Army awards Tillman posthumous Silver Star

CNN ^ | April 30, 2004 | CNN

[Plumrodimus]

Seems to me he should have had the Corporal rank beforehand. I know they dropped all the Specialist ranks except E-4, but didn't know the Rangers still used the Specialist rank.

Yeah, I've wondered that myself since it mentions he was a team leader. I found the following at http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/armypromotions/a/armypromotions_2.htm which still makes me wonder why he wasn't a Corporal.

An E-4 can be either a "specialist" or a "corporal" in the Army. So, what's the difference? Well, they both get paid the same. However, a corporal is considered a noncommissioned officer and a specialist is not. A corporal has more authority under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and has a greater degree of leadership responsibility. An E-4 is normally designated an NCO (corporal) if they are a team or section leader. Corporals are more common amongst the Combat Arms, but many Combat Support MOS's (jobs) may have them.

[SAMWolf]

Corporals are more common amongst the Combat Arms, but many Combat Support MOS's (jobs) may have them.

That was my understanding too

[ducks1944]

God has sent us many Tillman's! There are many just like him the media just don't tell us about them. God Bless Pat Tillman and many more like him now serving all around the World! And God Bless there families! Who give so mu______________ch! !

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Where is that in Kerry's third and final SS citation?

[RayChuang88]

There is a quote that truly sums up Ranger Tillman's sacrifice: "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." - Gen. George S. Patton

More appropriate words could not be said.

[HRoarke]

Say what you want about McCain's politics...any Hanoi Hilton POW deserves as much respect as they can be given. I would never compare him to Kerry.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Most of the Medals of Honor awarded during the Civil War were later dropped from the rolls as undeserved. One whole company received them as a reenlistment inducement.

[cynicom]

Adm. Jerimah Denton was there and disagrees with you.

[wardaddy]

BTTT

[cgk]

Bump...

[donsipe]

Having served as a Company Commander in Nam, and as a Survival Assistance Officer, state side. I can tell you that all special efforts are made to speedly process any awards due for a killed comrade. The goal is to get them so that they may be presented at the funeral.

[RetiredArmy]

McCain still hold it against the reds in Hanoi for his treatment in the POW camps. And, he should. How he could even talk to someone like fnKerry who was anti-war and his words were used against those very same POWs to include McCain, how can McCain even look this punk in the face without spitting in it and then punching him right in the nose is beyond me. If I had been McCain, the first time we were introduced, the headlines would have read: Former POW Senator punches Anti-war senator in the nose!!!

[Finalapproach29er]

Somebody here has to find out how it happened. It will be a tear-jerker, I expect. I've got to know.

[Finalapproach29er]

Oops. Never mind.

[Libertina]

My respects to this brave man.

[Joy Angela]

Pat Tillman

A man who lived as a Hero.

[FormerACLUmember]

THE RANGER CREED

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor.

[railsplitter]

Speaking of worker bees, I was out hiking across a snow packed golf course one bright, especially cold and clear winter day in Illinois, when I came across an unusual site. At the base of a large tree were perhaps a hundred or more bees. They had been evicted within hours of my discovering them, and they didn't fare very well. All were frozen.

Seems they were worker bees (drones) and the hive was running low on honey... guess who drew the short stick ? By design, the worker bees get the old heave when the going gets rough.

Kind of like the ranks eh ? :0)

[HRoarke]

Whether McCain went above and beyond can be debated (and he admits he did nothing that others didn't do) but he still did the time. I've got tremendous respect for Denton and have read his book twice but being in a POW camp is being in a POW camp, a far cry from anything John Kerry ever did. Not everyone can be Stockdale...

[Ciexyz]

A true hero. God bless him and his family.