SHEEP TOO BLACK

The Associated Students of the University of Washington recently proposed that a memorial be erected in honour of UW alumnus Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boynington so that "all who come here in future years will know that the University of Washington produced one of this country’s bravest men, and that we as a community hold this fact in the highest esteem" and because Boyington is "a prime example of the excellence that this university represents and strives to impart upon its students..."

The resolution states in part:

WHEREAS Col. Gregory Boyington who as a student at the University of Washington from 1930 to 1934, was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, served as an ROTC cadet, and represented this university as a swimmer and wrestler and held the Pacific Northwest Intercollegiate middleweight wrestling title before he graduated in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering with a 2nd Lieutenant's Commission in the Coast Artillery Corps, served as a combat pilot in the 1st Squadron, American Volunteer Group (the "Flying Tigers of China") and served subsequently as a Marine Corps combat pilot in the Pacific Theatre as Commander, Marine Fighting Squadron 214 ("The Black Sheep Squadron") from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944, during which time he was awarded the Navy Cross, America's second highest combat decoration, and the Medal of Honor, America’s highest combat decoration, whose citation which was signed by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt in March 1944 which reads:

For extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO FOURTEEN in action against enemy Japanese forces in Central Solomons Area from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory, Major Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence, leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping, shore installations and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict crippling damage on the enemy, Major Boyington led a formation of twenty-four fighters over Kahili on 17 October and, persistently circling the airdrome where sixty hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down twenty enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Major Boyington personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron and by his forceful leadership developed the combat readiness in his command which was a distinctive factor in the Allied aerial achievements in this vitally strategic area.

and, Col. Boyington was shot down on 3 January 1944 and then spent twenty months in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp before repatriation on 29 August 1945...

Now I'm sure you can all see where this is going; here's the quick summary of the Student Senate meeting at which the resolution was considered:

Andrew Everett, sponsor of the legislation, summarized the resolution. He said he wasn’t interested in a large statue, but rather something on a small scale.

Jono Hanks asked why Andrew Everett was interested in honoring this particular alumnus.

Jill Edwards questioned whether it was appropriate to honor a person who killed other people. She said she didn’t believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person UW wanted to produce.

Ashley Miller commented that many monuments at UW already commemorate rich white men.

Jon Lee said he didn’t want to see a campus inundated with memorials. He said he feared this would open the invitation to multiple other memorials.

Deidre Lockman moved to strike the quote from President Roosevelt. Seconded. Objection. She said the resolution focused more heavily on the negative aspects of war and should instead focus on more positive aspects such as the awarding of the Medal of Honor.

Travis Grandy moved to amend the amendment to restore “whose citation was signed by pres. Franklin D Roosevelt in March 1944”. Seconded. Passed without objection.

Shawn Fisher said he thought the quote was unnecessary and reflected badly on the resolution.

Alex Kerchner said the issue was clear cut and that it didn’t make any sense to commend Colonel Boyington for his Medal of Honor, and yet remove the reason it was awarded.

Debate was closed on the resolution.

Division was called on the resolution.

The vote was tied 45-45-10

Alex Kim noted that in the case of a tie, the Senate Chair cast the tiebreaking vote.

Alex Kim voted nay. The resolution failed.

There's the proof yet again; universities are full of fuckwits.

Via the indispensable Clear and Present.

Student Senate Chair Alex Kim can be contacted at asuwssch@u.washington.edu

Update: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports:

The student government of the University of Washington has come under attack from talk radio and the Internet after recently deciding not to support the creation of a campus memorial to alumnus and World War II veteran Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.

Some students say they have received scores of angry e-mails and phone calls -- some from as far away as Texas, Georgia and New York.

The students say their comments in last week's student senate meeting were taken out of context and that the minutes posted online -- and passed on through e-mails and blogs -- did not reflect the nature of the meeting.

Two students whose comments have been much criticized said that the minutes posted on the Internet didn't accurately reflect what happened.

UW sophomore Jill Edwards, who in the minutes questioned if a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the type of person the UW would want to produce, said she did not mean to offend anyone with her comments, but instead was trying to start a discussion among students who might be afraid to question a World War II vet.

"Obviously he is a great man, and I'm very proud he's an alumnus," she said. "I don't want to feel like we're trying to impose an ideal of achievement on the UW."

UW senior Ashley Miller has also been derided for her comment, according to the minutes, that the university already has monuments that commemorate rich white men. She said her comments were made as part of a general discussion about memorials on campus, not about Boyington specifically.

Yep, fuckwits. Oh yeah, they've now received emails from as far away as Australia.