Khobar Towers general gets second star

[unhappycamper]

The Air Force Board for the Correction of Military Records decided that holding Terry Schwalier responsible for the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia amounted to an injustice. The board ordered that his second star be reinstated, and found that he should have been promoted to the rank of major general effective Jan. 1, 1997.


Khobar Towers general gets second star
By Erik Holmes - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jan 14, 2008 6:24:49 EST

Terry Schwalier has lived in the shadow of Khobar Towers for more than 11 years.

The June 25, 1996, terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 airmen under Schwalier’s command remains a defining moment in his life and career. “It’s deeply embedded in my mind,” Schwalier said from his home in Knoxville, Tenn. “Every moment, every second is very, very clear.”

Perhaps now the retired fighter pilot can finally put those memories to rest.

The Air Force Board for the Correction of Military Records ended a long-running dispute Dec. 20 by deciding that holding Schwalier responsible for the bombing by effectively stripping him of his second star back then amounted to an injustice. The board ordered that his second star be reinstated, and found that he should have been promoted to the rank of major general effective Jan. 1, 1997.

After years of maintaining he had done all he could reasonably have been expected to do to protect his airmen — a conclusion shared by three of the four government investigations into the attack — Schwalier said he feels that justice has finally been done.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/01/airforce_schwalier_080113w/