The real hero behind the 'bravery' of Private Jessica

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

[CWOJackson]

Air Force for 20 years, retired as a LtCol...

The Air Force stopped giving away awards like candy, they just created a whole pile of their own unique awards for such things like professional advancement (getting promoted earns you a medal now in the USAF).

[#3Fan]

That's interesting. I served in the Air Force for 20 years, retired as a LtCol, participated in the Gulf War and I don't ever recall a case of someone being awarded a Bronze Star for bumping their head on their vehicle and jamming their gun. I have a cousin who fought in Vietnam who did get a Bronze Star for walking through a live minefield to retrieve one of his buddies who had stepped on one of the mines. Maybe they've changed the rules since I was in. Maybe they give Bronze Stars away like candy now. But I doubt it.

All I can say is read the other posts on this thread. There are those that have them that don't have a problem with Jessica and hers.

[Polybius]

"the Iraqi dude that led them there." .......That dude really did some serious travelling on foot. Not only the 3 trips to save Jessica, but then returning home, and disappearing into the desert on foot with his family. (Endangering his life, his wife's & their daughter.)

U.S. military medals are not awarded to civilians but I certainly hope that that brave Iraqi was awarded a few thousand "Benjamin Franklin Awards for Meritorious Service"

[Arkie2]

Take away something she didn't earn? Why, the politically incorrect thought never crossed my mind /sarcasm/

[CWOJackson]

The Purple Heart is unique in and of itself. Only those who received wounds in combat (the only criteria) received that. The Bronze and Silver Stars are for individual actions and/or conduct.

[Poohbah]

No, that's some Army ribbon (not medal) that you get for completing Army boot camp.

[annyokie]

My husband had two DFCs and seven Bronze Stars. He sure as hell didn't earn them by getting thown off of a Humvee.

[protest1]

Thanks for the link about Sgt. Donald Walters.

[Arkie2]

How do you know she didn't yield under torture?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I understand; it's just that I thought there were perhaps two people in her unit that were not given Bronze Stars...I'll try to find that information again and see if I read it wrong.

[#3Fan]

Then why did you accept them? My husband refused his Purple Hearts because he was serving his country and doing his duty. What makes you special? You've already admitted you didn't earn your decorations.

If your father was wounded he should've accepted recognition for that. It's up to the military commanders who gets one and people should accept recognition.

[lawdude]

"How, exactly? Anybody could be in a vehicle accident and get captured."

This is the John McCain syndrome. All he did to attain HERO status was to crash a plane. I suspect virtually 100% of freepers could accomplish the same. After that he was a prisoner, alleged to have received somewhat better treatment than his co-prisoners.

[boxerblues]

guess I need to get off FR for a while a do a ittle military medal research :) have a good night

[CWOJackson]

After putting up with your attitude your husband probably though being wounded in combat was minor in comparison.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Being injured in a vehicular accident doesn't earn one a Bronze Star. See my previous post about the Bronze Star.

Apparently that is not why she was awarded the Bronze Star. To suggest that is to demean the efforts of all the soldiers who fight for your freedom.

I went over the report yesterday (from another thread) and if you would read it, you would learn that there are facts still being uncovered, and there is actually not even mention of PFC Lynch being captured, which we know she was. If they left that part out due to an ongoing investigatoin (which the official report says is still happening), then what else was left out? That she defended her fellow patriots?

Clam up until the facts are all in.

[Arkie2]

A little interservice slam?

[CWOJackson]

Never...

[#3Fan]

why don't you grow up and get a life. Obviously you've never served a day in uniform. Don't talk about things of which you are ignorant. It shows.

I can talk about what I want, it's what you served for. And based on your posts, I know more about this situation than you do. That's a disgrace. Don't you care enough to even stay informed?

[Arkie2]

You must be the king of cheap shots.

[HairOfTheDog]

My husband refused his Purple Hearts because he was serving his country and doing his duty. What makes you special? You've already admitted you didn't earn your decorations.

His humility makes him special, for one. His humble understatement of his own valor to have received three bronze stars in his career speaks a lot louder to me than your venom.

Thank you for your service CWOJackson.