Controversy arose at the U.S. Air Force Academy over the decision not to posthumously honor Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, who was tragically killed in a public event. Despite efforts from some quarters, the Academy’s Association of Graduates (AOG) decided against granting Kirk any posthumous recognitions.
Charlie Kirk was shot on September 10 while addressing a large audience at Utah Valley University, an incident that provoked varied reactions largely divided along political lines. The AOG released a statement thanking the individuals who provided feedback on the matter, saying, “The AOG Board, serving as the governing body of the Association, took the thoughtful feedback received into account.”
The suggestions to honor Kirk included a motion to posthumously award him an honorary degree and to recognize him as an Honorary Member of the Association of Graduates. However, these motions did not proceed further, as stated by the AOG, “The Honorary Member and honorary degree motions concerning Mr. Kirk were withdrawn.”
These proposals were discussed after being put forth by board members during the Oct. 17 Board of Directors meeting, which attracted significant attention from Air Force Academy alumni and family members. Kirk, at the time of his death, served as a presidential appointee to the Academy Board of Visitors.
Contentious Views
Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, a retired Air Force veteran, was noted as introducing the motions, as per another veteran, Marty France. France criticized the proposals, highlighting Kirk’s controversial past statements. “What he does have is a long record of racist and sexist statements, though. These are well-documented on thousands of sites and not worth rehashing,” France commented in a Substack post.
France pointed out a particularly contentious comment by Kirk regarding Black pilots, stating, “If I see a Black pilot, I’m gonna be like, ‘Boy, I hope he’s qualified.'” France also emphasized Kirk’s lack of qualifications to be involved with the Academy Board of Visitors. “That’s a funny statement coming from someone who had no qualifications to be a member of the USAFA Board of Visitors—overseeing an institution that has probably produced more qualified pilots, of all races, than any other school in the nation,” he added.
The Academy’s bylaws allow for a nominee to be considered twice for votes, leaving open the possibility of future nominations. However, France expressed confidence that any further attempts would not succeed, stating, “They may try again, but I’m confident they’ll lose.”
