Also, the generals who were serving as media advisors told us at that time that "major combat operations" referred to clashes between large formations of combatants. It was a true statement.
The Lincoln flew around 8,000 sorties without a fatality. If the crew of that carrier didn't accomplish their mission, then no one did. Certainly the larger force, tasked with removing Saddam, had also accomplished theirs. God forbid the Commander-in-Chief recognize these oustanding accomplishments.