Jessica Lynch Awarded Bronze Star !

Kansas City Star ^ | 7/22/2003 | Gavin McCormick

[snopercod]

Thanks. Like many folks, I thought that award was for heroism. That's why I love FR - misconceptions usually get straightened out in short order.

When I worked at the Kennedy Space Center, our group secretary was awarded the Silver Snoopy - for being a good secretary (which she was). That particular award was originally given by the astronauts themselves to someone who exhibited exeptional performance regarding flight safety - saved a mission or something like the mission controllers for Apollo 13 did.

Now they give them out like party favors (to women and minorities - white males need not apply) that did nothing at all to deserve that kind of award.

I guess that's why I'm overly skeptical of this kind of stuff.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Meanwhile, there you sit, bravely hunkered down behind your keyboard, typing. And all those guys in Iraq will get their just reward from the DoD, but without the fanfare. I don't understant your bitterness.

Petty, childish jealousy.

[Euro-American Scum]

The awarding of spurious medals only cheapens the honor of those who deserved them. She did nothing to deserve the medal.

The frequency of the awarding of this decoration has been on the increase since Vietnam. It means virtually nothing today.

The DOD took the black beret away from the Rangers and gave it to anyone. And there was talk after the Lynch rescue of awarding her the Medal of Honor in some sick, real-life, life-imitates-art perversion of Courage Under Fire.

Just another indication of dumbing down the standards of excellence to enhance everyone's self-esteem.

[xsrdx]

we would willingly put our lives on the line knowing the only physical reward we would see might be a piece of medal attached to a ribbon that was pinned to our chests.

Napoleon.

A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.

[xsrdx]

It means virtually nothing today.

OK, well, if you say so...

If you've earned one, or a higher award, fine - otherwise your comment means "virtually nothing".

[Blood of Tyrants]

I don't blame her. But I have not read a single credible post from an eyewitness to the account of her "heroism" nor have I read the written commendation that specifically describes what was done to earn that Bronze star. IMO the award is a bone thrown to the feminazis.

[homeschool mama]

She was a POW, RK. Or do you think that's a lie?

[austinTparty]

Funny how all the commentary is complaining because the bronze star was awarded to a woman. No big outcry over the same medal being awarded to men under the same circumstances. Further: there are many women deployed in Iraq about whom we hear nothing. Because they are simply doing their jobs. No one should be sent to do a job for which they are incompetent (i.e. don't meet the mental or physical requirements to actually accomplish the job), but all this B.S. about women in the military is posturing. The same thing was said about blacks in the military and Jews and Asians and whatever else.

During WWII, women operated with great distinction as intelligence agents in the field (i.e. spies). Many were tortured, raped and killed. Why is it assumed that a woman who is raped is worse than a man who is brutalized? Those who are dwelling on the "possible rape" scenario are IMHO experiencing some perverse enjoyment, along the lines of "that's what those women deserve for having dared enter a man's military." Sick. Really sick.

[homeschool mama]

You have issues.

[Don Corleone]

Purple Heart...YES! Bronze Star....NO!!!!

[DeathfromBelow]

No lower than "I was there medals" awarded to most officer corp, usually on the backs of their people.

[Rodney King]

She was a POW, RK. Or do you think that's a lie?

I'm not sure what I said that would make you think I disputed her award of the POW medal

[Rodney King]

You have issues

So do you. I'd be interested to know if, as a homeschool mama, you approve of the way public schools pass everybody, and award all the kids dubious awards for simply being there, rather than for achievement above and beyond their other classmates. It relates to this issue.

[homeschool mama]

**I'm not sure what I said that would make you think I disputed her award of the POW medal **

You've said over and again that she got medals based on her being a cute white woman. You have issues with white women? Or women in the military in general?

[DeathfromBelow]

Fourteen soldiers, including some who protected their comrades, fought to the last bullet and braved mortar fire were awarded Silver Stars, Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts. The Silver Star is the nation's fourth-highest award. Riley, 31, received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. Riley was the highest ranking soldier on the 507th Maintenance Company convoy.

http://www.southjerseynews.com/issues/july/m070303g.htm

[Khurkris]

I can understand the Purple Heart. But I would be very interested in what the citation for the Bronze Star actually says on it.

Nobody asked me, but I am not very impressed with all the hoopla concerning Ms. Lynch. It sounded like a goat cluster that just got worse as it went on.

[snooker]

So maybe the Army who awarded the bronze star knows more than you?

[DeathfromBelow]

I've seen 3 bronze stars in my life. One was an USAF EOD guy from Desert Storm who had 2. He would have got them even under strict award criteria. The other was an Army Captain who got his during Desert Storm in Bradleys. Both guys are good friends.

I've seen some 50 different individuals receive the Navy's Legion of Merit, some 2nd and 3rd awards, but I still can't tell you what they did to get them. I do know that they deserved them however.

[Rodney King]

You've said over and again that she got medals based on her being a cute white woman. You have issues with white women? Or women in the military in general?

It's quite clear that I was talking about the bronze star. So take a deep breath and relax. Also, if you bother to read the thread you will see that I have recanted my belief that she should not get it, as FReepers have demonstrated that in fact they give out bronze stars like candy.

[homeschool mama]

Passing students in government school has no bearing on the issue of Pvt Lynch receiving medals for her service in our military. Shoshana Johnson received the silver star (or was it bronze?). Do you have issues with that as well? The male soldiers received medals as well. Do you have issues with that? Or is it just women you have issues regarding the giving of medals?

We have NO idea exactly what transpired when Lynch was held as a POW. We DO know her injuries are severe and that most likely she was tortured in a horrendous way. We've have to wait and learn more, won't we? So perhaps your tune will change when the whole story comes out some day, hmmmm?