Amid allegations from at least 17 women who accused him of sexual assault, The U.S. Navy revoked an honorary title they gave Bill Cosby in 2011.
“The Navy is taking this action because allegations against Mr. Cosby are very serious and are in conflict with the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said the December 4, 2014 Navy announcement of the revocation.
Cosby’s lawyer has called the claims made by alleged victims “unsubstantiated, fantastical stories.” Cosby has not faced any civil or criminal charges in connection with any of the alleged incidents, his attorney said.
Cosby achieved the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer when he served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman from 1956 to 1960. He was honorably discharged.
Cosby was presented with the honorary title of Chief Petty Officer in 2011.
Netflix previously announced it would postpone, and later cancel, the comedian’s debut special on the streaming service. Some venues have cancelled or postponed live stand-up performances. Cosby resigned in November 2014 as honorary co-chair of the capital campaign for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and from the board of trustees of Temple University.
