Poindexter Dons Civvies for Hearings as Symbol of Job

Former National Security Adviser John M. Poindexter said today he decided not to follow Oliver L. North’s lead in donning a medal-bedecked uniform for the Iran- contra hearings, because he makes a distinction between “the two hats I wore.”

Poindexter, a Navy rear admiral who resigned under pressure as President Reagan’s national security adviser when the Iran-contra scandal came to light last November, appeared at the hearings today in a civilian suit.

“I’m very proud of my uniform. I’m very proud of the United States Navy, but this issue is not a Navy issue,” Poindexter said.

“When the President decided in December, 1985, to appoint me as the national security adviser, he gave me a separate commission, essentially as a political appointee. . . .

“All during my time as national security adviser, I tried to make a clear distinction between the two hats that I wore, one national security adviser, the other a vice admiral in the United States Navy,” he told the committees.

“Because these hearings are basically on issues that I handled as national security adviser I chose to appear here in civilian clothes.”

North, a Marine lieutenant colonel who was fired from his job as a National Security Council aide on the day that Poindexter resigned, wore a crisp Marine uniform, his chest emblazoned with six rows of ribbons, during each of his six days testifying before the committees.

Poindexter was reduced in rank from vice admiral to rear admiral when he left the White House.