Lynch Receives Bronze Star Before Homecoming (What for?!!)

KFOXTV.com ^ | 07/22/03 | KFOXTV.com

[Destro]

Lynch Receives Bronze Star Before Homecoming

Pfc. Jessica Lynch is returning home Tuesday, newly decorated for heroism in Iraq.

A member of Ft. Bliss' 507th Maintenance Company, Lynch was captured during the attack on a portion of the unit in Nasiriyah, Iraq on March 23rd. She was rescued from captivity on April 1st.

On Monday, Pfc. Lynch received the Bronze Star for heroism, Purple Heart for being wounded in combat, and P.O.W. Medal at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where she has been treated for more than three months. KFOX will have a full report on Private Lynch's homecoming Tuesday night on KFOX News at Nine.

[TomServo]

higher?

Higher - I believe (if I heard correctly). Didn't catch rank or Name.

[MEG33]

They award them for many things, one being meritorious service.

[RepublicanHippy]

What vested interest makes you want to perpetuate the Lynch myth?


What "vested interest" makes you want to destroy the Lynch "myth"? you hateful little man.

[discostu]

And you show your ignorance again.

That's why there are different awards. Just getting injured gets you an award. Just passing bootcamp gets you an award. Just being in the service during combat but not necessarily near combat gets you an award (one my cousin affectionality refers to as the "CNN award"). Just being in the service during combat near it but not in it gets you an award. Each award has it's own level of honor that goes with it, some are just good for making your dress uniform look good, and it accelerates from there to causing the highest ranking officer to salute the recipient first.

While only the dumbest of soldiers WANT a Purple Heart you shouldn't denigrate the recipients by implying they didn't earn it.

[optimistically_conservative]

Thanks for pointing this out, I had not heard this before. What a GREAT story!

Toby Keith sings duet with former POW at homecoming

[RepublicanHippy]

ping

[southernnorthcarolina]

Thank you for your well-reasoned response.

I don't wish to leave the impression that I am opposed to the recognition of extraordinary accomplishment in the military field, or anywhere else, for that matter. There are those, for instance, who are opposed to the recognition of high school or college valedictorians. That's not me; I have no problem with singling out those deserving of special recognition.

What I do have a problem with is the apparently widespread notion that the military brass is bending the guidelines on behalf of Pfc. Lynch. Most if not all of the detractors have no way of knowing the details of her ordeal, nor do I. That being the case, I am inclined to let those who are in a position to know call the shots on such matters.

I thank Jessica Lynch for her service. And I thank Kevin Curry for his.

[optimistically_conservative]

It's fascinating to see comparisons of awards between war veterans.

Really, do the WWII vets disparage the awards of Korean Vets for their "police action" that only lasted a few years? Or the Vietnam Vets, with their 6 month "tours." And now, with the sacrifice of all those that went before us, we stand alone victors of the Cold War, the lone superpower, with our mini-wars and ground combat lasting a mere weeks? How can these "modern" warriors really compare with those who's life expectancy was significantly shorter than their expected tour of combat duty?

For me, how more meaningful is a piece of ribbon compared to the story I'll tell at the local bar, or to my grandkids? Which is really more important?

[Destro]

1). "No - and I never deserved one. Just like Jessica Lynch"

2). "No - but I'm sure if I was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed cutie who got lost and hit the back of another vehicle, I would've received one"

[Destro]

I am hateful at the false myth. Deeds matter.

[dwilli]

Many officers, especially staff officers, have suddenly found Silver Star, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts mysteriously
appear in their service jacket.

[#3Fan]

Was Miller the one that Lynch was mistaken for, killing the enemy near the Humvee? Or did that soldier not survive? Walters' mom thinks it was her son, but a few days ago I was under the impression that it was Miller.

[Prodigal Son]

"No - and I never deserved one. Just like Jessica Lynch"

You're saying that the Army was wrong to award her this medal?

"No - but I'm sure if I was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed cutie who got lost and hit the back of another vehicle, I would've received one"

And what of the other soldiers in her unit that received the award?

[#3Fan]

"No - but I'm sure if I was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed cutie who got lost and hit the back of another vehicle, I would've received one"

Everyone has a nickle but me! (paraphrasing Bill Cosby in his early career)

[MEG33]

I am sorry you didn't get the opportunity to decide who deserved the medals.I never have heard how you view the others in the unit who received Bronze Stars.Your expertise and insight should be shared on their qualifications for their medals.

[discostu]

No you're just hateful. It's now been established in this thread by multiple people who honorably served that she earned the medal. Get over it.

[Destro]

It's now been established in this thread by multiple people who honorably served that she had not earned the medal.

[Jorge]

Great thread. Perhaps you should start a petition to strip Pfc.Lynch of her Bronze Star.....

[optimistically_conservative]

Was Miller the one that Lynch was mistaken for, killing the enemy near the Humvee? Or did that soldier not survive? Walters' mom thinks it was her son, but a few days ago I was under the impression that it was Miller.

I honestly don't know. Let's line them up and ask them, "Which one of you is Spartacus?"

[Destro]

Now that would be a challange! First let me get American troops out of the Balkans...one crusade at a time.