I didn’t agree with his politic however he served and proved his mettle on the battlefield in Vietnam.
Via The Federalist:
Just weeks after protesters at Middlebury College in Vermont violently shut down a presentation by the distinguished author Charles Murry for publishing ideas they didn’t like, the thought police have struck again.
Decorated war hero and lifelong public servant Jim Webb has been forced to decline the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Naval Academy Alumni Association due to what he described as a “small but vociferous group of women graduates” who oppose him.
Webb graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968, served as a U.S. Marine in a rifle platoon, was a company commander during the Vietnam War, received the Navy Cross for “extraordinary heroism,” the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts, was secretary of the Navy (1987-1988), and served as a U.S. senator (2006-2013).
He also gave one of the most impressive answers of the 2016 presidential election when, during one of the Democratic debates, in response to the question “Which enemy that you made during your political career are you most proud of?” he replied it was the enemy soldier who threw a grenade at him, but “he’s not around anymore.”
The Naval Academy’s Distinguished Graduate Award is given to alumni whose ”character, service and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities that the U.S. Naval Academy strives for in keeping with its ideals of duty, honor, loyalty and integrity,” of which Webb is clearly worthy.
Webb wrote in a statement explaining his decision to decline the award, “I am being told that my presence at the ceremony would likely mar the otherwise celebratory nature of that special day, and as a consequence I find it necessary to decline to accept the award.” In other words, there would be protesters to shut down the ceremony.
Jim Webb’s Unpardonable Sin: Crimethought
So, what, per this vociferous group of women graduates, is the unpardonable sin that trumps Webb’s phenomenal record of service? In 1979 Webb wrote a lengthy essay in the Washingtonian called “Women Can’t Fight.” Pointing out the physical differences between men and women that lead to demonstrably different warfighting capabilities is blasphemy against progressive doctrine.
It isn’t enough that he was (presumably, still is) willing to die for our country, or that he chose a life of public service. Nor is it enough that when he was secretary of the Navy he expanded the number of opportunities for women to serve in the Navy. Webb tried to defend himself by pointing to his record and the statements of many women who know him, but the protesters would not be reasoned with. That’s a characteristic of the hard Left. They reject reasoned discourse, differences of opinion, and any good faith show of compromise.