In 1972 the US Dep't.of Defense accused USAF General John D. Lavelle of violating presidential restrictions on aerial bombing and of the falsification of records to cover up the bombing. Gen Lavelle was demoted to the rank of major general and he retired in disgrace.
Turns out that DOD was well aware that the increased bombing had been approved by president Richard M. Nixon. Gen Lavelle was a scapegoat for Nixon's duplicity.
President Obama recently restored the rank and good name of Gen Lavelle.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/...FW3p2zmeR0fNdF
Quote:
In 2008 the Air Force Board for the Correction of Military Records found no evidence that Lavelle caused, directly or indirectly, the falsification of records or that he was even aware of their existence.
The board also agreed with the family's assertion that the 1972 decision had been based on incomplete information and that the White House and others withheld important facts.
"After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant's contentions, we find sufficient evidence the retirement grade in which the member was nominated was the result of material error — an incomplete record," the board concluded.
It added: "It is clear the White House, the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff all possessed evidence which, if released, would have exonerated him."
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USAF General Lavelle, A Scapegoat
