Oliver North shredding government documents related to these activities at William Casey's suggestion when the Iran-Contra scandal became public. He also testified that Robert McFarlane had asked him to alter official records to delete references to direct assistance to the Contras and that he had helped. North was tried in 1988. He was indicted on 16 felony counts, and on May 4, 1989, he was initially convicted of three: accepting an illegal gratuity, aiding and abetting in the obstruction of a congressional inquiry, and ordering the destruction of documents through his secretary, Fawn Hall. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gerhard
Oliver S. Picher promotion March 8, 1952 to major general. He again returned to Washington and became Assistant for Programming under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. In June 1955 he was appointed Director of Strategic Plans for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was promoted to lieutenant general April 1, 1958 and selected for the position of Director of the Joint Staff. He retired on May 11, 1960. Picher's awards and decorations included the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four clusters and ten campaign medals. Oliver S.