An Open Letter to Gabrielle Giffords

The Hon. Gabrielle Giffords
c/o Giffords for Congress
P.O. Box 12886
Tucson, AZ 85732-2886

Dear Ms. Giffords,

My first reaction yesterday to the announcement by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus that the fifth Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship of the United States Navy would carry your name was one of incredulity as I find the honor to be improperly given. Yet, at first, I did not believe this reflected poorly on you personally, but my opinion there has now changed. It is simply a disgrace that you are accepting this honor. I respectfully ask you to consider the following, and to reconsider your acceptance.

On June 27, 2005, four US Navy SEALs set off on a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan as part of Operation Red Wings. They were ambushed. Three of the four were killed. Their commander, Lieutenant (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage and leadership in the face of the enemy. I'm sure you're aware that there is no higher decoration our Nation can bestow, and that the final Arleigh Burke-class destroyer currently under construction is DDG-112, named the USS Michael Murphy.

The three other SEALs with Murphy all received the Navy Cross for heroism, just one slight notch below the Medal of Honor. The sole survivor, Marcus Luttrell, is still living and in general, I believe active US Navy warships should only be named for living individuals under the most unusual and extraordinary circumstances. But what of the two who received their awards posthumously after giving their lives for the United States?

Matthew Axelson was born just nine days before our Nation's Bicentennial in 1976. He was three days past his 29th birthday when he died. His Navy Cross citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sonar Technician Second Class Matthew Gene Axelson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in actions against the enemy while serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit, Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. Petty Officer Axelson demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. Operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area, in extremely rugged terrain, his Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in support of a follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation, Petty Officer Axelson's element bravely engaged the militia, who held both a numerical and positional advantage. The ensuing firefight resulted in numerous enemy personnel killed, with several of the Navy members suffering casualties. Ignoring his injuries and demonstrating exceptional composure, Petty Officer Axelson advised the teammate closest to him to escape while he provided cover fire. With total disregard for his own life and thinking only of his teammate's survival, he continued to attack the enemy, eliminating additional militia fighters, until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. A champion of freedom, Petty Officer Axelson will be remembered for his self-sacrificing actions in the continuing Global War on Terrorism. By his undaunted courage, fortitude under fire, and unwavering dedication to duty, Petty Officer Axelson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.

Danny Dietz hailed from Colorado. In June 2005, he was 25 years old. His Navy Cross citation follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Gunners Mate Second Class Danny Phillip Dietz, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in actions against the enemy while serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit, Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. Petty Officer Dietz demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. Operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area, in extremely rugged terrain, his Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in support of a follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy force. Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded. By his undaunted courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Dietz' courageous and selfless heroism, exceptional professional skill, and utmost devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.

One of the roles of the Littoral Combat ship that at this time will bear your name is the inshore support of special operations forces generally, and SEALs in particular. Wouldn't it be more fitting and appropriate for LCS-10 to be named for Matthew Axelson or Danny Dietz rather than yourself?

Your husband is a decorated Naval Aviator, combat veteran, and NASA Astronaut. Naming a ship for him would be ten times more fitting than for yourself, even though he too is still living. I would hope he had advised you against accepting this recognition, as I would expect any honorable Naval Officer so to do. Alas, from pictures of the naming event, I'd say that wasn't the case.

Your congressional career was undistinguished. The main take away we are left with now is that you served long enough to be imbued with statist self-importance such that you believe yourself deserving of the honor you have been given, with or without the heinous attack upon yourself by a deranged individual. I can draw no other conclusion than that, since you have not rejected it.

I call upon you to immediately reject the naming of LCS-10 for yourself, and instead call for LCS-10 to be the USS Matthew Axelson and the following LCS-11 to be the USS Danny Dietz. Please do the right thing. As a former member of Congress and the spouse of a sailor, I hope you can find the consideration to yield for the families of those two brave men, and for all of the brave who fought along side of them.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Allan Bourdius
Gibsonia, PA

(This letter was delivered via Twitter and Facebook links)


UPDATE 11:05 2/11: Just to show that this isn't an "anti-Democrat" rant, because it is not, there's another living Democrat politician who is 1000x more worthy of having a ship named for them. He was Lieutenant Junior Grade Joseph R. Kerrey, a SEAL during Vietnam, better known today as Bob Kerrey, the former Governor of, and United States Senator from, Nebraska.