of the Department of Defense Africa Command on Oct. 1, 2007. lmcshane@nydailynews.com Post a Comment » Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national...4#ixzz2CEg4Xx00 Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.