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Mom says killed son mistaken for Lynch in Iraq (Sgt. Walters was the true hero)
The Herald-Dispatch ^ | Saturday, July 12, 2003 | BOB WITHERS

Posted on 07/22/2003 4:06:57 PM PDT by Destro

Edited on 05/07/2004 9:36:15 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

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To: Let's Roll
What is the description accompanying Jessica Lynch's award?

You could go to West Virginia and ask to read it.

61 posted on 07/22/2003 5:09:41 PM PDT by #3Fan
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To: Let's Roll
What is the description accompanying Jessica Lynch's award?

I don't know- neither do I care. I'm not the one b!tching about it.

62 posted on 07/22/2003 5:10:23 PM PDT by Prodigal Son
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To: Destro
The Myth has been totally discredited and even investigated..The WaPo was the villian.No one that keeps up with the news believes in that Myth!That can't be it!The press likes ratings and she's a sympathetic figure.They are still fighting over who can get her to talk!Blame the MEDIA..Lynch hasn't offended anyone.I've seen several welcome home features.Have you seen the How Texas buries a hero thread?It is wonderful He was one of the executed men.The entire town lined the road and highway solemnly and with flags.I choke up just talking about it.
63 posted on 07/22/2003 5:12:45 PM PDT by MEG33
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To: My back yard
Of all the posts I have seen on the Award/Lynch subject, I like your the best.

As a never-served civilian, I was loath to walk into this arena.
I'd like the standard on medals/citations to be perfect, but that just can't be.
And history is the best guide...how many times do we hear of someone who
did something super-human in WWII (or later conflicts) finally getting a medal...
sometimes only because a friend or family member pushed for it?
Or maybe had a medal denied due to prejudice (IIRC, some Jewish fellow from Wisconsin
didn't get his medal until about 10 years ago for heroic action in the South Pacific.)

And I admit I've taken a bit of a "squishy" stance. Total fairness would demand
huge investments of time/energy in order to scientifically ration out the rewards.

At some point though, you learn the real Americans are often the ones you'd never
have a clue about as regards their service record. Because they have the
wisdom exceeding philosophers of classical Greece and are just happy they got back
home to live in a great country, made only more fascinating by some of it's imperfections.


For the example of the "quiet American hero" in my life, please go to
this URL:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1932033122/qid%3D1058918741/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/103-6183551-6195032

Mr. McNeice was a postal carrier; our family went to the same church as his.
One day someone told me that "Mr. McNeice was a real tough guy in WWII in the paratroopers"
I didn't believe a word of it until I saw him listed as a reference in the back of one
of Cornelius Ryan's books (can't remember if it was The Longest Day or A Bridge Too Far).
Turned out he survived four combat jumps in the European Theater...a very elite brotherhood.
When "Saving Private Ryan" came out, my brother quibbled about Tom Hanks as the lead.
I said to him "Look, Tom Hanks look about as much like a stone-killer as Jake McNeice does."
My brother said..."You've got a point."
64 posted on 07/22/2003 5:14:07 PM PDT by VOA
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To: MEG33
Why so many dashed to beleive the WP when they broke the story I don't know.
65 posted on 07/22/2003 5:14:31 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorisim by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: the outsider
How many book/movie/chat show/interview deals has she signed up for and has she got an agent?

According to the news this a.m., the Lynch family has refused ALL interviews and all offers from the media for book deals, movie deals, etc. What they will do in the future, I don't know. If she is still healing, and perhaps disabled for a long time, I wouldn't blame her for any monetary advantage she took of the situation. She has to survive.

66 posted on 07/22/2003 5:15:36 PM PDT by PLK
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To: VOA
BUMP for the mailman!
67 posted on 07/22/2003 5:16:05 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
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To: Destro
Who are you mad at?
68 posted on 07/22/2003 5:16:21 PM PDT by MEG33
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To: VOA
Mr. McNeice was a postal carrier; our family went to the same church as his. One day someone told me that "Mr. McNeice was a real tough guy in WWII in the paratroopers"

We have a CMOH recipient here in our area. He's one of the biggest a-holes there are around here. I guess that's the type it takes to get a CMOH in some cases. I'm grateful for his service though, just don't want to be around him in a restaurant or such. :^)

69 posted on 07/22/2003 5:18:04 PM PDT by #3Fan
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To: MEG33
Who said I was mad? Amused is more like it.
70 posted on 07/22/2003 5:18:24 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorisim by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: Destro
You haven't said anything about the "other" Lynch to receive a Bronze Star. Why not?
71 posted on 07/22/2003 5:20:05 PM PDT by Prodigal Son
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
BUMP for the mailman!

...and all the future mail-persons, teachers, and heros doing the toughest military job:
winning the peace in an unsettled country
72 posted on 07/22/2003 5:21:09 PM PDT by VOA
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To: VOA
May they come home soon...
73 posted on 07/22/2003 5:24:23 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
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To: Prodigal Son
He did something!!!!! She sat on her seat!!!! What did she do???? I mean you still have to perform a "meritorious achievement or service". Surviving a car crash is not a "meritorious achievement or service". What was hers?
74 posted on 07/22/2003 5:25:20 PM PDT by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorisim by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: joesnuffy
Several months ago I went through the records of awards made to the 100th/442nd on behalf of an elderly person still concerned about her brother's experience at Monte Casino.

Only looked for two - CIB and PH.

It's fair to say they are both quite objectively awarded. That's why they are respected.

75 posted on 07/22/2003 5:25:32 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Destro
Here's more:

Fort Bliss awards medals to 13 'heroes'

http://www.elpasotimes.com/stories/borderland/20030703-132016.shtml

The ground rattled and hearts burst with pride Wednesday as 75 mm howitzers thunderously declared Fort Bliss' commemoration of the birth of the United States with a 50-gun salute.

The Army post also honored 13 of its soldiers who distinguished themselves in action in Iraq.

"For 228 years, American soldiers have answered the call to free the oppressed and light the path to freedom," said Gen. Larry R. Ellis, Forces Command's commanding general, before an audience of about 300 at Fort Bliss' annual Fourth of July celebration at Memorial Circle.

"Every generation has its heroes, and this one is no different," Ellis said. "These men and women are soldiers who set aside their personal safety. They risked their lives and suffered much to save Iraqi citizens ... (and) their heroism demands our respect and reminds us of our soldiers who are still overseas."

Under a blazing July sun, the 13 soldiers -- nine members of the 507th Maintenance Company and four members of the 76th Military Police Battalion -- stood at attention as, one by one, they received some of the nation's most prestigious awards for their actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The soldiers who fought to the last bullet and risked their lives to protect comrades were awarded Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and Prisoner of War medals. Pfc. Patrick Miller, of the 507th, received the Silver Star Medal, the nation's fourth-highest award for bravery.

According to the military, the Silver Star is awarded to a soldier who is "cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force."

The maintenance company, which suffered some of the heaviest losses of any unit in Iraq, was traveling toward Baghdad in a convoy when the soldiers were ambushed March 23 near Nasiriyah. Nine soldiers were killed, six were taken prisoner and four were wounded.

Fort Bliss officials said Miller was in the rear of the convoy and manually fed rounds into the chamber of his weapon to protect two fellow soldiers. When captured, Miller, who had radio frequencies written inside his helmet, told his Iraqi captors that the highly sensitive numbers were the prices for water pumps.

Spc. Shoshana Johnson, who was shot in the ankle, was steadied by Ellis as he presented her awards -- the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. Her father, Claude Johnson, said he was happy to see his daughter recognized.

"I'm not just proud of Shona, I'm proud of everybody," he said. "These guys did tremendous things. Somehow, you feel that it is not fair that everybody's not getting the same thing. There're (soldiers still in Iraq) risking their lives as well."

Spc. Edgar Hernandez, who received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal, proudly presented his awards to his new wife and his family, who arrived Tuesday afternoon from Alton, Texas, for the ceremony.

"I think all of the soldiers deserved the recognition because they made such large sacrifices," said Hernandez's father, Jose, who celebrates his birthday July 4.

"It's not only my day of birth but the birth of the United States," he said. "We thank God for that day because it is a great day for all of the nation."




Soldiers honored
The 507th Maintenance Company was traveling toward Baghdad in a convoy on March 23 when the soldiers were ambushed near Nasiriyah. Nine soldiers were killed, six were taken prisoner and four were wounded. These soldiers were honored for their actions in combat:


Spc. Shoshana Johnson, 30, of El Paso received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Pfc. Patrick Miller, 23, of Wichita, Kan., received the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Sgt. Matthew Rose, 37, of Salem, Ore., received the Bronze Star with Valor Device.

Sgt. James Riley, 31, of Pennsauken, N.J., received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Sgt. Curtis Campbell, 27, of Brooklyn, N.Y., received the Bronze Star.

Spc. Joseph Hudson, 23, of Alamogordo received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Spc. Edgar Hernandez, 22, of Mission, Texas, received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Spc. James Grubb, 21, of Manchester, Ky., received the Bronze Star.

Cpl. Francis Carista, 21, of Rahway, N.J., received the Purple Heart.
June 4, two soldiers from the 76th Military Police Battalion came under fire and received shrapnel wounds while in a Humvee on a routine patrol mission in support of the 4th Infantry Division north of Baghdad.


Pfc. Candice May, 21, of Winter Haven, Fla., received the Purple Heart.

Spc. Alan Raymond Hill, 20, of Dunseith, N.D., received the Purple Heart.
June 5, soldiers from the 76th Military Police Battalion came under fire and two soldiers received shrapnel wounds defending a water plant in Balad, Iraq.


Pfc. Jeremy Bristol, 21, of McKinney, Texas, received the Purple Heart.

Spc. Pedro Rodriguez, 22, of El Paso received the Purple Heart.
76 posted on 07/22/2003 5:25:48 PM PDT by Prodigal Son
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To: #3Fan
We have a CMOH recipient here in our area. He's one of the biggest a-holes there are around here.

Oh, I'm sure there are some of those around.
By the way, have you ever checked with the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum in Colorado
(in Pueblo, I think) to see if it's legit? (OK, probably a 99.9% chance it is).

I know that sounds like an ugly thought, but after that book "Stolen Valor"
about how some slimy folks were making their way in life based on Vietnam-era service they
never did...I go for the old Reagan "trust, but verify".
77 posted on 07/22/2003 5:25:49 PM PDT by VOA
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To: VOA
That book blew my mind.
78 posted on 07/22/2003 5:27:26 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
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To: Destro
The original post was that Lynch's bronze medal should have gone to Walters.That doesn't convey amusement.
79 posted on 07/22/2003 5:27:36 PM PDT by MEG33
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To: Prodigal Son
Good for them.
80 posted on 07/22/2003 5:28:25 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
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