Secretary of Offence and Minister of War David Horton

General Information

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David William Horton (born 24 August, 1963) is a Pacifican politician who currently serves as the Secretary of Offense and Reserve Minister of War since 20 September, 2021.

Horton was born on 24 August, 1963 in Smithton, Jenson Park. He graduated from the Pacifican Air Force Academy in 1986.

Early Life

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David William Horton was born on 24 August, 1963 at the Jenson Park Primary Medical Centre in Smithton, the capital of the Jenson Park Province.

Education
Horton attended local schools in Jenson Park throughout his youth and went to the Vincent Jenson Military Preparatory Academy before commissioning through the Pacifican Air Force Academy.

Personal Life

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After graduating from the Pacifican Air Force Academy, Horton immediately commissioned in the United Provincial Air Force, his first command was as a public affairs officer in the Capital Province, there he met his wife Anne who was one of his fellow officers.

Secretary of Offence and Minister of War

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Organisation

Armed Forces Budget
Since taking office, Horton has not made any major strides to adjust the budget of the United Provincial Armed Forces. He has stated that the Armed Forces deserve the "highest budget the Government can give it", however has expressed his desire for the budget to be used for other, "more critical", departments first.

United Provincial Army

United Provincial Navy

United Provincial Air Force
Hailing from the United Provincial Air Force, Horton has shown great support to the Air Force, however he has also openly declined to show favouritism towards it.

Conflicts
Since Horton took office in 2021, the Nation has not experienced any major direct conflicts.

Growing Chinese Conflict
Horton has increasingly pushed for increased Naval presence around the Chinese Mainland.

Russo-Ukrainian War

Cultural and political image

Image
Horton is the first Air Force Secretary of Offence since Marshal Benjamin Lipinski from 1973 until 1979. His selection is considered to be a symbol that the Nation is beginning to consider the Air Force more heavily in Armed Forces affairs.

Foreign perceptions
Due to Horton's National Defence priority and strategy, foreign nations have stated that he will likely push for the Country to betray allies and refuse any Call to Arms.

Public Appearances
Horton tours military bases throughout the Country and has visited the Arzni Air Base on the anniversaries of the Missile Strikes every year since taking office.

Commander-in-Chief Nomination
On 2 April, 2023, Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force George Nicholas stated that he would prefer Horton to be his successor, Horton stated he "would love to", however this would place strain on the Armed Forces as it would require a replacement for Horton's current position as the Minister of War. Currently, the expectation is that if Nicholas retires, Horton would take his office and Undersecretary Sevigne would take Horton's current office.

Military Career

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Assignments

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Public Affairs Officer
Initial duty assignment.
(1 July, 1986)

Capital Garrison Public Affairs Office, Officer in Charge

(8 March, 1990)

Capital Garrison Flight Commander

(17 July, 1992)

Grand Palace Public Affairs Flight Commander

(14 August, 1996)

Liaison Officer to the European Union

(1 January, 1998)

Liaison Officer to the United Nations
His most notable assignment, Horton volunteered for an assignment with the United Nations building in New York City and was accepted to go.
(1 January, 2000)

No official assignment
Due to the attacks on 11 September, all United Provincial Armed Forces were evacuated from New York City.
(17 September, 2001)

Chief Liaison Officer to the European Union
Special request by European Union leadership and the concurrence of the Chief Enlisted Liaison to the European Union.
(1 January, 2002)

Commander of the Lazouelle Expeditionary Base Wing
Normal progressive assignment
He was assigned here until the base shut down in 2004
(6 November, 2002)

Commander of the Gevardi Expeditionary Base Wing
Normal assignment
He was assigned here until the base shut down in 2007
(1 January, 2004)

Commander of the Jentren Air Base Wing
Selected at his request and the concurrence of the Americana West Regional Commander
(1 January, 2007)

Commander of Pacific Air Forces over Europe
Special request by the Senate with concurrence from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force.
(17 March, 2010)

Joint Armed Forces Commander with the United States
Special request by the United States Secretary of Defence.
(8 January, 2012)

Commander of Pacific Air Forces over Europe
The United States Department of Defence decided to request the appointment of Senior Commodore Johnathan Hamir and chose to dismiss Horton. Senate arranged appointment of Horton as Commander of Pacific Air Forces over Europe and advised a promotion in compensation for "rude and sudden dismissal despite extraordinary performance".
(22 January, 2015)

Commander of Expeditionary Air Forces
Selected by the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force with concurrence from the High Council.
(10 June, 2017)

Secretary of Offence and Minister of War
Marshal Horton took the office of Secretary of Offence and Minister of War after Terry Jones's sudden resignation.
(20 September, 2021)

Dates of Ranks

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Marshal of the Air Force
Marshal Horton was nominated to be Marshal of the Air Force after suddenly taking the office of Secretary of Offence and Minister of War.
(20 September, 2021)

Marshal
Horton was promoted to Marshal when he took command of the Expeditionary Air Forces of the Provincial Union. Official memorandum for his selection states: "Marshal Horton has proven himself well above what is expected of him by our Nation, he deserves every command he is nominated for and, based on his history, will only improve our Expeditionary Air Forces".
(10 June, 2017)

Lieutenant Marshal
Resumed appointment as Commander of Pacific Air Forces over Europe following increased troop presence.
(22 January, 2015)

Senior Commodore
Selected for appointment as Joint Armed Forces Commander with the United States
(8 January, 2012)

Air Commodore
Arranged in advance for his assignment as Commander of Pacific Air Forces over Europe
(17 March, 2010)

Colonel
Arranged in advance for his assignment as Commander of the Jentren Air Base Wing
(12 April, 2006)

Lieutenant Colonel
Selected for promotion following his actions while in New York City on 11 September, 2001.
(7 June, 2002)

Major
Selected for promotion after masterminding the resolution of several budgetary crises despite not being directly in charge of said crises.
(15 October, 1996)

Captain
Selected for promotion due to his continued positive service to the United Provincial Air Force.
(1 July, 1992)

Flight Lieutenant
Promoted following three years of service with the United Provincial Air Force.
(1 July, 1989)

Lieutenant
Received when originally commissioned.
(1 July, 1986)

Notable Awards
Star of Liberty
Official Memorandum for the Awarding of the Star of Liberty to Major David William Horton,
Heard in Parliament, 17 January, 2002

"

On the Eleventh of September, Two-thousand and One, Major David William Horton was serving his normal duties in the United Nations Headquarters Building in New York City. His day started as a normal Tuesday; he came in at 08:00 and worked for around forty five minutes when he states that he heard a loud crash outside, Horton investigated the crash and saw a large plume of smoke in the New York skyline. It was at this point that he saw a second aircraft fly by him and heard a second crash, he then decided that it was within his duty to investigate the crash and rescue any possible survivors. Upon arriving to the towers, Major Horton began assisting American first responders to recover civilians from the rubble and debris of the building and plane on the ground before he decided to go into the building to assist inside.

As debris and wreckage continued to decimate the area around Major Horton, he continued returning inside and carrying individuals to safety until he was barred from reentry into the building by New York Police on the ground.

His torn and burned uniform stands as a symbol to the imperviousness of the Pacifican Spirit and the Spirit of Major David William Horton.

To address the Rescue of Life or Values: Major David William Horton has been recognised, and confirmed, by American First Responders as singlehandedly rescuing or assisting several dozen civilians of the World Trade Center buildings to escape to safety.

To address the Threat to his own Life or Safety: Major David William Horton narrowly evaded death when American First Responders refused to allow him to return into the building only minutes before it collapsed.

To address Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: The duty to secure the Life and Liberty of citizens of the Provincial Union does not extend to foreign nationals, therefore the rescue of American Citizens is not within the Call of Duty. In addition, Major Horton was not trained in combat rescue and is not expected to conduct such actions as recovery in the midst of such chaos which resulted in the deaths of nearly three thousand unarmed and innocent civilians. Additionally, Major Horton charged into ground zero with no form of protection to himself aside from his Class B uniform which is designed for an office environment, therefore he was completely exposed to the dangers and threats of area that he was entering and leaving.

To address the Intent of Heroism: Major David William Horton entered the World Trade Center several times without knowing what dangers were ahead of him, he did not know if he was going to leave the building each time that he went in to rescue survivors.

To address the Correct Identification: Major David William Horton was able to be selected from groups of his fellow servicemembers by American First Responders and at least 27 survivors of the event.

The United Provincial Air Force believes Major David William Horton has exemplified what it means to serve in the United Provincial Armed Forces and stands as the epitome of deserving this Nation's highest award.

It is along with the nomination for his reception of the Star of Liberty, our Nation's highest honour, that we requested, and had approved, the pardon of Major Horton abandoning his post within the United Nations Headquarters and disobedience to the orders directed for him to stay indoors. The pardon has been approved and recognised by the United Provincial Air Force and his Military Command Chain.

Signed,
James Atkins
Commander-in-Chief of the
United Provincial Aerial Forces of the
Provincial Union

and

Sponsored,
Colonel Edward Maneli
Commander, UPAF
Prov. Un. Liaison Office
United Nations Building
New York City, NY, USA

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The nomination was approved by Parliament narrowly with a 252 vote majority, he then received the Star of Liberty from the King of the Provincial Union.

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