William G. Boykin
William Gerald Boykin | |
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Other work | Professor: Hampden–Sydney College Executive Vice President: Family Research Council |
William Gerald "Jerry" Boykin (born April 19, 1948) is a retired American
Early life
William Gerald "Jerry" Boykin was born on April 19, 1948, in
Military career
As a young officer, he served in the
Lieutenant Colonel Lewis H. "Bucky" Burruss, who helped with Delta Force selection in early 1978, recalled that Boykin "had a bad knee and I thought he would never make it....I thought, I hate to see this guy busting his [butt], I don't see how he can make it on this bad road wheel, but he surprised us." Burruss wrote at the time that "Jerry Boykin is a Christian gentleman of the highest order." Boykin believed God had a hand in things: "God led me into the Delta Force....And He said to me, 'This is where you ought to be.'"[5]
In 1980, he was the Delta Force operations officer on the April 24–25 Iranian hostage rescue attempt. Boykin called it "the greatest disappointment of my professional career because we didn't bring home 53 Americans."[7] Despite this, his "faith was strengthened" believing he had witnessed "a miracle": "Not one man who stood with us in the desert and pleaded for God to go with us was killed or even injured that night."[5]
In October 1983, Boykin took part in
In April 1993, Boykin helped advise Attorney General Janet Reno regarding the stand-off at Waco, Texas, between the federal government and the Branch Davidians.[1]
In October 1993, Boykin fought in the Battle of Mogadishu (1993), also referred to as "Black Hawk Down".[1]
Some time afterwards, Boykin served at the
From 1998 to 2000, he served as the commanding general,
Post-retirement
Boykin retired on August 1, 2007, and began teaching at Hampden–Sydney College.[2] In May 2016, he wrote on Facebook, "I have been terminated from teaching at Hampden-Sydney College after nine years there," though he and the college later reached agreement on another one-year contract. The college denied it had conducted a campaign to fire Boykin following his recent comments about transgender people using bathrooms, including, "The first man who goes in the restroom with my daughter will not have to worry about surgery."[10][11]
On July 16, 2012, Family Research Council president Tony Perkins announced that Boykin had been named the group's Executive Vice-president.[12]
Awards and decorations
Boykin attended
Personal views
2003 speech controversy
Boykin, a
In an October 2003 speech to a community church in Oregon, Boykin was recorded stating that Islamic extremists hate the United States "because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and our roots are Judeo-Christians. ... And the enemy is a guy named Satan."[13][14] William Arkin, military analyst for NBC News,[15] was the source of the video and audiotapes of Boykin. The following day the Los Angeles Times ran a piece on Boykin. Among several quotes, the article revealed Boykin giving a speech about hunting down Osman Atto in Mogadishu: "He went on CNN and he laughed at us, and he said, 'They'll never get me because Allah will protect me. Allah will protect me.' Well, you know what? I knew that my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol."[16] Boykin later said that he was implying that Atto's true "god" was money.[17]
Boykin's remarks were denounced—Arab and Muslim organizations within the US were highly critical of the comments.
President George W. Bush distanced himself from the statements, saying that Boykin didn't "reflect my point of view or the point of view of this administration."[22] Donald Rumsfeld defended Boykin, describing him as "an officer that has an outstanding record in the United States armed forces", and that the War on Terrorism was "not a war against a religion".[23]
Marine General Peter Pace, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Boykin was later "sad...that his comments created the fury they had," and expressed his belief that Boykin "does not see this battle as a battle between religions; he sees this as a battle between good and evil, the evil being the acts of individuals."[24]
Boykin issued a public statement: "My comments to Osman Otto in Mogadishu were not referencing his worship of Allah but his worship of money and power; idolatry. He was a corrupt man, not a follower of Islam. My references to Judeo-Christian roots in America or our nation as a Christian nation are historically undeniable."[17] CNN later revealed that several parts of his statement were removed on the advice of Pentagon attorneys. Among the parts removed was Boykin's assertion that "the sensitivities of my job today dictate that further church speeches are inappropriate", and "As a Christian, I believe that there is a spiritual war that is continuous as articulated in the Bible. It is not confined to the war of terrorism."[25]
Boykin then requested an investigation by an
Other comments and activities
On September 26, 2009, Boykin gave an address at a How to Take Back America Conference in
In 2010, Boykin was one of two "team leaders" of Team B II which released a report entitled
Boykin is listed as a board member of The Oak Initiative, a conservative Christian group that describes itself as "a grassroots movement to Unite, Mobilize, Equip, and Activate Christians to be the salt and light they are called to be by engaging in the great issues of our time from a sound biblical worldview."[33] Other board members include Rick Joyner, founder of Morningstar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries; and Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition.
Boykin is listed as the Grand Chancellor of the Knights Hospitallers of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, a self-styled order of chivalry claiming relation to the historical Knights Hospitaller.[34]
In January 2013, the retired general received a letter of reprimand from then-Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army Lloyd Austin for disclosing classified information in his book Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom.[35]
In February 2014, Boykin said in a speech that he believed that
In another 2014 speech, Boykin said Jews are the "cause of all the problems in the world", which the Southern Poverty Law Center characterized as "an awkward attempt at humor". During that speech, he also asserted President Barack Obama had sent "subliminal messages" to Muslims during his 2009 A New Beginning speech in Cairo.[38]
During the 2016 presidential election campaign, Boykin first advised Sen. Ted Cruz.[39] Then, on September 6, 2016, he endorsed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.[40]
Boykin has endorsed the conspiracy theory that the 2020 presidential election was rigged to favor Joe Biden and claims that the United States "has taken a hard left turn toward Socialism and a Marxist form of tyrannical government."[41][42]
On April 11, 2021, Boykin was one of 124 retired U.S. military
War on Terror tactics
A December 9, 2003, item in
In 2003,
In 2005, Hersh claimed that the U.S. had begun to undertake secret, off-the-books, covert missions in Iran to identify key targets for possible strikes in destabilizing its nuclear facilities, and against the larger War on Terror, with the chain of command for the commando operations falling to Rumsfeld, Cambone, and Boykin.[50]
Books
- Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Legislation: Why Was It Passed and Have the Voids Been Filled ? (Report). US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks. 1991. OCLC 36734112.
- Boykin, William G.; Vincent, Lynn (2008). Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom. FaithWords. ISBN 978-0446582155.
- Team B II (2010). ISBN 978-0982294765.
- Boykin, William G.; Morrisey, Tom (2011). Kiloton Threat: A Novel. B&H. ISBN 978-0805449549.
- Boykin, Jerry; Saleem, Kamal (2014). The Coalition: A Novel. Post Hill. ISBN 978-1618689498.
- The Tiger Team (2015). ISBN 978-1507756133.
- Boykin, Jerry; Weber, Stu (2015). The Warrior Soul: Five Powerful Principles to Make You a Stronger Man of God. Charisma House. ISBN 978-1629980164.
- Boykin, William G.; Morrisey, Tom (2019). Danger Close: A Novel. Fidelis. ISBN 978-0805449556.
- Boykin, William G.; Gilbert, Lela (2020). Man to Man: Rediscovering Masculinity in a Challenging World. Post Hill. ISBN 978-1642933680.
- Boykin, W.G. "Jerry"; Joyner, Rick (2022). The Principles of War. MorningStar. ISBN 978-1607086680.
- Boykin, Jerry; Cureton, Kenyn (2022). Strong and Courageous: A Call to Biblical Manhood. Fidelis. ISBN 978-1736620687.
References
- ^ a b c Thompson, Mark (October 27, 2003). "The Boykin affair: A long career of marching with the cross". Time. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ a b "Professorships". Hampden–Sydney College. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022.
- ^ "Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin Joins Family Research Council As Executive Vice President (press release)". Family Research Council. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ISBN 9781851095131– via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Leiby, Richard (November 6, 2003). "Christian Soldier". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 13, 2004.
- ^ a b "Informa Connect - Know more, do more, be more" (PDF). Informa Connect. Archived from the original on December 2, 2007.
- ^ Garamone, Jim. "America remembers Desert One heroes". American Forces Press Service. Archived from the original on July 23, 2006.
- ^ Charisma magazine, January 2015 pp49-56
- ^ a b Hersh, Seymour (December 15, 2003). "Moving Targets". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009.
- ^ Beaujon, Andrew (May 23, 2016). "The Real Story Behind Hampden-Sydney "Firing" the General Who Joked About Threatening Trans People". Washingtonian. Archived from the original on May 24, 2016.
- ^ "Hampden-Sydney 'is changing' says professor terminated after 'bathroom bill' comments". WTVR. May 19, 2016.
- ^ "Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin Joins Family Research Council As Executive Vice President" (Press release). Christian Newswire. July 16, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ a b Cooper, Richard (October 16, 2003). "General Casts War in Religious Terms". The Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Burns, Robert (February 11, 2009). "General Faulted For Satan Speeches". CBS News.
- ^ "William M. Arkin Biography". The Washington Post. February 13, 2007.
- ^ Arkin, William M. (October 16, 2003). "The Pentagon Unleashes a Holy Warrior". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ a b "General explains statements criticized by Muslims". CNN. October 17, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ a b "General William Boykin: Words of Faith". PBS Newshour. October 21, 2003. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "US is 'battling Satan' says general". BBC News. October 17, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "And He's Head of Intelligence?". MSN. Newsweek. October 19, 2003. Archived from the original on October 31, 2005.
- ^ "H.RES.419 – Condemning religiously intolerant remarks and calling on the President to clearly censure and reassign Lieutenant General Boykin for his religiously intolerant remarks. (Introduced in House – IH)". THOMAS (Library of Congress). October 28, 2003. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "Bush renews rebuke of Boykin". Washington Times. October 28, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "Rumsfeld Defends General Who Commented on War and Satan". CNN. Associated Press. October 17, 2003. Archived from the original on February 2, 2004.
- ^ a b "General Faulted For Satan Speeches". CBS News. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on November 19, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "Pentagon deleted part of official's apology". CNN. October 20, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ Jehl, Douglas (March 4, 2005). "Report Urged Action Against General for Speeches". The New York Times.
- ^ Smith, R. Jeffrey; White, Josh (August 19, 2004). "General's Speeches Broke Rules". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "Alleged Improprieties Related to Public Speaking: Lieutenant General William G. Boykin U.S. Army Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Case Number H03L89967206" (PDF). Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. August 5, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
- ^ Montopoli, Brian (September 28, 2009). "Conservatives Fight "Homosexual Extremist Movement"". CBS News. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- JSTOR 26297006.
- ^ a b c Priest, Dana; Arkin, William (December 22, 2010). "Monitoring America". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010.
- OCLC 695588695.
- ^ "Board Members". The Oak Initiative. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "Grand Chancellor". theknightshospitallers.org. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017.
- ^ Lamothe, Dan. "Retired generals endorsing Trump include one reprimanded for disclosing classified information". Washington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ "Matthew 10:34 - The Sword of the Gospel". Bible Hub. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ Bleier, Evan (February 20, 2014). "Former U.S. general: When Jesus comes back, he'll be carrying an AR-15". UPI.
- ^ "The Real Story Behind Hampden-Sydney "Firing" the General Who Joked About Threatening Trans People". May 23, 2016.
- ^ Allen, Jonathan (March 17, 2016). "Presidential candidate Cruz appoints Islam critics as advisers". Reuters. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ Reinhard, Beth (September 6, 2016). "Donald Trump Receives Endorsement of 88 Military Leaders". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Bender, Bryan (May 11, 2021). "'Disturbing and Reckless': Retired Brass Spread Election Lie in Attack on Biden, Democrats". Politico. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Open Letter from Retired Generals and Admirals" (PDF). Flag Officers 4 America. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ Bostock, Bill (May 12, 2021). "More than 120 retired generals and admirals wrote to Biden appearing to back a false election conspiracy and questioning his mental health". Business Insider. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "120 Ex-Military Leaders Pen Letter Warning of Deep National Perils, Biden's Lack of Fitness". WBAP News-Talk. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ Schmitt, Eric; Marshall, Carolyn (March 19, 2006). "In Secret Unit's 'Black Room,' a Grim Portrait of U.S. Abuse". The New York Times.
- ^ Borger, Julian (December 9, 2003). "Israel trains US assassination squads in Iraq". The Guardian. London. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ Blumenthal, Sidney (May 19, 2004). "The religious warrior of Abu Ghraib". The Guardian. London. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ Smith, Mick (February 12, 2006). "Donald Rumsfeld's New Killer Elite". Times Online. Archived from the original on June 9, 2009.
- ^ Ramadani, Sami (February 8, 2006). "Iraq invasion deception increasingly shapes coverage of occupation". The Guardian. London. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ Hersh, Seymour M. (January 24, 2005). "The Coming Wars". The New Yorker. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
External links
- William G. Boykin on Twitter
- Appearances on C-SPAN