The SEALs left him behind. Then the Navy initially tried to block this AF MOH. There is also still debate on whether that Navy guy deserved the MOH. Regardless, the AF can be very proud of this patriot as they get their first MOH since Vietnam. As a retired Army Officer, I am very proud of his actions, the very finest a man can offer.
They gave it to the Navy guy in a deal where in return, they would not oppose the Air Force guy getting it. And the whole thing is childish. When the seals left they didn’t realize USAF man was still alive, so not their fault at all. But then they refused to honor him because they insisted on saying he was dead. Because otherwise would mean they left him behind. They didn’t know he was still alive so it really makes no difference.
The seals did nothing wrong on the battlefield, except for the leader who was later honored. The failing of the seals was back in the conference rooms .