Calls on US Navy to Reconsider Decision
(JOHNSTOWN, PA) – Republican 12th Congressional District candidate William Russell today called on U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to reconsider his decision to name the 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship after the late Rep. John P. Murtha. Russell called the decision an insult to all the brave men and women serving in uniform, as a result of Mr. Murtha’s 2006 comments calling Marines “cold-blooded killers.” Russell also pointed out that that Navy tradition calls for the naming of San Antonio class ships after famous war battles and not former Congressmen.
“Even the media is questioning Secretary Mabus’s decision to name a new ship after Mr. Murtha,” Russell said. “The Washington Times called it (Mr. Murtha’s) ‘highest undeserved honor,’ and as a veteran I find this particularly offensive. In fact, I stood up against Mr. Murtha’s comments back in 2008 when it was a matter of conviction and not just political expediency. I was even threatened for my position of defending those brave Marines.”
Russell has called on veteran’s groups around the country to express their displeasure with the Navy Secretary’s decision.
I am a Navy veteran from Johnstown and I concur that the ship should not be named after Mr Murtha due to the comments he made about the Haditha Marines that he never did apologize for. It would be an insult to the Marines that would be deployed on that ship. Since this class of ship is supposed to be named after famous battles maybe they coul name it the USS Haditha in honor of the brave men and women that fought in that battle. One of the turning points of the Iraq war. Just a suggestion.
As an ex-Marine I was completely amazed at the comment
That Murtha made about fellow Marines. He showewd himself
to having forgotten our motto “Semper Fi!”, He judged,gave his verdict, and convicted fellow Marines based on his “political feelings” and was 100 percent wrong. Good ridence!
I wonder if the next ship will be USS OBAMA! America needs to stop allowing this present political establishment destroy AMERICA. OBAMA failed to mention that his diffinitions Change equals deranged./
What an insult! Why would we honor this caricature of a corrupt politician in this way? How about we find a real hero and put his name on the ship!
This is ridiculous to name a ship after one of the most corrupt poeple to ever be in Congress. Should the next ship be named after the judge who awarded Murtha the protections from the lawsuits that he neither deserved nor was entitled to have?
The killing of innocent civilians by these marines was not, in any way, an act conducive with how a member of the United Stated Military, especially the Marine corps, should ever behave in battle if they intend to call themselves soldiers. 15 of those killed were non combatants and casualties included women and children. This was a terrible act of violence and, while the congressman’s remarks may seem extreme to some, there is no doubt that these marines deserved retribution. Should our nation be proud of and embrace our men and women in uniform? YES, absolutely and unabashedly. However, should we speak up and speak out against actions that are heinous and criminal? YES. The naming of a US Navy Vessel after a congressman is certainly debatable, but Congressman Murtha’s remarks, at least in my mind, hold no bearing in this… as they came form a place which highlighted the reality that wearing a uniform doesn’t absolve you of responsibility.
From the Washington Times Editorial referenced by Col. Russell:
*****”This dishonors every Marine who will serve aboard that ship,” a Navy officer told The Washington Times. “And it sends a poor message to the acquisition community that politicians can have ships named after them just for sending pork back to their districts.” … and “nothing about this man will be inspiring to the crew assigned to the ship.”
… The USNS Benavidez is named for Army Master Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez, who, wounded and under heavy assault, saved the lives of eight men at Loc Ninh in South Vietnam in 1968. He was awarded the Medal of Honor. Likewise the USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin, which is named for a Marine who was mortally wounded on Iwo Jima while leading his men in a counterattack against a massed Japanese suicide charge. The USNS Shughart is named after Sgt. 1st Class Randy Shughart, killed at the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. These are the types of veterans who should be given such an honor, not a political hack whose most successful defensive maneuver was saving his pork-laden earmarks from surprise attacks of fiscal responsibility.*****
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/apr/15/sink-the-murtha/
What a sad sack of affairs! I’m turning in my grave as you read. Just what will the men aboard this ship gain from the benedict arnold swipe of Murtha at the cost of their brothers in arms? What will this ship’s motto be? Denegrate, desecrate and lie?
Navy you need to pull your shite together if this is what is to be expected from SECNAV naming in the future.
Excuse me while I vomit.
I believe that Murtha’s actions as congressman don’t qualify him for any military honors. Yes, he served his country but no he didn’t respect our military as congressman. He was constantly investigated for corruption, though, I don’t know if he would have been caught. Murtha called his district racist rednecks and misrepresented us. Now his name is going on a navy ship?
To Nate,
Those Marines were found not guilty!! He still did not apologize. So how were his actions honorable in this situation? Shame on Him and Shame on You.