Victoria Cross,johnson beharry,politically motivated award?

Question

Black pte johnson beharry recieved a VC for driving the lead armoured vehicle away from the combat zone in which hsi and other vehicles were being attacked.
The many events in history where this medal was awarded ,showed courage above and beyond the call of duty,where ones persoanl safety was disregarded for the sake of ones comrades or in the destruction of the target.

I fail to see the connection here.Of course the media would report this with slant favouring the medal recipient,but as individuals we have the right to question the wisdom.
The actions of the soldier,although respect for maintaining a level head were in no way deserving of the VC.
Clearly, the establishment was concerned with bad news and falling morale in iraq and dwindling of public support at home.Thus "all wars need a hero".Especially if in troubled times,especially if that hero is of ethnic minority.
This method is nothing new ,but I am concerned with the cheapening of all the VCs awarded in genuine cases.

Some answers assuming "classified information withheld"..Why assume?It is in the militarys interests to disclose all details.
"carefully vetted by military comittee"?Just words.
We must judge the evidence and not form assumptions.
The evidence clearly displays ,he did not attack the enemy,he did retreat,he took the minimum required action to save his own life.I acknowledge his injury..as I acknowledge the deaths and injuries of all who have NOT been awarded medals.
Please comment based on facts as opposed to sentimentality.Again my concern is for all those who have genuinely earned the medal,that now fares no better than a a beer bottle top.

Kevin,youre not very bright are you?
trying to win thumbs up with sentimental claptrap is all very nice but doesnt answer the question at all.

Johnstrangey......you have took the time to read the question properly..thanks.

Answer 1

the awarding of the VC in this case has devalued the VC at most he should have got the goege cross or MM i think there has been many more men in combat that has done alot more for there oppos and country that have been given the MM or GC the VC should not be use to show that the forces are open to all race's nd that they are treated equally it should be the hightest award a service man or woman can get and should be earnt in such away that they go above and beond the call of duty. there is only enough metal to make 12 more VC so it should get harded to win the VC as the are awarded

Answer 2

There must have been more to the action that is unknown at this point of time or not released for reasons that are of a classified nature.

For the first post, a Medal of Honor was issued on April 4th, 2005 to Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith (Posthumously). For action near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003.

Answer 3

The VC has been the benchmark award for heroism under fire by our armed forces for the last 150 years. I firmly believe that All such awards are Politically motivated to some extent. However to suggest that your knowledge of the situation faced by this particular Private of the British army under duress allows you to make this distinction from the safety of your overstuffed armchair is deplorable. The real reason that you suggest this is a fit up is because the recipient is actually of African origin. Not that you consider this act of bravery may cheapen the value placed on this award for future recipients.

I served 26 years in the Royal Navy Submarine service and no one ever offered me a medal for the often perilous work i did in the name of her Majesty and subjects, and I never expected them to. So consider the courage that people who you have no right to judge EVER, are prepared to display in some horrendous situations as worthy of you highest regard irrespective of the newsprint on the subject. Which is ALWAYS slanted to the Editors preferences. Read the transcript of the award published by the Military to determine the truth without political spin and then imagine how you would have measured up to that same situation. You would if you are an Honest person realise that adversity breeds snap decisions that are often in the rational of daylight foolhardy, but they prove to be the correct course of action in the end.
I for one Honour this man for showing courage under fire and for having the forsight to do what was needed at some considerable risk to himself. Well done soldier for upholding the highest traditions of the British army and the Military as a whole.

Answer 4

Awards of the Victoria Cross are very carefully vetted by an army committee, whose standards have risen over the years until they are quite staggering. There is no way they could be given for political reasons.

From all the reports, even by the standards of Victoria Cross awards Johnson Beharry's conduct was outstanding. He did far more than just drive his armoured vehicle back. In fact, I wonder why, given that he acted with outstanding valour beyond the call of duty on two separate occasions he was not awarded the Victoria Cross and then a Bar (i.e. a second one).

Far from wanting to gain politically from the award of military honours, Blair seems concerned that they may highlight his exploitation of the forces for dubious overseas interventions. I particular, the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Corporal Bryan Budd for outstanding bravery in Afghanistan was announced on Thursday 14th. December, the day before Parliament rose for the Christmas recess. This has been referred to as "Trash Thursday" because the Government got out of the way much bad, from its point of view, business such as Blair being interviewed by the police and the blocking of corruption charges over arms deals to Saudi Arabia. I wonder whether it is coincidental that Bryan Budd's Victoria Cross did not get as much publicity as it deserved.

Finally, Johnson Beharry received injuries that will affect him for the rest of his life. The Victoria Crosses should represent the thoughts and respect of everybody in the UK for him and the family of Bryan Budd, not political considerations.

Answer 5

We have the same thing in the USA with the retroactive Medals of Honor being given to Japanese veterans of the 442nd. They had already been given the Distinguished Service Cross (second only to the MOH). But they assumed with absolutley no proof that they did not get the MOH was becuase of racism. Nevertheless, contrary to regulations which prohibit medals of valor being awarded for the same action they were given the Medal of Honor. (The DSC's were not recinded). This made the Japanese regiment the most decorated of World War 2.
So the Medal of Honor has become a politcal medal.

Answer 6

I agree with student_p who posted above me saying "There must have been more to the action that is unknown at this point of time or not released for reasons that are of a classified nature. "

His was the FIRST vehicle out of the combat zone? What did the men in the last vehicle out get????????

Answer 7

VC recipients, these days, are few and far between. The few of them that do survive all have something in common - modesty. They all wear their VC with pride, but do not 'show off'. Pte. Beharry is no different than past recipients of the VC. Colour/race is not an issue in valour.

Answer 8

I would think that the MOD would look into things like this just as hard as the US does for the Medal of Honor. The first one was just issued for the Iraq conflict. So I am sure that there was more that happened at the scene than they are putting out to the press.

Answer 9

You have the right to speculate, but that is all you or any of us can do since we were not there.

On these occasions it is best to take the award at face value and not cast aspersions on individuals involved or on those who recognise their actions as being worthy of such an award.

Answer 10

He did it twice and had a bullet through his helmet. Don't take his honour away. The VC isn't awarded for political gain.