Records Say Bush Balked at Order (washingtonpost.com)
Key papers concerning Bush’s (lack of)military service have been published. His CO, Lt.Col. Jerry Killian, is quoted as suspending young George from flying due to “failure to perform” and “failure to take his annual physical as ordered”. Killian also seems to have been concerned about the lad’s skiving and pressure apparently placed on him to let Bush off.
“In another “memo to file,” dated Aug. 18, 1973, Killian complained that he was under pressure from his superior, Col. Walter B. “Buck” Staudt, to “sugar coat” Bush’s officer evaluations. “I’m having trouble running interference and doing my job,” he wrote in a memo titled “CYA.[CYA=Cover your ass. ed]” “I will not rate.”
Heh heh heh heh heh…..in fact, here’s a killer quote from the text.
“1. Staudt [the big boss] has obviously pressured Hodges more about Bush. I’m having trouble running interference and doing my job. Harris gave me a message today from Grp regarding Bush’s OETR and Staudt is pushing to sugar coat it. Bush wasn’t here during rating period and I don’t have any feedback from 187th in Alabama.”