Posted on 12/11/2007 12:56:24 PM PST by Straight Vermonter
Three American soldiers were awarded Silver Stars for valor in that battle. Their actions are detailed in official Army accounts drawn from eyewitness reports, radio transmissions and other corroborating evidence used as a basis for awarding the medals.
These one- or two-page "narratives," as they are called, are the best accounts of American battlefield heroism. Apart from those who wear the Silver Star - the third-highest decoration for valor - few people even know the accounts exist.
But the Army won't let you read any Silver Star narratives. Though most are not classified, they are kept filed away from public view, a practice being challenged in Congress.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
I have to wonder if leftist paper pushers at the Pentagon are preventing these stories from being told.
It’s (somewhat) understandable. It could contain information on locations, names, tactics etc.
Where are the Alvin Yorks, the Audie Murphys, the Pappy Boyington's and the Snuffy Smiths of the modern era? They're out there, I guarantee, but DoD has really lost a golden opportunity to publicly recognize them. And then the bureaucrats sit and whine and moan all day about how we are losing the information war in GWOT.
This is why!
The military has it’s own section in our local paper.
http://www.fayobserver.com/military
Most award ceremonies are covered by the local paper and they have pictures.
Plus info is published in the Fort Bragg paper - the PraGlide.
Go downtown to eat and you’ll be surrounded by lots of guys and gals who are serving.
An award narrative is a very specific thing. It is what goes on the award certificate that is presented to the soldier. It belongs to him.
Anything related to good or bad things that happen during or associated with military operations are the responsibility of Army Public Affairs offices and having nothing to do with award narratives.
The Sun is just trying to make an issue out of nothing.
And terrorists and lib terrorists sympathizers lose a chance to harm their families.
This is a different kind of war....
It is up to the recipient or surviving family members if the narrative is made public. I am only familiar with a one page write-up though there may be two page narratives.
The Silver Star is awarded. There are no winners of military awards.
I agree.
Although I sorta understand the reasoning behind the policy since I would not put it past Al Qaeda to send hit squads after award winners family members, I think this is, all in all, a very stupid policy.
As you note where are the stories of SGT Paul R. Smith, Lcpl Jason L. Dunham and Michael P. Murphy? I just finished reading Luttrell’s book on LT. Murphy, but I have not seen much from the DOD.
It sounds as if the media is wanting more information which isn't always a good thing.
Yep they want to know if an auto-fire assault weapon was used! Our Hero's had an unfair advantage if they did!
Just ask John Kerry.
This is the addy of the Sgt Major of the Army, unless he is a total scumbag, as were some in my day, he might address the problem. Mention the Chaplin's that got the BS with the V for a fly by.
Perhaps it would give away operational details?
Where are the Alvin Yorks, the Audie Murphys, the Pappy Boyington’s and the Snuffy Smiths of the modern era?
The cynic in me says this is to make it easier for rear echelon brass to decorate themselves for two hour field trips outside the green zone.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.