The journalist who questioned whether Adm. Jeremy Boorda earned all his medals reportedly also had decorations he apparently did not earn.
Retired Army Col. David Hackworth was scheduled to interview Boorda, the Navy's top admiral, on the day Boorda committed suicide one year ago.CNN reported Thursday that Hackworth's wearing of the awards may have been an honest mistake. Ironically, Boorda made the same argument before he died.
Boorda, 56, committed suicide less than two hours after he learned that reporters from Newsweek magazine would be questioning him about two pins on ribbon decorations that he had worn. He left notes lamenting the coming disclosure that he had improperly worn the two bronze "V" pins, which normally are awarded for valor in combat.
Hackworth was one of the reporters Boorda expected to see. Hackworth has often described himself as one of America's most decorated living veterans.
Hackworth was a columnist for Newsweek at the time and often wrote scathing criticisms of the military. He wrote another shortly after Boorda's death, called "Why Medals Matter."
"It is simply unthinkable an experienced officer would wear decorations he is not entitled to, awards that others bled for. There is no greater disgrace," he wrote.
Hackworth, now a syndicated columnist for King Features, told CNN that he recently found out that he was not entitled to a "Ranger" tag, which is worn on the shoulder of a uniform. Normally, it indicates that the wearer has completed one of the Army's toughest training courses, a rigorous entry to one of the service's most elite groups.
Also, Hackworth told CNN he found that the Army had given him two "Distinguished Flying Cross" medals, when he had only earned one.
Hackworth had listed the medals on his personal Internet page, but has removed them, he told CNN.
"The minute I found that the qualification didn't pertain to me, I zapped it," Hackworth was quoted as saying, contending that there was no comparison of his situation with Boorda's.