General Stanley McChrystal with Defense Minister Karl-Theodor Baron zu Guttenberg
Gold and Silver Honour Cross of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Force)
Posted on 04/22/2010 5:02:22 AM PDT by wolf78
Fourteen U.S. soldiers were honored Wednesday for risking their lives to help German soldiers in a firefight, according to The Associated Press.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal accepted the country’s Gold Cross on behalf of the soldiers after meeting with German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg in Berlin.
The Gold Cross medal is one of Germany’s highest awards for valor, and this is the first time foreign troops have ever been given this award.
U.S. medics braved fire from Taliban fighters to help bring wounded Germans to safety near the city of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan on April 2.
(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...
Given the recent news about many German soldiers subtly questioning or protesting their involvement in Afghanistan, it doesn't seem likely that they will be subject to this honor anytime soon.
What a fantastic tribute. First time ever. That is saying something. Good work all.
Neat medals!
The Germans are still number one in that department.
Janet Napolitano will probably have them confiscated.
When was the most recent Medal of Honor given to a live hero?
I was thinking, since she believes military personnel are terrorists, she’d look at the crosses as something promoting that.
Patton had all sorts of foreign medals. I don’t think he could actually affix them to his uniform, tho.
“I guess if a General accepts them on the soldiers’ behalf, that means that it’s ok for US soldiers to accept foreign decorations?”
During WWII many US troops were awarded medals from foreign governments. I believe it is still allowed today with approval from the command.
Suspect our troops remain deployed. They were either uninformed of the ceremony or denied leave/TAD. In truth, all US forces in uniform are heros.
Perhaps you didn't read the story correctly. So, here is the part you choose to ignore, "help bring wounded Germans to safety near the city of Kunduz." Therefore, your GERMAN bashing is in appropriate.
In fact let me remind you of an incident a few months ago where GERMAN ground forces call in a air strike against a fuel convoy that had been attacked by Taalybaaan (said with a KENYAN accent) and was being looted by the rag heads. YOUR military and COMMIE PRESS corpse wants to charge the GERMAN commander for killing pooooor (taalybaaan) civilians.
YOUR military ROE, BEFORE attack they are taalybaaan, AFTER attack they morph into, pooooor civilians.
With GERMAN bashing like yours, and the KENYAN illegal alien, cry baby, Communist in charge, I don't blame "many German soldiers subtly questioning or protesting their involvement in Afghanistan."
AND, where is the your so-called news story of, "many German soldiers subtly questioning or protesting their involvement in Afghanistan?" Or, did you make that part up to justify your GERMAN bashing?
Nope. Not GERMAN bashing. Still have some relatives who live there and serve in the Bundeswehr and even the Landespolizei.
AND, where is the your so-called news story of, "many German soldiers subtly questioning or protesting their involvement in Afghanistan?"
There are good and brave servicemen from other countries who are allied with our great country and engaging the enemy. My comment is directed at those who who somehow feel it's appropriate to openly display seemingly "political" views on their uniforms in defiance of orders. Especially, when it is apparent what we are fighting against.
40 years ago, the same noise was heard in the fight against encroaching communism. Now it is the violence and tyranny of Islam. I shouldn't think it takes a political head of state to convince those sworn to the defense of their country what they are fighting for.
If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. So be it.
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