A high UK Colonel has taken intention at Prince Harry after the Royal was named a ‘Living Legend of Aviation’.
Colonel Richard Kemp feels that such a praise to the Royal is a ‘snub’ to military pilots who achieved extra. The Duke of Sussex was awarded ‘Living Legend of Aviation’ award by John Travolta at a ceremony held in Beverly Hills, California, on Friday (January 19).
And the Duke is in good acclaimed firm after being honoured yesterday, with the well-known astranoauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong have been awarded the identical prize after their profitable moon touchdown.
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Colonel Richard Kemp, who’s now retired thinks that Harry is underserving of the honour as his army achievements do not make the grade in his eyes. In an unique interview with the Sun he stated: “I can understand why it’s happening. It’s all obviously about publicity.
“He’s a star and a really well-known particular person, and naturally it offers publicity to this award and the folks which can be selling it. But there are lots of folks in Afghanistan, Iraq. Syria, probably even preventing now in towards the terrorism in Yemen.
“A large number of military pilots, helicopter and fixed wing aircraft have carried out some extraordinary feats of valor and phenomenal aviation that I’m afraid Harry didn’t do.”
During his time within the forces the Duke racked up two excursions of Afghanistan as a ahead air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot totalling a mixed two years of service, he additionally accomplished a lot of coaching missions within the UK, US and Australia. The colonel continued his criticism of Harry: “He was a gunner in an Apache helicopter in Afghanistan however so have been many, many different folks.
(Image: PA)
“An Apache is crewed by two people – a pilot and a gunner. Harry was a gunner. He was number two in the aircraft. I can think of many people who did pretty extraordinary things while serving in the British and American armed forces which would be much more deserving of an award like this.”
Harry is just not the one one set to be topped with the identical award this yr, US Navy pilot Fred George and former pace file holder Steve Hinton are additionally set to obtain the gong.
(Image: Getty Images)
Col Kemp added: “If Harry had done anything comparable to some of the people who… did some incredible things I’m sure we would have heard about it. So I think there are many more worthy recipients of such an award from the military world than Prince Harry.”
“Many military people who are aware of the feats of aviation of people in the armed forces over several recent years will be disappointed. But it really shows in my view, this cheapens this award. I’m sure it’s been awarded in the past. Many with very worthy recipients who have done some incredible things.
“But if you merely give it to any person on the idea of their celeb standing, it actually does undermine the entire foundation of this award
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