[Pern]

A Bronze Star, usually awarded for Sacrifice and Valor in Combat, awarded to a pretty white girl because (besides being a pretty white girl) she and her company got lost, got ambushed, were defeated, and taken captive by the enemy.

I can understand the Purple Heart, maybe even a POW medal, but the Bronze Star? It's a publicity stunt, and it cheapens the value of the medal, and mocks the people that actually deserve it.

Welcome to the new, politically correct, kinder, gentler Armed Forces.

[NMFXSTC]

Right you are! To succeed and be decorated in this force all you have to do is:

- fail to maintain your weapon and don't return fire

- fail to know land nav, map and compass and basic infantry skills

- Accept an assignment to a ptrol or op that you are clearly not trained nor qualified for (and that goes particulalry for the NCOs and OIC!)

- Operate equipment you are unqualified to operate (running out of fuel, geting stuck repeatedly, and crashing the damn thing!)

- Accept the celebrity ststus bestowed (knowing it a flasehood)

- Conveniently develop "amnesia" and spend months recovering from injuries that would have placed the run of the mill troop back on duty within four to six weeks

Yep...it's an Army of One!

On panel 05-E are the names of 44 of my Brothers...there are a couple of Bronze Stars associated with that list, all "with 'V""...I am sure my Brothers are turning in their hallowed graves.

[Gothmog]

I'm just curious, since you seem to know something about the qualifications. I have always wondered how my granduncle, who was a Chaplain as a Captain in the Army on Okinawa in WWII, got a bronze star.

Do you, or anyone else on the board, know if it's usual for Chaplains to get bronze stars. I figure he must have been doing some heroic work in a tough situation, but there's no 'family' history. I'm just curious if you know anything about the official standards.

[xsrdx]

A Bronze Star, usually awarded for Sacrifice and Valor in Combat

Nope.

UNLESS the award is noted FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR, a Bronze Star is NOT a valor award.

Both Army Commendation Medals, and Bronze Stars, can be awarded with the "V" device, signifying exceptional valor.

The Silver Star is the first level award given ONLY for exceptional valor.

Bronze Star Medals are generally awarded to SENIOR Officer / NCO personnel for successfully completing a tour in a combat zone.

If deserved, the "V" device can be added, which makes it AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT award.

[A Navy Vet]

"... got lost, got ambushed, were defeated, and taken captive by the enemy."

Exactly what I've been saying for months, but you left out injuries sustained in auto crash and unconscious through whatever fire fight occurred. Bronze Star my rear.