[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[SamAdams76]

I don't know what McGraw's political bent is (liberal or conservative) but I expected some liberal Democrat to propose just this thing to put President Bush on the spot. That way, if President Bush awards the medal, he takes heat from the right for caving in to political correctness and "watering down" what a Medal of Honor should mean. On the other hand, if Bush does not award the medal, he takes heat from the left for "not wanting to recognize the bravery of a woman."

I think PFC Lynch deserves the accolades she is getting for having survived her experience. But Medal of Honor material she clearly is not. That's no slam on her of course, there are 200,000+ other soldiers male and female who will not be coming out of this war with the MOH. That does not mean that none of them were brave or worthy of our highest respect. It's just that the MOH should only be bestowed upon those who exhibit the "highest possible" levels of bravery beyond the call of duty.

Actually a better case could be made for those who actually got her out of that hospital/prison.

[thedugal]

MoH is for what you do, not what is done to you.

She is alive, and her comrades are all dead. I have read a lot of MoH citations, but I have never heard of a single one that ended like that. In fact, the vast majority are when the recipient is dead, and all of his comrades are alive.

[Walkin Man]

I can see her getting some type of combat medal, she fought bravely and survived torture as a POW, but the MoH?

I think some people with an agenda are behind this.

[wi jd]

How about a medal of honor for this guy?

[Busywhiskers]

Maybe the facts surrounding the capture and rescue of PFC Lynch should be determined before recommending appropriate medals. All I have heard is a lot of probably baseless speculation by the media regarding what occurred.

There are standards for various military decorations that ought to be observed or the meaning of the decoration is lost because it is awarded to the undeserving.

It may well be the PFC Lynch should get the MOH, but it shouldn't be because some Judge in West Virgina gets weepy everytime he thinks about Lynch's experience.

[antaresequity]

Lynch mania in over drive

Paleeeeeeeeeez!

I have had enough...

[Eaker]

My view of Pvt. Lynch was not well received at the meeting.

Read this thread, maybe I was wrong.........maybe not.