Mom says killed son mistaken for Lynch in Iraq (Sgt. Walters was the true hero)

The Herald-Dispatch ^ | Saturday, July 12, 2003 | BOB WITHERS

[Destro]

HUNTINGTON -- A Salem, Ore., mother believes her slain 33-year-old son, a U.S. Army sergeant serving in Iraq, was mistaken for Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch during the ambush in which she was injured.

The Washington Post initially reported Lynch, a Palestine, W.Va. native, emptied two pistols during a fierce gun battle with Iraqi fighters on March 23 and was shot and stabbed before she was captured.

[Prodigal Son]

Are you saying the Army should not be the one to make these decisions!!! I just told you of one soldier who was in my platoon who did nothing more than drive a track and get knicked in the heel with shrapnel yet he received a Bronze Star with V device. I guess because he had a pair of balls and hairy thighs, this is ok? The man in that article I posted acknowledged that his commander "gave" him the award for his end of tour award. You are full of sh!t if you think just building things qualifies for this award but being shot at, captured and held prisoner does not. You have some serious issues. This is obviously personal for you. I don't know what your own citation for the Bronze Star says but that's got to be what it is. You're jealous that she got it for her incident while you had to wipe out 20 enemy bunkers for yours. It's ugly though. Whatever your reasons- it's ugly.

[blam]

"And any inequities will work themselves out in time."

Good. I agree.

[Destro]

If hating women in combat is mysogynistic, so be it.

[#3Fan]

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".

This is a small town and he's always lived here I think, so I don't think he could've pulled it off. I don't know him very well, just that he had a 20 year old female friend of mine crying one day in a resaurant after one of his mini-tirades, and they were talking about him. It may be worth checking just for the heck of it though.

[MEG33]

Oh,Destro..You've exposed your motive!I see it now.Light a fuse and watch the fireworks..AMUSED you said!Well I hope you've been entertained by all this.Walter Reed Hospital would have you in stitches!

[Destro]

Read #29 and my #36 to get at my motivation.

[#3Fan]

He did something!!!!!

Just his job, things that are in his job description. Lynch was doing her job too and even sacrificed much more.

[MEG33]

#85 is my best take on this.

[Destro]

I am sorry. She did not do her job not because of anything she did but circumstances beyond her control did not allow her to.

[VOA]

That book blew my mind.

If your're talking about Jake McNeice's book...my dad and brother are reading it and
it's freakin' them out too.
As far as I know McNeice was pretty silent about his WWII service...but got coaxed
into saying a few words before some "local boys" before they were shipped out for service
in Gulf War I.
Before that...not a peep. He was the quiet guy who occassionally gave opening/closing
prayers at church, with his wife raised two "meek-and-mild" scholars, and
dropped mail off at your house during the week.

I think to some degree, the passing of time has given him some license to finally tell
his story...thank G-d.
And, if he was even half the hell-raiser he was during WWII, the other lesson I take
away is this: "It is no secret what G-d can do" when it comes to re-shaping a human being.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

Nope, I was talking about "Stolen Valor." I've got Ryans books though and I'm gonna look up Mr. McNeice.

[#3Fan]

I am sorry. She did not do her job not because of anything she did but circumstances beyond her control did not allow her to.

Her bravery in her recovery is good enough for me. If they can give one to an engineer for doing nothing more than his job description, then they can give one to Jessica for her bravery in her recovery.

[Destro]

Medals for healing....gotcha.

[MissAmericanPie]

Like his mom said, both are hero's for just being there. I don't think it's right to try to diminish either soldier, neither does this brave boys mother.

If the military decides to give out medals before all the facts are in, that's on them, not the two soldiers involved.

[#3Fan]

Medals for healing....gotcha.

You think it's OK for an engineer to get one for doing his job description. So how is your position better than mine? I think she's shown great courage and humbleness. Good enough for me.

[Prodigal Son]

How many other Bronze Star recipients are you complaining about?

Do you have a Bronze Star?

[#3Fan]

How many other Bronze Star recipients are you complaining about? Do you have a Bronze Star?

Let's go through the 1.1 million Bronze Stars and retract all the ones Destro doesn't agree with so he can feel better about himself. Sounds like a plan. :^)

[Prodigal Son]

I just want to examine his.

[#3Fan]

I just want to examine his.

Yeah, maybe he should be more forthcoming since he's the lead complainer.

[roses of sharon]

A Newsweek reporter said that her doctor was interviewed, and he said she was repeatedly beaten with the butt of a gun.

He said her injuries were severe from those beatings.

I agree with her medals, and the other brave soldier should have his story told also. It sounds like a simple translation error.

I am sure that there are hundreds of these stories we have not heard.