(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121113-william-kip-ward-kb-1110a.photoblog600.jpg)Fethi Belaid / AFP - Getty Images fileU.S. General William 'Kip' Ward speaks to reporters in Tunis in 2008.By Jeff Black, NBC NewsA four-star general who formerly led the U.S. Africa Command has been demoted after accusations that he spent thousands of dollars on lavish travel, NBC News reported.
A senior defense official told NBC News that Gen. William "Kip" Ward was stripped of a star, and will be allowed to retire as a three-star lieutenant general.
According to a Defense Department Inspector General’s Report (http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/z-pdf-archive/WardROI_Redacted.pdf)released in August, Ward took an 11-day trip to Washington and Atlanta, costing $129,000, in which only three days of the trip were official business. The military charged that Ward extended trips seven times for personal reasons and claimed and received reimbursement for expenses.
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I think the demotion is a justified one
It will serve as a lesson to others