Womens History Month
By not ignoring 50% of the talent pool, we’ve got to beat the Islamofascists.
Never argue with a woman with a firearm.
Posted by MAJ Mike
03/01/2007 at 06:26 PM
Simply Outstanding?
Question? Has anyone been awarded the Medal of Honor since we invaded Iraq, that’s still alive. All the information I could find is that it’s been only one Soldier and Marine who’ve died in action. Surely their has to be a living recipient of The Medal from this war.
Not yet BobF, but perhaps some DSC’s will be upgraded. Marine Capt. Brian Chontosh comes to mind.
Here’s a litle known heroine, Virginia Hall, who risked her life for years in Nazi occupied France working for the OSS, and when offered a chance to be decorated by President Truman, chose to stay anonymous in order to better do her job.
http://www.64-baker-street.org/agents/agent_others_virginia_hall.html
The was against terrorism has been going on for over 4 years now. Billions of dollars have been spent and over 3,000 of America’s finest have given the ultimate sacrifice and the Pentagon and President tell us that not one surviving military member is deserving of the Medal of Honor and only two deceased military personnel are deserving.
Why is this war so undeserving of its recognized Hero’s?
BobF I think that there are a couple of things going on. The process is not real easy, as it takes 4 main steps 1) the action which has to be above and beyond, 2) living witnesses 3) someone to make the recommendation and then 4)the approval. Any glitch in that process will make it harder for someone’s action to be recognized.
Then as shown this week by LT COL Bruce P. Crandall’s presentation of the Medal of Honor - he had withdrawn his name every time it had been recommended.
I (personally) think that the current attitude in DC (since Congress does make it ‘official’ ) is also part of the problem. Perhaps some in the Military wonder if anyone in Congress would approve (or even view as positive) some of the actions the Military does in a Combat Theater.
I also think that the ‘perception’ problem is two fold. We have a media that is driven not to report anything positive about the Military by it’s own biases and we have Military who see the whole deal as their job - and don’t run around bragging (except that horrid anti-war idiot - Millard, have you seen the picture of him with 11 medals on his CDUs? - what a poser). [As an aside, I only know my son got the GWOT, the Southwest(?) Asia and the CIB - haven’t talked about the War with him yet - told him it’s up to him to talk to me].
If President Bush can be successful in the next few months, then the perception might change and some more nominations will come forth - if not, then perhaps after all the crappola is over (i.e. dems lose control) and if there is a USA left - then we might see some more recognition.
Believe me, there are stories out there and sometimes it just takes time.
Wardmama4, it takes up to 18 months for the submission package to make its rounds for approval. Congress gets involved when the recommendation is over 2 years old. Here’s a good site on the recommendation process. Still, it seems that with 4 years into this war and no living service member has been honored by the Medal something isn’t right. We read all the time stories of heroism that would make Audi Murphy proud.
You are absolutely correct when you say true hero’s don’t go around bragging of their accomplishments or medals. Here’s a very good read on a Medal of Honor recipient named Bill Crawford. It’s written by an AF Colonel who, as a cadet at the AF Academy, discovered Mr. Crawford, their janitor, was awarded the Medal. The article is entitled ”A Janitor’s 10 Lessons in Leadership”. As a retired Senior NCO, I feel this article is something that needs to be ready by all officers and NCO’s in the Armed Forces. Also note, this submission didn’t take 18 months for approval.
I love her
OORAH!
Carry on, Sergeant!
03/02/2007 at 07:02 PM
