[Nachum]

Full title: Hero Marine who saved comrades by falling on grenade will NOT get post- humous Medal of Honor - because he was ´unconscious when it exploded´

-Some lines, should not be crossed

[Cicero]

This is the kind of thing that happens when you have a corrupt, thuggish, clintonoid Communist as Defence Secretary.

[Gay State Conservative]

Never having gotten many ribbons in my not-so-stellar Army career I could be wrong but isn't the Navy Cross the second highest ribbon a Marine (and a sailor) can be awarded? And how do they know that he was unconscious when it exploded and,if he was,was he unconscious when he *fell* the grenade?

[real saxophonist]

Goddammit, Peralta should get it. Enough of this crap.

[mc5cents]

So the autopsy “said” he was unconscious when he fell on the grenade, but eyewitnesses said he pulled the grenade into his body before he fell. So who do you believe? I would go with the Marines who were there and not some pathologist who was not. Pathology is not an exact science and cannot say within seconds when the brain stopped functioning.

[P-Marlowe]

It takes at least 5 minutes of being oxygen deprived before you can get to a “brain dead” state. I don’t recall seeing any grenades with fuses longer than 5 minutes, nor have I ever heard of a brain dead person “falling”.

The grenade managed to work it’s way under his body before it exploded.

Brain dead people don’t usually pull grenades under their body. They do, however, tend to vote for democrats.

[Patriot95]

This Marine did not die for the Secretary of Defense or the President, he died for our country, its people, and its freedom. This Marine currently does not give a rat’s as* about receiving the Medal of Honor. Mortal man cannot reward such sacrifice anyway.

God Bless this Marine and his family.

Semper Fidelis.

[SkyPilot]

Just remember, Private Jessica Lynch was called an “American Hero” and Major Julie Metzger (now back on active duty as A Lt Col) was never prosecuted for lying and desertion. Leadership was something this nation last saw in World War 2. It is rare today.

[Patriot365]

Was there not a time when the MOH was given to those who killed or captured mass quanities of the enemy and probably died as a result. So why now must it be given to those who simply commit suicide although for a good cause? Search the Medal of Honor online and read it’s history up to the present and at a recent point in history you may see where is has been cheapened in the name of fell good politics.

[DUMBGRUNT]

MILTON L. OLIVE III

Pfc. Olive saw the grenade, and then saved the lives of his fellow soldiers at the sacrifice of his by grabbing the grenade in his hand and falling on it to absorb the blast with his body.

http://corregidor.org/heritage_battalion/moh/olive.html

THE MEN OF OLIVE COMPANY; FOUR SOLDIERS SURVIVED VIETNAM BECAUSE MILTON OLIVE DIDN’T

Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2002
By Don Terry

We are blessed to have such men.

[BluH2o]

Speaking as a former Vietnam era Marine I concur ... given the circumstances this is not worthy of the MOH. The Navy Cross is the next highest award and certainly appropriate. In the British military the Victoria Cross is the equivalent of the MOH ... rarely is it awarded for a soldier sacrificing his life by throwing his body on a grenade.

[centurion316]

I suspect that they got the facts right on this one, but it has set the bar intolerably high and demands a degree of fact gathering that is just impossible in these kinds of combat situations. He certainly did more than many other recepients, and there is no way to say without possibility of error. Consider this citation from WWII:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Rear Admiral Daniel Judson Callaghan (NSN: 0-7635), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on board the U.S.S. San Francisco, during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of 12 - 13 November 1942. Although out-balanced in strength and numbers by a desperate and determined enemy, Rear Admiral Callaghan, with ingenious tactical skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, led his forces into battle against tremendous odds, thereby contributing decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet, and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. While faithfully directing close-range operations in the face of furious bombardment by superior enemy fire power, he was killed on the bridge of his flagship. His courageous initiative, inspiring leadership, and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.

Also awarded the Medal of Honor during this engagement were two others on the bridge. Captain Cassin Young, Captain of the San Francisco and LCDR Bruce McCandless on duty on the bridge. Callaghan and Young were killed as the same instant the fight began, neither was quite certain of the Japanese positions and intent. They were blown to pieces and never knew that the engagement had begun. McCandless was wounded and took command of the ship. The U.S. needed heroes and the Navy wanted to provide them. The Army did the same thing with Colin Kelly.

At least it wasn't Vera Cruz in 1914

[Teacher317]

As if the Navy Cross is an insult?

I'm all for acknowledging heroic acts... but his lights were out, and his body fell in a highly fortuitous way. The Navy Cross for his family and posterity is more than enough of a recognition.

Or do we have out MOH's like candy to anyone who dies nowadays?