McGraw: Lynch should be given Congressional Medal of Honor

Parkersburg News and Sentinel ^ | April 12, 2003

[flutters]

West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw is sending letters to President Bush and the state's congressional representatives to encourage the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Pfc. Jessica Lynch, the 19-year-old former prisoner of war from Palestine.

"It's clear to me that she demonstrates the characteristics of an American hero," McGraw said.

Lynch, a supply clerk with the 507th Maintenance Company, was rescued April 1 from a hospital in Nasiriyah. She had been taken prisoner March 23 after her convoy took a wrong turn and was ambushed by Iraqi forces.

Reports said Lynch fired on her attackers and fought fiercely before being captured.

She has been treated for a head wound, injury to her spine and fractures to her right arm, both legs and right foot and ankle.

"It's just absolutely heart-stopping," McGraw said.

"It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear a story about it."

"While many others have served with great honor and distinction in our struggle in Iraq, I believe that the bravery shown by Pfc. Lynch and the impact her conduct had upon the morale of our troops and the mood of our nation qualifies her for this high honor," said McGraw.

The Medal of Honor was made a permanent decoration by Congress in 1863. It is the "highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States," according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

More than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been presented, according to the U.S. Army.

Only one woman has ever been awarded the Medal of Honor. Mary Walker, the first American woman to be a military doctor and a prisoner of war, received the medal in 1866 for her service during the Civil War.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

During the "Medal of Honor Purge of 1917", a commission was formed to review the awards of all Civil War era Medals of Honor to determine if they met the new criteria. In all, 911 individuals had their "Medals of Honor" revoked.

Award was restored by Carter on 10 June 1977.

[wku man]

Indeed. The MoH has, in the past, been awarded only to the bravest of the brave, those who have shown courage above and beyond the call of duty, often when grviously wounded, like Sergeant Benavidez, and often in engagements they don't survive, like Sergeants Gordon and Shugart in Somalia. This is, in my opinion, the finest of all military traditions, and among the finest of all American traditions.

That said, my pessimism stems from the sacrifice of many military and American traditions at the altar of the Commielib god of Political Correctness. In Vietnam, Korea, and WW2 (had the Brone and Silver Starts been created in WW1?), awards for valor were given to men who carried out acts of extreme bravery, but acts that nonetheless didn't measure up to the standards of the MoH. That's not to take anything away from Bronze Star and Silver Start winners, either. My father, as a tank company commander in Vietnam, won the Bronze Star for leaving his safe bunker during a rocket attack, and grabbing, dragging, carrying some of his men into their own bunkers. He wasn't wounded in that attack, but he was a few months later, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.

All this in mind, it naturally pi**es me off to see First Sergeants, Squadron S-3s, and the like, who never heard a shot fired in anger during Gulf 1, get the same award my father earned for something that could've gotten him killed. To see those embarrassingly stupid jerks given the Bronze Star for being captured without firing a shot in Kosovo was nothing short of a disgrace. Instead, they should have been sent before a court martial for cowardice. Now, I'd like to believe the stories we're being told about PFC Lynch's bravery, and if they're true, she should be awarded at least the Bronze Star, IMHO. But awarding the MoH is not something to be taken lightly, and as high a position as the Chief Justice of the SCOWV holds, I hardly think he's in a position to recomend what kind of military award she's given. You and I are in full agreement in this regard, I think.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

There have been a number of recipients since Gordon and Shughart.

[poet]

The media has passed on a real great story about the Lt. who had the incredible presence of mind to order his platoon to kneel and point their weapons toward the ground in a brilliant act of showing the Iraqi mob that the soldiers had no intention of damaging their Mosque. To me, that was heroic. Oops, excuse me, that was a Male, therefore, only worthy of a passing comment. How politically incorrect of me:

Liberal Editor to Reporter:

Editor:

What is the matter with you? Maj. Gen. Amy Findmeaheroine is really angry at us for screwing up the Lynch story.

Reporter:

Well, Mam, I just thought what the LT did was brilliant and was worthy of reporting. In fact, I have a follow-up story about him.

Editor:

What is the matter with you, girl? We don't want any male heroes, we need girl heroes in our brave new world.
What school of journalism did you attend, one that teaches(insert your own choice here) you to tell the truth at all times? Now go out there and make the Lynch story sound plausible.

Reporter:

Ok, but, can you loosen the string as my arms are crossed and I can't open the door.

FReegards

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Isn't there a process they have to go through? They have to be recommended and written up, don't they? I imagine that takes some time.

At least during WWII it did.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I have absolutely no problem with female military heroes.

And when a woman deliberately, voluntarily puts herself in grave danger to save the lives of those in her unit, or to guarantee the success of a critical mission - in other words, when she starts looking all John Basilone on everybody - I will think it perfectly appropriate that she receive the Medal of Honor. Absolutely.

But this ain't it.

(And here's my disclaimer, before I'm accused of being unkind: I blame Pfc. Lynch for none of this.)

[poet]

Good for you. I agree.

FReegards

[lawgirl]

Reports said Lynch fired on her attackers and fought fiercely before being captured.

Her story needs to be corroborated first please.

[X-Servative]

If anyone deserves the MOH it is those Marines that went in and got her out.

[tortoise]

Sorry, but I don't think this act qualifies for a CMH by a long shot. You can't just hand them out like candy because it is a human interest story.

[freebilly]

To see those embarrassingly stupid jerks given the Bronze Star for being captured without firing a shot in Kosovo was nothing short of a disgrace. Instead, they should have been sent before a court martial for cowardice. Now, I'd like to believe the stories we're being told about PFC Lynch's bravery, and if they're true, she should be awarded at least the Bronze Star, IMHO. But awarding the MoH is not something to be taken lightly, and as high a position as the Chief Justice of the SCOWV holds, I hardly think he's in a position to recomend what kind of military award she's given. You and I are in full agreement in this regard, I think.

My father was awarded two Bronze Stars (one in WWII, and one in Korea). He "won" his Purple Heart in Korea.

Lynch has earned her Bronze Star, if the reports are true, possibly a Silver depending on the full story. But CMOH? Nope....

[SuziQ]

We don't know whether or not she deserves the Medal of Honor. It is reserved for those who actually sacrificed themselves or put themselves in harm's way to save others. We don't even really have the full story on what actually happened at the time she was captured. She has never made a public statement, as far as I know, and neither has the military.

She stayed alive, despite the odds against her. She'll get a Purple Heart, for sure. If, after investigation, it is found she deserves something more, fine, but we shouldn't let our emotions get the better of us.

[Jerry_M]

"Reports said Lynch fired on her attackers and fought fiercely before being captured."

This is what is expected of every US servicemember. It does not rise to the level of "conspicuous gallantry" which is "above and beyond the call of duty" required for a CMOH.

[PhilipFreneau]

The doctors say she was NOT shot!

I read that after surgery doctors said she had wounds that were consistent with small caliber weapons, in her right arm and left leg.

[Polybius]

During the "Medal of Honor Purge of 1917", a commission was formed to review the awards of all Civil War era Medals of Honor to determine if they met the new criteria. In all, 911 individuals had their "Medals of Honor" revoked....Polybius

Award was restored by Carter on 10 June 1977.....SMEDLEYBUTLER

Yes, Jimmy Carter did restore Dr.Mary Walker's "Medal of Honor" after it was legitimately revoked in less Politically Correct times. Mary Walker was also celebrated on a U.S. stamp for her award.

Mary Walker's original medal citation reads as follows:

"Rank and organization: Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian), U. S. Army. Places and dates: Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861; Patent Office Hospital, Washington, D.C., October 1861; Chattanooga, Tenn., following Battle of Chickomauga, September 1863; Prisoner of War, April 10, 1864-August 12, 1864, Richmond, Va.; Battle of Atlanta, September 1864. Entered service at: Louisville, Ky. Born: 26 November 1832, Oswego County, N.Y. Citation: Whereas it appears from official reports that Dr. Mary E. Walker, a graduate of medicine, "has rendered valuable service to the Government, and her efforts have been earnest and untiring in a variety of ways," and that she was assigned to duty and served as an assistant surgeon in charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky., upon the recommendation of Major-Generals Sherman and Thomas, and faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United States, and has devoted herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured hardships as a prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract surgeon; and Whereas by reason of her not being a commissioned officer in the military service, a brevet or honorary rank cannot, under existing laws, be conferred upon her; and Whereas in the opinion of the President an honorable recognition of her services and sufferings should be made: It is ordered, That a testimonial thereof shall be hereby made and given to the said Dr. Mary E. Walker, and that the usual medal of honor for meritorious services be given her. Given under my hand in the city of Washington, D.C., this 11th day of November, 1866 A.D."

In short, Mary Walker was a rear-echelon Civil War era civilian contract surgeon that did her job as did thousands of other male Cival War era surgeons who never had a U.S. postage stamp issued in their honor. Her POW status was the result of bumping into Confederate soldiers in a non-combat situation and she was soon thereafter the beneficiary of a prisoner exchage.

The current medal that would honor such service (assuming you waive the active duty requirements) would be the Meritorious Service Medal which is now awarded to individuals who have "distinguished themselves by noncombat meritorious achievement or service. The DMSM is specifically intended to recognize exceptionally meritorious service performance and to honor an individual's accomplishments over a sustained period."

The feminists trumpet the fact that Dr. Mary Walker "was the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor, her country's highest military award" without ever bothering to mention that, during the Civil War era the then called "usual medal of honor for meritorious services" was handed out for such things as simply re-enlisting for manning Washington, DC area fortifications not involved in combat and for being an Honor Guard at Lincoln's funeral.

Mary Walker's Medal of Honor was revoked along with the medals of 910 males, including "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who did not meet the new strict citeria set for the Medal of Honor in 1917. She alone refused to return an award whose meaning had changed. She alone had it reinstated. She alone is now passed off as having met the current standards of "America's highest honor" when, in fact, it was not originally awarded to her in that context.

Thus, Mary Walker has earned a place in U.S. military history, not for being the first female to legitimately earn the equivalent of the modern-day Meritorious Service Medal, but, rather, as the Politically Correct recipient of America's only "Affirmative Action Medal of Honor".

The high standards for the modern-day award of the Medal of Honor is exemplified in the citation of it's award to Hospital Corpsman Second Class David R. Ray, USN:

CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Corpsman with Battery D, 2nd Battalion at Phu Loc 6, near An Hoa on 19 March 1969. During the early morning hours an estimated battalion sized enemy force launched a determined assault against the battery's position and succeeded in effecting a penetration of the barbed-wire perimeter. The initial burst of enemy fire caused numerous casualties among the Marines who had immediately manned their howitzers during the rocket and mortar attack. Undaunted by the intense hostile fire, Petty Officer Ray moved parapet to parapet, rendering emergency -medical treatment to the wounded. Although seriously wounded himself while administering first aid to a Marine casualty, he refused medical aid and continued his lifesaving efforts. While he was bandaging and attempting to comfort another wounded Marine, Petty Officer Ray was forced to battle two enemy soldiers who attacked his position, personally killing one and wounding the other. Rapidly losing his strength as a result of his severe wounds, he nonetheless managed to move through the hail of enemy fire to other casualties. once again, Petty Officer Ray was faced with the intense fire of oncoming enemy troops and, despite the grave personal danger and insurmountable odds, succeeded in treating the wounded and holding off the enemy until he ran out of ammunition, at which time he sustained fatal wounds. Petty Officer Ray's final act of heroism was to protect the patient he was treating. He threw himself upon the wounded Marine, thus saving the man's life when an enemy grenade exploded nearby. Through his determined and preserving actions, courageous spirit, and loyalty to the welfare of his Marine comrades, he served to inspire the men of Battery D to heroic efforts in defeating the enemy. Petty Officer Ray's exemplary conduct, steadfast determination, and unwavering devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

HN2 David R. Ray, USN (Who never had a U.S. postage stamp issued in his honor.)

[Sloth]

I agree with what appears to be the FR consensus... if what we've been told about her ordeal is fairly accurate, Bronze Star seems about right.

[PhilipFreneau]

Did John McCain get the CMoH for being held captive?

I don't think so. According to the Vietnam POW site "eight POWs received the Medal of Honor: VADM Jim Stockdale, USN; Col. Bud Day, USAF; Col. Don Cook, USMC (Posthumously); Capt. Lance Sijan, USAF (Posthumously); Capt. Rocky Versace (Posthumously) for action above and beyond the call of duty as POWs and Col. Leo Thorsness, USAF, SGM Jon Cavaiani, USA and SGT William Port, USA for heroism prior to their being captured". Stockdale was Ross Perot's running mate in the 1996 election.

[Malsua]

While deplorable her capture and subsequent torture which probably included gang raping doesn't entitle her.

I really hate the fact that Iraqis beat her and worse. I sympathize with her. I cannot overstate this. I wish her only the best. She battled with honor and she did her job. She deserves recognition for that, no doubt. Her good friend that was killed by Iraqis however deserves more honor than she does. Realize we're talking about levels of praise here! Her praise is 125% Her friend that died needs to be 150%! I wish only the best for her. She is going to get a scholarish and I can hope she gets the education she yearned for and leads a life she hoped for.
She's got a long road ahead in rehab from the harm she endured. All the best PFC Lynch.

-Mal

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Very informative posts this morning. Thank you.

In short, Mary Walker was a rear-echelon Civil War era civilian contract surgeon that did her job as did thousands of other male Cival War era surgeons who never had a U.S. postage stamp issued in their honor. Her POW status was the result of bumping into Confederate soldiers in a non-combat situation and she was soon thereafter the beneficiary of a prisoner exchage.

Leave it to freaking Jimmy Carter to pull a stunt like this. Sheesh. The man (and I use the term loosely, as I do with Bill Clinton) makes me want to scream and tear my hair out.

All I expect is that a woman would have to do the same as a man to receive the same level of recognition. That's it. This lowering of the bar for females is just plain wrong.