The real hero behind the 'bravery' of Private Jessica

The Daily Telegraph ^ | 27/07/2003 | Julian Coman

[zoen]

I don’t know or care how the media played this. And my thoughts and prayers are with everyone over there and all people serving this country.

I do think that this young girl probably suffered other things a male soldier wouldn’t have in the first day or days of being at the mercy/whim of these people.

Im glad she was with palls that tried to defend her and themselves in this situation.

I would think I would have done the same if I was there.

[Iwo Jima]

My money's on OldCorps. CWOJackson has been hiding behind Pfc Lynch's skirts this entire thread to try to shut down anyone who has a different perspective on some very complex issues.

FWIW, I personally don't have that big a problem with Lynch getting the BSM because I understand that it has become something different over time and is sort of like an honorable discharge at this point. But other people have legitimate questions or even complaints, and that is their right.

[OldCorps]

lets hope the posthumous award to SGT Walters was an interim award pending an investigation to see if a higher award like a DSC or Silver Star should be awarded.

[Howlin]

Yes, they did.

[CWOJackson]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but the only thing that really matters is that the Army decided she was deserving of the award and issued it to her. In the end, their decision trumps all opinion.

[CWOJackson]

Evening Howlin.

[Howlin]

Good evening, kind sir!

[CWOJackson]

I see the mangy one is making a fool of himself on the Day in the Life Thread. He never learns.

[Iwo Jima]

I don't question the decision, but others have and, you know, it's a free country. I have found your conduct on this thread to be unbecoming. I have said my piece and now I am done.

[Howlin]

Uh huh.

[CWOJackson]

Glad you find it unbecoming, I find some of the comments made about Private Lynch disgusting. I guess it's all in perspective.

[takenoprisoner]

Me too. But the problem is that she has become what amounts to the poster child for the Iraqi war...when we all know there are more deserving. At least in the past there were more deserving.

No, not her fault. She's a victim of circumstance.

Meantime we still having a missing pilot from 91 in Iraq.

If we need a poster, it should be someone like Scott.

[jwh_Denver]

I would like to see more recognition of the real Heroes of the ambushed convoy.

What the hell is going on here? Has serving in the Armed Forces become a recognition thing? Most of the real heroes of any war are forgotten or not given the recognition they deserve. Many that get the recognition may not deserve it compared to someone in their unit that fought harder and smarter and died. The spoils of war are not medals, parades, or the like. It's knowing you did your best in a very trying situation. Stuff that recognition crap.

[CWOJackson]

That's been part of my point all along.

All along Private Lynch has just done her duty. She was injured in combat, taken away from all other contact with other POWs and according to witnesses at the hospital itself, tortured...and throughout all of this she constantly maintained that she was a United States soldier.

Now she's forced into the spot light and is doing her duty when I'm sure she would just as soon be left alone to recover and grieve for the best friend she lost.

And at the same time the Air Force is passing out Bronze Stars like candy in a parade, even to an airman in Ohio for their contribution in Iraq from the frontlines of Dayton, Ohio. But I don't see anyone questioning that or many other similar awards of the Bronze Star that have been documented on this thread by those who are simply questioning whether that young soldier deserves hers.

[takenoprisoner]

Lynch is media hype promoted for whatever motive by the DOD.

Whatever the circumstance which has led her to this distinction, (beyond her real injuries sustained in the vehicle accident), she will do her duty and take her place.

Meantime, some may disagree freely that she is or is not deserving of the distinctions placed upon her. In this case, I question the motive for this distinction, and not what Lynch may have done or not done deservedly or undeservedly.

You know me, it's just my nature.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

This story gets curiouser and curiouser.

[CWOJackson]

The only reason I don't believe the Army gave her the medal for hype is because it is the Bronze Star. If there were trying to play her up as some sort of special hero it would be an award higher then what they are giving to airmen in Ohio. Now if they gave her the Silver Star it would be in my nature to be suspicious as well.

Good thing she's not a cop, you and I would get thrown into the cooler.

[takenoprisoner]

Does a POW auto qual for Bronze?

[OldCorps]

No. They do almost automatically get the POW medal.

[CWOJackson]

That is not a specific criteria for awarding the Bronze Star; the criteria is based on personal conduct and performance. Most of the ex-POWs were awarded the Bronze Star or higher awards; which I assume are based on their personal conduct and behaviour in the face of the enemy. So apparently someone in authority has determined that the behaviour of these POWs did indeed merit at least that award.

Although normally associated with direct combat action, the Bronze Star is routinely awarded for non-combat actions which is why there is the "V" device to distinquish the nature of performance being recognized. However, the Bronze Star is traditionally the lowest award that is usually given for actions performed in combat which her actions would indicate.

Her award could have been awarded by any commander with that level of issuing authority, however, it most likely still processed through an awards board where merit was measured against established criteria.