Illinois Senate race: “Mob Banker” who never served attacks decorated naval officer’s distinguished service record

Below you'll find the latest statement from the Mark Kirk campaign regarding his military record--one which he should look at with pride. A few things I'd like to add. The Highland Park Republican was the Intelligence Team Leader for Electronic Attack Wing Aviano (Italy) during the 1999 Kosovo campaign--which ended successfully with no US or NATO combat deaths. Operation Allied Force stopped the ethnic cleansing operation run by thug leader Slobodan Milošević. Kirk's team was the recipient of the Rufus Taylor Award--and Kirk was the leader of that team.

Alexi Giannoulias, the Chicago Democrat and "Mob Banker," is hurling cheap shots at the candidate who leads in the public opinion polls.

Fact Checks on the Giannoulias-Provided Story:

#1: Giannoulias Provided Story Diminishes Kirk's Outstanding Service

First, the Giannoulias-provided story diminishes Kirk's Kosovo service by describing him only as "the intelligence officer for a single squadron at Aviano." In fact, Kirk took charge of four squadrons and served as the lead officer for a combined intelligence team – the largest EA-6B intelligence shop in the history of naval aviation. (Source: Officer Fitness Reports; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Citation)

#2: Giannoulias Provided Story Diminishes Kirk's Distinguished Award

Second, the Giannoulias-provided story incorrectly suggests that the Rufus Taylor Intelligence Award is a non-Navy award. In fact, the "United States Navy Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor Intelligence Award" is nominated and selected by the Navy, and then presented by the National Military Intelligence Association. (Source: Navy Reserve Intelligence Command Award Manual)

#3: Giannoulias Provided Story Presents False Award Comparison

Third, the Giannoulias-provided story and other news outlets have incorrectly suggested that the Rufus Taylor Intelligence Award is less distinguished than a different award called the "Junior Officer of the Year Award." In fact, both awards are nominated and selected by top Navy Reserve Intelligence Command officials. You cannot be accused of exaggerating something when there's nothing to exaggerate. The two awards in question are equal in stature. (Source: Navy Reserve Intelligence Command Award Manual)

#4: Giannoulias Provided Story Suggests Kirk Did Not Earn Award

Fourth, the Giannoulias-provided story inaccurately suggests that Kirk did not personally earn the Rufus Taylor award since it was presented to a unit. In fact, the "unit" that received the award was an ad-hoc intelligence team that Mark Kirk established and ran to support Electronic Attack air combat operations during Kosovo. Kirk was presented with the award at the National Military Intelligence Association's annual awards banquet. (Sources: Award Ceremony Photo; Officer Fitness Reports; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Citation)

The Real Facts Are Clear

In 1999, Mark Kirk was the Intelligence Team Leader for Electronic Attack Wing Aviano during Operation Allied Force. In December of that year, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his service.

In 2000, Kirk and his team were recipients of the Rufus Taylor Intelligence Award - a distinguished national award for which the Navy selects one winner every year – which "commemorates the exceptional achievements of an outstanding Naval Intelligence career professional."

As leader of the team that received an annual Navy intelligence professional award, Kirk incorrectly referred to himself as the "Intelligence Officer of the Year," a term which can be associated with the Navy Reserve Intelligence "Junior Officer of the Year Award." Since both awards carry equal distinction, this is a case of misidentification and not exaggeration. You can learn more about the awards here.

Mark Kirk and his team rightly earned the Rufus Taylor Award and their service should not be diminished. Kirk's former Commanding Officer says he was "proud to nominate Mark Kirk" for the award – and called Kirk "the best intelligence officer" he ever served with. See statement.

How Does Alexi Giannoulias Compare to Mark Kirk?

While Mark Kirk has served in the Navy Reserve for 20 years, Alexi Giannoulias never served in the military.

While Mark Kirk was running intelligence support for electronic attack combat missions in Operation Allied Force (Kosovo), Alexi Giannoulias was playing basketball in Greece. (Washington Post WhoRunsGov.com). In brief, while Mark Kirk wore a U.S. Navy uniform, Alexi Giannoulias wore a basketball uniform in Greece.

While Mark Kirk was supporting electronic attack missions over Iraq, Alexi Giannoulias was partying in New Orleans at Tulane Law School. (Washington Post WhoRunsGov.com)

While Mark Kirk was serving in the National Military Command Center without any pay, Alexi Giannoulias was making loans to organized crime leaders (Chicago Tribune, 4/1/2010) and pushing risky banking schemes that brought down his family bank. (New York Times, 1/30/2010)

While Mark Kirk was serving in Afghanistan, Alexi Giannoulias was covering up the millions of dollars he wiped out in the Bright Start college savings program. (Chicago Tribune, 12/23/2009)

Mark Kirk's military service should not be denigrated by a 34-year-old media-dubbed "mob banker" who has never served our country in uniform, whose reckless lending practices cost the FDIC $394 million when they closed his family bank (FDIC, 4/23/2010), and whose risky investments cost Illinois families tens of millions in losses from the state’s college savings fund. (Chicago Tribune, 12/23/2009)

Here's some more information I discovered:

Mark Kirk's Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal Official Citation:

For meritorious service while serving as aviation intelligence officer for Electronic Attack Squadron Two Zero Nine from 10 April to 6 June 1999. Lieutenant Commander Kirk was singularly responsible for the flawless production, integration and operation of the largest EA-6B intelligence shop in the history of naval aviation. His keen analysis, far-reaching intelligence gathering network and concise and complete flight briefing proved instrumental in the successful suppression of enemy air defense mission during Operation Allied Force. He took charge of four deployed squadron's intelligence assets and personnel and forged them into an outstanding intelligence shop. He quickly recognized and envisioned the optimum means of supplying over 80 aviators with the necessary real-time intelligence updates. He trained, mentored, groomed and motivated 4 Intel Officers and 12 Intel Specialists into a valuable combat intel action team that supported combat flight operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing over 150 combat flight intel briefings. Lieutenant Commander Kirk's initiative, perseverance, and loyal devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

You can view the citation here.

Several times Kirk's Officer Fitness Reports were referred to in the Kirk campaign statement. Here are some excerpts from them:

Personally recognized by numerous Flag, Air Wing, and Squadron Commanders for providing the most comprehensive, concise Balkan intelligence picture in EUCOM Theater.

And...

The Intelligence Team Leader for Electronic Attack Wing Aviano. Took charge of four deployed EA-6B squadron's intelligence assets, melding them into an action team supporting combat operations on a 24-hour basis…

As well as...

Set the standard for tactical intelligence briefs providing over 80 aircrew with the most current, up to date and analytical briefings that NATO had to offer. His tremendous contributions guaranteed the success of VAQ-209 during Operation Allied Force.” Read the Fitness Reports here.

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