Where are the Medals of Honor for our soldiers?

Question

If you think the Pentagon, and this Administration, really takes our soldiers in Iraq seriously, take a guess as to how many Medals of Honor have been awarded since the "war" began.

Hint: A soldier was 122 times more likely to be awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam and 232 times more likely in World War II.

Answer 1

Marine ----- Great answer, it does us good to know that someone is at least keeping track of the REAL stories that need to be told, and not just the negatives.
One of the other reasons soldiers in WWII and Veitnam were more likely to recieve the Medal of Honor was that their enemies had the balls to stand up and actually fight against them. the people we are fighting over here do their very best to hide behind children, women, and the elderly. There are people here that are told if they don't shoot at us or plant an IED then the terrorists the liberals so love will kill their ENTIRE family. Don't hear about that on CNN, huh. The bottom line is the Germans, Japanese, and Veitnamese at least had the courage to stand up and fight like men, not hide behind women and children like our current enemy does. If they stood up and fought toe-to-toe with us in real engagements, you would probably see more Medal of Honor awards. By the way, for those who don't know it--- you don't WIN the Medal of Honor, it isn't a competition, you RECIEVE it for going above and beyond the line of duty and placing your fellow soldiers lives above your own.

Answer 2

Judy: Please understand the Medal of Honor is our military's top award. There are many medals of bravery below it. Many of these medals have been awarded. Many Soldiers and Marines now have multiple bronze stars.

Also understand, medals should not be given out to make people feel good about themselves. They are awarded for proven acts, whether for valor which would include the Medal of Honor or for exemplary service over a period of time which would not include the Medal of Honor.

Perhaps you do not understand the requirements to earn this medal or the prestige of having earned it. Most that earn it do so in death. Those living Medal of Honor recipients nearly to a man deny they've earned it. They insist their colleagues did more than they did.

Our current enemy does not mount mass assaults against our positions. There are no large scale battles. It's not even common for a small engagement to last very long. With that being the case, fewer Soldiers and Marines will be placed in a position to earn a Medal of Honor. The criteria for earning it are just that high.

Our Soldiers and Marines continue to do an outstanding and valorous job. They are receiving the Medals they've earned.

Answer 3

I agree that he merits an MOH. The crux of the argument against his receiving the MOH is that he advance into in all threat the sufferer of friendly hearth. In an age whilst maximum participants of the legislative branch have been militia veterans, this guy would've had a lock on the MOH (of course, he's lifeless and does no longer get the income of it besides, yet...) maximum participants of Congress now have not any previous militia provider, so we get a terrific variety of undesirable judgements like this coming down. He for sure merits the MOH. My condolences to his family members...who're now suffering this indignity, together with his loss. My guess is that he's reconsidered and granted the medal. It won't convey him back, in spite of if this is going to offer his family members a feeling of honor and remembrance. shame on the Congress! If grabbing a grenade isn't heroic above and previous the call of accountability...i do no longer comprehend what's.

Answer 4

Two Congressional Medals of Honor have been awarded to troops serving in Iraq, one to an Army soldier and one to a Marine.

Those were the first since 1993.

Answer 5

COUNTER QUESTION:
Would you prefer the medal be awarded for an act of selfless heroism or would you prefer the quota system where we hand out medals that mean nothing?

Answer 6

i don't need a guess i know 2. you have to do something worthy of being bestowed with a medal of honor, and apparently none have to date. that is nothing against our service men and women,but it is not just handed out at random.

Answer 7

The criteria has changed for the awarding of it.

Answer 8

Bush keeps the Freedom Medals handy to hang around the necks of disgraced cronies.

He doesn't have time to review the military logs and find out who among them should be honored.

Hey, there's only so much time in a busy President's life!

Answer 9

The answer is two. Marine Cpl. Dunham and Army Sgt. Smith. But it's not about the medals. These two brave men, and all the rest who have given their lives, did not do it for medals, or fame, or money. They did what they did because their buddies were in danger, because they were trying to protect them. Cpl. Dunham did not throw himself on a grenade to make the world safe for democracy, or to get a Starbucks in Baghdad. He did it because, in his own words when ask why he EXTENDED his enlistment to be with his company for their whole tour in Iraq, "to make sure everybody comes home" Those of us who fight don't need a chest full of medals to remind us what we did. The best award we can be given is the respect of our peers, to be called a "good Marine" or to be told that we are the one someone wants next to them when it hits the fan. It's not about medals, it's about the guy next to you.(and darrell m, you know jacks*it)

Edit: * denotes posthumus award
*DUNHAM, JASON L.

Rank and Organization: Corporal, United States Marine Corps
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

*SMITH, PAUL R.

Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

Answer 10

Well those soldiers did more. Let's be honest here. These guys in Iraq haven't done much at all, have they? You tell me.

I like the troops, but they are doing the wrong thing right now.