I believe you are referring to GEN Carter Ham, who was the AFRICOM commander at the time. Speculation is that he was spinning up the rescue attempt in defiance of orders from Panetta to stand down and was summarily relieved. Ham was nearing mandatory retirement anyway and was due to step down, which gives Obama and Panetta cover. He should be brought before committee to confirm or deny the rescue attempt and the details, if applicable.
Bingo...You’re right...Now I remember the name, thanks for the reminder...
There were accounts of General Ham being relieved but, I believe, he is still the commandant of Africom.
I don’t know where all the buzz arose at the time of the attack. It sounded reasonable to me that BO would relieve anyone who spoke up against him. Now we know, the CinC wasn’t present when the attacks were going on....nor after, as he was in LV.