Lynch Receives Bronze Star Before Homecoming (What for?!!)

You would base a decision.......on a....Hollywood movie?

Ah, the BUFFs. I still love that airplane (it's about the most ungainly looking thing in the air, but that is one of its charms). Linebacker II also employed F-111s, F-105s, and F-4s. The main sorties took off from Anderson AFB in Guam and Utapao in Thailand.

I worked on Linebacker II..

Nice Job! Thanks for your Service.

USAF '76-'88...

Right Adm. Borda commited sucide......
And I have a bridge in Yuma Arizona to sell you.

Implying what?

Just curious.

Here's more:

Fort Bliss awards medals to 13 'heroes'

http://www.elpasotimes.com/stories/borderland/20030703-132016.shtml

The ground rattled and hearts burst with pride Wednesday as 75 mm howitzers thunderously declared Fort Bliss' commemoration of the birth of the United States with a 50-gun salute.

The Army post also honored 13 of its soldiers who distinguished themselves in action in Iraq.

"For 228 years, American soldiers have answered the call to free the oppressed and light the path to freedom," said Gen. Larry R. Ellis, Forces Command's commanding general, before an audience of about 300 at Fort Bliss' annual Fourth of July celebration at Memorial Circle.

"Every generation has its heroes, and this one is no different," Ellis said. "These men and women are soldiers who set aside their personal safety. They risked their lives and suffered much to save Iraqi citizens ... (and) their heroism demands our respect and reminds us of our soldiers who are still overseas."

Under a blazing July sun, the 13 soldiers -- nine members of the 507th Maintenance Company and four members of the 76th Military Police Battalion -- stood at attention as, one by one, they received some of the nation's most prestigious awards for their actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The soldiers who fought to the last bullet and risked their lives to protect comrades were awarded Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and Prisoner of War medals. Pfc. Patrick Miller, of the 507th, received the Silver Star Medal, the nation's fourth-highest award for bravery.

According to the military, the Silver Star is awarded to a soldier who is "cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force."

The maintenance company, which suffered some of the heaviest losses of any unit in Iraq, was traveling toward Baghdad in a convoy when the soldiers were ambushed March 23 near Nasiriyah. Nine soldiers were killed, six were taken prisoner and four were wounded.

Fort Bliss officials said Miller was in the rear of the convoy and manually fed rounds into the chamber of his weapon to protect two fellow soldiers. When captured, Miller, who had radio frequencies written inside his helmet, told his Iraqi captors that the highly sensitive numbers were the prices for water pumps.

Spc. Shoshana Johnson, who was shot in the ankle, was steadied by Ellis as he presented her awards -- the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. Her father, Claude Johnson, said he was happy to see his daughter recognized.

"I'm not just proud of Shona, I'm proud of everybody," he said. "These guys did tremendous things. Somehow, you feel that it is not fair that everybody's not getting the same thing. There're (soldiers still in Iraq) risking their lives as well."

Spc. Edgar Hernandez, who received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal, proudly presented his awards to his new wife and his family, who arrived Tuesday afternoon from Alton, Texas, for the ceremony.

"I think all of the soldiers deserved the recognition because they made such large sacrifices," said Hernandez's father, Jose, who celebrates his birthday July 4.

"It's not only my day of birth but the birth of the United States," he said. "We thank God for that day because it is a great day for all of the nation."

Soldiers honored
The 507th Maintenance Company was traveling toward Baghdad in a convoy on March 23 when the soldiers were ambushed near Nasiriyah. Nine soldiers were killed, six were taken prisoner and four were wounded. These soldiers were honored for their actions in combat:

Spc. Shoshana Johnson, 30, of El Paso received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Pfc. Patrick Miller, 23, of Wichita, Kan., received the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Sgt. Matthew Rose, 37, of Salem, Ore., received the Bronze Star with Valor Device.

Sgt. James Riley, 31, of Pennsauken, N.J., received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Sgt. Curtis Campbell, 27, of Brooklyn, N.Y., received the Bronze Star.

Spc. Joseph Hudson, 23, of Alamogordo received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Spc. Edgar Hernandez, 22, of Mission, Texas, received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Spc. James Grubb, 21, of Manchester, Ky., received the Bronze Star.

Cpl. Francis Carista, 21, of Rahway, N.J., received the Purple Heart.
June 4, two soldiers from the 76th Military Police Battalion came under fire and received shrapnel wounds while in a Humvee on a routine patrol mission in support of the 4th Infantry Division north of Baghdad.

Pfc. Candice May, 21, of Winter Haven, Fla., received the Purple Heart.

Spc. Alan Raymond Hill, 20, of Dunseith, N.D., received the Purple Heart.
June 5, soldiers from the 76th Military Police Battalion came under fire and two soldiers received shrapnel wounds defending a water plant in Balad, Iraq.

Pfc. Jeremy Bristol, 21, of McKinney, Texas, received the Purple Heart.

Spc. Pedro Rodriguez, 22, of El Paso received the Purple Heart.

What For ??????

You Suck

Tongue in cheek, that part was. The movie will come and I'll wait 'till I can rent it on DVD so I can see all the neat stuff that goes on behind the scenes.

Ok class, take your seats and take out your notebooks. Pay careful attention, this is testable.

Today's class is called the Bronze Star, its history and usage.

The Bronze Star Medal was created by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1944 as a means of recognizing the performance of ground (including Naval)forces during World War II. The Air Medal was created for similar purposes for aviation forces. The Bronze Star could be awarded for any of three reasons during ground combat operations against an enemy force. Meritorious Service, Meritorious Achievement, or heroism not rising to the level that would merit the award of the Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Medal of Honor. In the Army, a "V" device was included when the Bronze Star was for heroism. The "V" device was used somewhat differently in Naval Service, it usually indicated an award for actions involving "contact with the enemy". The Admiral Borda controversy involving an argument over the meaning of this distinction.

During World War II, the Bronze Star was awarded in very different ways depending on the Theater of War, and the unit involved. In some units, awards were liberally made; in others, they were as rare as hen's teeth. In the years following World War II, the Army decided that any soldier awarded a Combat Infantryman's Badge or a Combat Medical Badge, could also be awarded a Bronze Star if this had not already been done. A similar policy was adopted following the Korean War and Vietnam War. But, remember, a World War II combat infantryman typically served months in continuous close combat operations. So did many in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, but some were much less heavily engaged.

During the Vietnam War, the Bronze Star became the "I've been there" award. Anyone involved in ground combat operations, including Naval forces off shore, Air Force support forces in Thailand, and Army personnel serving in Combat Support and Combat Service support roles were eligible. Many who never heard a shot fired in anger received a Bronze Star. In Army rifle companies, where I served, the typical infantry soldier serving for 12 months of combat operations received an Army Commendation Medal for his first six months of service, a Bronze Star medal for his second six months of service, and a Combat Infantryman's Badge. Most got a Purple Heart thrown in for good measure. These awards were completely deserved, but some, through either negligence or clerical error never received theirs. Many of what we called "REMF"s received one or multiple Bronze Stars for dubious acts of meritorious achievement. The Marine Corps was far less genorous in its award of the Bronze Star, with the Navy falling somewhat inbetween. The Air Force was arguably the most generous. Air Medals only went to Air Crew, who were, by the was, generally the only member of the Air Force who actually saw combat. No matter, for those who rode out the war in Thailand or Guam, Bronze Stars were passed out for chipping in to the old war effort. This policy was carried to its ultimate absurdity when members of the Air Force received Bronze Star Medals for support to the Kosovo campaign without ever leaving Wightman Air Force Base, which happens to be located in Southern Missouri. Congress has since stepped in and put a stop to this sort of thing, but the regulations still allow for a wide range of justifications for the award of the Bronze Star.

The award to PFC Lynch is entirely in line with awards of the Bronze Star over the history of its use. Honorable service while suffering imprisonment by enemy forces is almost always recognized by an award of the Bronze Star or a higher award. In fact, one would have to question the conduct of returning POW if they did not receive at least a Bronze Star.

Awards of the Bronze Star during recent combat actions have actually been less generous than was seen in Vietnam. They have not been passed out with the rations, although one can still find some that might be questionable, and there is not equity among units and among services.

Soldiers understand all of this. When they see a Bronze Star ribbon on a uniform, they see it as a "been there" award, a notch above wearing a combat patch on your right shoulder. Wearing a "V" device means something, equivilent; to the British "Mention in Despatches". It requires a specific citation describing the act of heroism, and isn't given for just getting shot at. In general, the lowere the rank of the recepient, the higher the level of heroism required to earn the award. A private wearing a Bronze Star with "V" is a big deal.

PFC Lynch earned her Bronze Star - more than those clowns at Wightman AFB.

Class Dismissed

You brought up Adm. Boortz and everytime I see that name, I have to live up to a promise I made. My brother worked with Adm. Boorta, and told me he (Boorta) had the right to wear EVERY ribbon on his chest. A commission to investigate those ribbons stated the same thing.

It is not known why Adm. Boorta committed suicide but please, let's give the man the benefit of the doubt.

[raises my hand] Excuse me, Teac. What did she do???? I mean you still have to perform a "meritorious achievement or service", even if office work. What was hers?

...I'm just tired of all these keyboard commandos acting as though they know something that the military does not and belittling Pfc Lynch for receiving what these people, in all their omnipotence, feel is an undeserved award.

I'm no keyboard commando. Former Marine, 13 months in Leatherneck Square ('67-'68) and I don't feel her award is undeserved - I know it is. This is PC bull$hit.

Semper Fi ...

Borderland Thursday, July 3, 2003

Fort Bliss awards medals to 13 'heroes'

507th, MPs honoredLaura Cruz
El Paso Times

Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

Gen. Larry R. Ellis pinned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Prisoner of War medals on Spc. Edgar Hernandez while Spc. Shoshana Johnson waited for the same Wednesday at Fort Bliss. Spc. James R. Grubb, right, also received a Bronze Star.

Soldiers honored

The 507th Maintenance Company was traveling toward Baghdad in a convoy on March 23 when the soldiers were ambushed near Nasiriyah. Nine soldiers were killed, six were taken prisoner and four were wounded. These soldiers were honored for their actions in combat:

Spc. Shoshana Johnson, 30, of El Paso received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.
Pfc. Patrick Miller, 23, of Wichita, Kan., received the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.
Sgt. Matthew Rose, 37, of Salem, Ore., received the Bronze Star with Valor Device.
Sgt. James Riley, 31, of Pennsauken, N.J., received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.
Sgt. Curtis Campbell, 27, of Brooklyn, N.Y., received the Bronze Star.
Spc. Joseph Hudson, 23, of Alamogordo received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.
Spc. Edgar Hernandez, 22, of Mission, Texas, received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.
Spc. James Grubb, 21, of Manchester, Ky., received the Bronze Star.
Cpl. Francis Carista, 21, of Rahway, N.J., received the Purple Heart.
June 4, two soldiers from the 76th Military Police Battalion came under fire and received shrapnel wounds while in a Humvee on a routine patrol mission in support of the 4th Infantry Division north of Baghdad.
Pfc. Candice May, 21, of Winter Haven, Fla., received the Purple Heart.
Spc. Alan Raymond Hill, 20, of Dunseith, N.D., received the Purple Heart.
June 5, soldiers from the 76th Military Police Battalion came under fire and two soldiers received shrapnel wounds defending a water plant in Balad, Iraq.
Pfc. Jeremy Bristol, 21, of McKinney, Texas, received the Purple Heart.
Spc. Pedro Rodriguez, 22, of El Paso received the Purple Heart.

The ground rattled and hearts burst with pride Wednesday as 75 mm howitzers thunderously declared Fort Bliss' commemoration of the birth of the United States with a 50-gun salute.

The Army post also honored 13 of its soldiers who distinguished themselves in action in Iraq.

"For 228 years, American soldiers have answered the call to free the oppressed and light the path to freedom," said Gen. Larry R. Ellis, Forces Command's commanding general, before an audience of about 300 at Fort Bliss' annual Fourth of July celebration at Memorial Circle.

"Every generation has its heroes, and this one is no different," Ellis said. "These men and women are soldiers who set aside their personal safety. They risked their lives and suffered much to save Iraqi citizens ... (and) their heroism demands our respect and reminds us of our soldiers who are still overseas."

Under a blazing July sun, the 13 soldiers -- nine members of the 507th Maintenance Company and four members of the 76th Military Police Battalion -- stood at attention as, one by one, they received some of the nation's most prestigious awards for their actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The soldiers who fought to the last bullet and risked their lives to protect comrades were awarded Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and Prisoner of War medals. Pfc. Patrick Miller, of the 507th, received the Silver Star Medal, the nation's fourth-highest award for bravery.

According to the military, the Silver Star is awarded to a soldier who is "cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force."

The maintenance company, which suffered some of the heaviest losses of any unit in Iraq, was traveling toward Baghdad in a convoy when the soldiers were ambushed March 23 near Nasiriyah. Nine soldiers were killed, six were taken prisoner and four were wounded.

Fort Bliss officials said Miller was in the rear of the convoy and manually fed rounds into the chamber of his weapon to protect two fellow soldiers. When captured, Miller, who had radio frequencies written inside his helmet, told his Iraqi captors that the highly sensitive numbers were the prices for water pumps.

Spc. Shoshana Johnson, who was shot in the ankle, was steadied by Ellis as he presented her awards -- the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. Her father, Claude Johnson, said he was happy to see his daughter recognized.

"I'm not just proud of Shona, I'm proud of everybody," he said. "These guys did tremendous things. Somehow, you feel that it is not fair that everybody's not getting the same thing. There're (soldiers still in Iraq) risking their lives as well."

Spc. Edgar Hernandez, who received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal, proudly presented his awards to his new wife and his family, who arrived Tuesday afternoon from Alton, Texas, for the ceremony.

"I think all of the soldiers deserved the recognition because they made such large sacrifices," said Hernandez's father, Jose, who celebrates his birthday July 4.

"It's not only my day of birth but the birth of the United States," he said. "We thank God for that day because it is a great day for all of the nation."

Laura Cruz may be reached at lcruz@elpasotimes.com

His honor was called into question at a time when such issues created a witch hunt like atmosphere. So he probably thought just the accusation would do hom in.

Most of the guys I served with were former Buff or Aardvark pilots who had transitioned to the B-1B. Now THAT's an airplane. I once stood on the taxiway as one flew a low altitude pass at full afterburner. The vibration will suck the air out of your lungs. Even though I had earplugs, my ears rang for a week afterwards.

"Recipients must distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, not involving aerial flight"

If the requirements are strictly adhered to the gentleman doesn't rate it either. How about an Army Meritorious Achievement Medal?

Neener neener- I beat you to it!

If the requirements are strictly adhered to the gentleman doesn't rate it either.

The requirements are very vague and you aren't the one who gets to decide.

Actually, I thought she got the V--PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer just said she got the Bronze Star of Valor.

First off, Jim Lehrer doesn't know his anus from his mouth. There is no "Bronze Star of Valor". He's obviously one of those who don't know the distinction between "valor" and "meritorious service".

That said, I just watched the tape again of her "press conference". There is no "V" on her Bronze Star ribbon.

13 months in Leatherneck Square ('67-'68)

Kinda close to the DMZ weren't you, Marine? ;-)

Neener neener- I beat you to it!

LOL, but look how much nicer mine looks. Style over substance, didn't ya know?