Air Force wants a Medal of Honor recipient
The Washington Post reports that the Air Force, which hasn’t had a Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War has begun a review process of their recent seven Air Force Cross recipients in order to get one of the medals upgraded to a Medal of Honor.
The potential award comes after Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James ordered a review of valor awards for special operations Airmen, which include Pararescue jumpers and forward air controllers. According to the Air Force Times report, Air Force Special Operations Command found “new information” about one of the Air Force Cross recipients.
The Post has biographies of the seven candidates, all Air Force special forces types, many of whom we’ve discussed here.
The last Air Force Medal of Honor was awarded to Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger whose family received his MOH in 2010 for his actions in Vietnam on March 11, 1968, according to the Air Force Times. Etchbergar was killed while loading wounded into an evacuation helicopter under intense enemy fire.
I know the drone operator community is frustrated that none of their members are being considered for the Medal of Honor and actually, I’m shocked that they’re not in consideration. You know, because they’re so under-appreciated and a medal of honor would raise their morale considerably – the whole reason the Air Force exists, if you believe the media.
Category: Air Force
I’m sorry, I can’t hear you bastards over the sound of….
Glorious. The plane so tough the entire Pentagon STILL can’t kill it!
What’s next? The Coast Guard? Does the Air Force suffer from low self esteem? I wasn’t aware the MOH was awarded on the quota basis or just because it’s been a long time.
We give out way too many medals and ribbons these days to the point of being meaningless. My 201 file has all sorts of Letters of Appreciation and Commendation over the years. The pin on stuff has a lot more meaning because they were harder to earn. At least it used to be.
Now you get an ASR even though wearing the uniform means you completed training. NCOPD ribbons are as worthless because guess what? If you wear a particular rank, you had to complete the training! BSM’s are given for things that used to (maybe) qualify for an AAM.
I’m just getting old and grumpy. Good luck to the next generation.
I agree completely.
P.S. Since I’ve agreed with your comment, would you mind signing an affidavit for a BSM for me?
So the drone people think they should get a ph-cking Medal of Honor for playing video games? GIMME A BREAK, the Air Farce strikes again!!
The BSM has become a rank based award. I feel like I did more to earn my ARCOM for my first tour in Iraq than I did for my BSM for my second tour in Iraq. The only difference being that I was promoted between tours.
The BSM is an interesting award. The practice of awarding it has changed over time, but has been largely consistent since Vietnam.
When awarded for service the BSM has been largely rank-skewed ever since the creation of the MSM during Vietnam. To see why, take a look at the criteria for the BSM when awarded for service vice heroism and the criteria for award of the MSM. The criteria for award of the two decorations for service are damn near identical. Further, regulations prior to 2004 forbid award of the MSM in a combat zone. In effect, the BSM awarded for service became nothing but a “combat-zone MSM”. That’s been the case since about 1970.
You don’t see many junior troops (and damn few E5s) walking around wearing the MSM. That’s at least partly because few junior folks are in a critical enough position for their performance of duty to have sufficient impact to merit award of the MSM. (Rank skewing of awards for multiple other reasons also exists, but IMO this is the “biggie”.)
When awarded for Valor, different story. I’d have to see the breakout by rank to be sure, but I’m guessing that does NOT show the same degree of rank skewing as does award of the BSM for service. Instead, for the BSM w/V Device I’d guess what you see is more branch- and MOS-skewing – e.g., towards combat arms and combat support arms troops who deploy with combat arms units. I could well be wrong, but I’d have to see the data to know.
I am in no way saying a lot of folks didn’t earn a BSM. However, recent experience with a number of soldiers E-6 and up receiving it for administrative duties and “being there” sort of reduce it’s significance in my mind. It all depends on the unit and who does the paperwork.
As I noted above: when awarded for service, the BSM is nothing more than a combat-service MSM. (Again, award for valor is a different story.) The only difference today is whether the duties were performed during “combat service” (BSM) or “noncombat service” (MSM). Prior to 2004, the distinction was “combat zone service” or service outside a combat zone.
If the individual performed such that he/she would get a MSM in peacetime, then in my book the BSM is the correct award if the service was performed while at risk of getting shot by the enemy. If the performance was such to merit a lesser award during peacetime, a Commendation or Achievement medal is probably correct instead.
I’ve see the BSM abused multiple different ways. I’ve seen non-combat-zone BSMs awarded (USAF and USN/USMC, 1999 – now forbidden by law); people awarded BSMs who never were at risk of seeing enemy action (e.g., at Kuwait HQs); and people who served in bona fide combat areas (Iraq, Afghanistan) awarded an MSM instead of the BSM because of bogus “local policies” – and in two cases I know of, the individuals also received a combat badge. The problems with award of the BSM go far beyond rank skewing; that issue is at least partially understandable for non-valor BSMs. The others are, simply, ridiculous foolishness and inequity.
Anyway: “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.” (smile)
IMHO, the separation point for the MSM/BSM should likely be issuance of HF/IDP. I think the Army did a disservice to itself and caused much more consternation to commanders than what it was worth by authorizing the MSM in locations authorized HF/IDP.
If memory serves me correctly (always a risky assumption), wasn’t the MSM created as a result of what the Joint Staff leadership felt was a giving out of to many Legions of Merit for service during Vietnam?
From what I’ve read, L4C, that’s correct – partially. But not completely. The MSM was essentially a “LOM Lite” to recognize excellence in performance of noncombat duties lying between performance of duties clearly deserving a LOM and that deserving of a commendation medal. The BSM awarded for service (not valor) was already fulfilling that exact role in combat zones, but there was no equivalent outside a combat zone. Creating the MSM created that equivalent. Won’t swear that’s 100% correct, but it’s what I read and believe to be the case. I would agree with you re: HFP/IDP being the correct dividing line between MSM and BSM, with one caveat: we first clean house with respect to HPF/IDP designations. Iraq and Afghanistan? Significant threat of at least occasional hostile action, so yes. But the Central Asian Republics? Or Bosnia/Kosovo? Get real. Ditto for the Eastern Med and the Persian Gulf outside Iraqi territorial waters and (maybe) the Straits of Hormuz. Kuwait, Qatar, most of the rest of the Arabian Peninsula? From what I can gather (and from what I saw in 2007-2008), Yemen and maybe within 10 mi of the Iraqi border deserved HFP/IDP designation then and today. Otherwise, hardship duty pay is/was all that was really warranted. Outside of Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and the Iraq border region, there was no significant hostile threat – nor were there regular hostile acts. We’ve kept the HFP/IDP designation in place to “take care of the troops” with tax bennies in the CENTCOM AOR since freaking Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In truth, for most of the time it was largely an undeserved bennie in most of the CENTCOM AOR. Most of the AOR had no real threat of hostile action throughout the period. Outside of Iraq and Afghanistan (and maybe a few other hot spots), it was generally no worse than doing a year at any other remote site or hardship tour area. Hardship tours suck, but if you stay around long enough – guess what? Your number eventually comes up. When it does, deal with it; if you can’t, get out. Fix that, and… Read more »
I think that most of those HF/IDP area concerns were addressed within the last 18 months (i.e. all the Arabian Peninsula countries less Yemen lost HF/IDP as well as all “Stans” not AF/PAK).
Outside of Iraq/Afghanistan the remaining HF/IDP locations have very few US military assigned (often just the folks at the Embassy and rotational mission augmenters), but they are also much more exposed from a force protection standpoint and don’t have access to a QRF/MEDEVAC/Medical care; as such their risk is likely comparable or perhaps even greater than many in Iraq/AFG.
Also, just because you or I don’t see things in the press, doesn’t mean that Americans aren’t actively targeted in some of these locations.
While I agree the system was abused for years (especially in the CENTCOM AOR), I think DOD has it about as right as they can get it today. Though, it would be nice if it was much more targeted in terms of location, much like the Kuwait/Iraq border area rather than the entirety of a country.
Remember, no one wants to be called to a Congressional Committee after and incident to defend why they took a location of the HF/IDP list.
This whole string brings my point to a head. Awards should be either valor or service awards, but not both. When I see a BSM without ‘V’ device, I don’t give it much credit which isn’t necessarily right, but I’ve known too many who got it for being there. I knew an Army Major who received a service BSM for 32-days of service in Iraq. According to that criteria I should have a dozen or so.
Valor or service, but not both is my official stance on medals.
IMHO, I think the idea (back in the 40’s) that there needed to be a way to reward those who served just did their job everyday in the combat zone, but who didn’t necessarily have a discrete achievement/heroic act to hang their hat on.
Then you have a.h.’s like Kerry who award themselves a bronze star for shooting a wounded VC crawling off in the brush….another HERO THAT KERRY!!
You’re absolutely right! The only thing I think that should change is when soldiers make the ultimate sacrifice. There should be a specific medal for them.
Imagine the hopes of the pencilnecks who are poring over the material. “Lord, I know it’s too much to ask for a transsexual, but if we could only find one who gay in the group, we would appreciate it.”
Now why did ypu have to go and invoke the ‘good idea fairy’?
In sure they have somebody madly searching for say, a transgendered buck-toothed redheaded circus midget to fulfill their EO quota in awarding it!
That demographic is 99.9% in the SES and congressional staff offices…..
In every agency.
While during the Vietnam War, CMsgt Etchberger’s heroic actions did not occur in Vietnam. They occurred in a place where we were officially not present – in Laos, at a site called Lima Site 85. It was in Northern Laos approximately 15 miles (give or take) from the Laotian-North Vietnamese border, on the top of a mountain called Phou Pha Thi. The site was closer to Hanoi than any part of South Vietnam.
That site fell to NVA/Pathet Lao forces on the night of 10-11 March 1968. CMSgt Etchberger was instrumental in evacuating the last known friendlies from the site. He was struck by ground fire after the last evac bird lifted, and died enroute to friendly territory.
CMSgt Etchberger originally received the AF Cross for his heroism that day. He was originally recommended for the MoH, but that recommendation was reportedly downgraded by the USAF Chief of Staff “for political and security reasons”. Those were also the reasons that CMSgt Etchberger’s MoH was not reconsidered for 4 decades, and not awarded until 2011.
I’ve previously written about the evacuation of Lima Site 85. Like Desert One, in some ways that evacuation was a cluster – and like Desert One, it bit us square in the ass.
http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=34965
Good point HONDO!
And in the two cases of the Navy, same thing! Oh, and they were assigned out to other partners as well.
Although their citations remained classified for years after the actions, the word got out about their badassery, and the citations are now unredacted.
Reading such citations, one can only ask … Why only the CROSS.
Interesting, same thing happened to my uncle, Jon E. Swanson. Actions in Cambodia where we weren’t officially supposed to be, recommended for the MOH which was downgraded for political and security reasons. Upgraded to the MOH in 2002 at the same time his remains were finally found and interred at Arlington.
This is actually a very valid issue. We have seen it in the USA and USMC.
The Navy had the same problem in 2001 in the Afgan prison attack and on “Robert’s Ridge” in 2002.
One of the Air Force Crosses awarded during GWOT stemmed from Robert’s Ridge – TSgt John Chapman.
I think the better approach would be to presume that everyone in service should receive one and then allow for rebuttal of the presumption. For instance, the most common rebuttal would be a check box for “No combat.” Or, at the very least, since Jews, Hispanics, Blacks and who knows who else had their upgrade review based on a presumption of discriminatory practice, and now the USAF is engaging in upgrade review USAF, EVERYBODY gets a second and a third look-see.
There was only one Medal I made a deliberate and conscience effort to be awarded. I worked at it methodically, it took many years. I was challenged almost daily, temptation to seek other forms of recognition were constantly in my path.
I endeavored to persevere, sure enough after several enlistments and countless acts of selfless courage, I was able to put the only Medal that I really, really, worked for on my uniform.
THE MARINE CORPS GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
Careful Dave, or you are going to un-tarnish that reputation of yours.
Heh.
I got a good conduct medal. The bn Sgt Maj called me into his office, braced me at stiff attention, read me the riot act, then threw the boxed medal at me and said “no way in hell I’m giving that to you in public!”
That’s funny. Well, at least you got it one way or the other. Semper Fi.
Want’s a MOH recipient???
So they are going to “make it happen?”
I really have no problem with the USAF submitting one or more of those to the SECDEF for MoH consideration – PROVIDED that the individual’s actions merit it. We’ve been quite reluctant to award the MoH during the GWOT – perhaps too reluctant.
However, if this is being done by the USAF solely because “we want one for our service too” – it’s bullsh!t.
Amazing Pilot Saved His Wingman, At 20,000 Feet Pushed A Damaged Phantom By Its Tail Hook Out Of North Vietnam Of the 132 missions Bob Pardo flew in Vietnam with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, the most significant is that of March 10, 1967, when he and his with rear pilot 1st Lt Steve Wayne, were on a mission to attack the steel mills close to the North Vietnamese capitol of Hanoi. Flying as his wingman was Capt. Earl Aman and his “Guy in Back” Lt. Bob Houghton. The area around Hanoi was the best protected in military aviation history, and on that day enemy anti aircraft fire was the heaviest Captain Pardo had experienced in his many missions there. Before they arrived at the objective, the F-4 Phantom of Captain Aman’s was hit, but he managed to stay in formation. As they were closing in on the steel mill Aman’s F-4 was hit by ack-ack once more and his plane started to leak fuel. Then Pardo’s plane was hit as well yet he could proceed with the strike, however his F-4 was now leaking fuel too. When they were over 20,000 feet on their way out, it became evident that Aman did not have enough fuel make it to nearby Laos, where he and Houghton would be able to eject with a fair chance of being rescued by friendly troops. If they were to eject over North Vietnam, the chances of evading escape were slim and capture and, if they were lucky, a lengthy stay in a POW camp would await them. Pardo plane was not so severely damaged and he had enough full left to reach Laos where a tanker would await him, he could then refuel and reach his airbase. This would mean laving Aman and Houghton to a uncertain fate and this was not something Pardo would do. “How can you fly off and leave someone you just fought a battle with?” asks Pardo. He decided to remain with Aman for as long as he could and come up with a plan to get them to… Read more »
Pardo was one crazy s.o.b…that is one of the greatest stories in AF history, and it is rarely spoken of. Sad…
Thanks Dave.
What a great story to read and again it points out the sheer ingenuity of the American Serviceman when dealing with impossible situations.
Wow.
Balls.
Next thing ya know, Moerk will want an upgrade from ARCOM to BSM.
Afterall, the internet can be a scary and dangerous place…
If the review reveals that a MOH is warranted, so be it. I can remember reading award citations and wondering why it was not a Medal of Honor.
The problem with all of this is that people–whatever their motivation (e.g, USAF “Us too!)–are looking for fairness in result. Thus, reading one MOH citation, one can be flabbergasted when comparing it to another or, for that matter, a citation that brought a lesser medal. MacArthur received a Medal of Honor, and the citation reads like a Madison Ave ad. My point is that the fairness comes only on the process, not the result. Bad decisions are sometimes made regarding medals. No shit. Bad decisions are made by judges and juries, too. We have to live with it. That’s the system.
…My concern here isn’t so much that there’s no possible candidates as that some Twinkie at HQ USAF has already quietly made it clear that unless we’re talking commissioned aircrew here, don’t bother.
Mike
Not unlike when the Combat Action Medal was debuted. Supposed to got to non aircrew types engaging the enemy on the ground. Yet the first batch of recipients included aircrew, from refuelers iirc…
I agree with Twist. Every Bronze Star I saw awarded went to E-7’s and above. Most were service awards, though two were awarded with undeserved V devices to a pair of platoon sergeants simply because their 1SG wanted to hook up his friends.
I saw an E-5 awarded the Soldier’s Medal for pulling his men out of a burning vehicle after it struck a land mine. How that didn’t warrant a BSM is completely beyond me, and yes I’m aware that the soldiers medal is technically a “higher” award.
Service awards were given out very liberally, but valor awards were far too stingy.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/09/01/archives-first-airmen-die-combat-afghanistan/71519202/
Hondo,
I am with on all your point’s and know all the facts you are stating. I think if Army Joint Commands would use the DMSM more often than the BSM for merit would be better and give more value to the BSM-V.
I was attached to a Joint Army command Iraq 2010-2011. Had to go outside the wire every day by Convoy with my PSD(AEGIS World wide)every day to conduct meeting’s with MiTT teams and Iraqi Govt and local officials in the towns or at Mitt COP’s. Got hit 3 times once at a site other two IED and complex attack Direct IED hit.
My COC wanted to give me a BSM but the problem is the Navy takes up to 120 day’s so I just said look give me DMSM so I can turn that into my advancement board. My point is we should use this more often and it would make the BSM-V look better. Did I say I was happy and fine with that yes because do not think I would have merited one from the Navy.
Funny….the DMSM can only be given for non-Combat achievement or service per the 1977 EO and the DOD Awards manual (DODM 1348.33 Volume 1, Enclosure 3 para 11, page 42).
It was deemed a Joint command had a two stare so I think they new what they were doing and they gave it too the Navy, Marine and Aiefroce IA’s there were attached. Also had a female chief attached to a separate task force I new Law and Order task force she got one for some what the same reason. So some how it was a go around I know what the REG’S are but the other services would not approve the BSM for the most. Now mine probably would have got approved because of the Hit’s we took but did not have time and did not want it down graded to MSM. It was approved by the Navy and put in my NDAWS file and on record. They also gave a couple of Legion of merit’s to the 06’S that were attached. So some how they had approval for it in theater I am just saying rewrite the instruction a little and stop giving so many BSM’s NON-V away and maybe this would help. It also could have been because the Operations changed from OIF to New Dawn in Aug 2010.
I will also add that the Hit’s are in the write up.
Have to absolutely disagree. Award of the DMSM for combat service is an abuse of the award system. As L4C notes, the intent of the DMSM is to reward noncombat service. What you describe is most definitely combat service.
You got jobbed by your former command, but you’re not alone. I served with an individual who also got jobbed the same way – he served in Iraq in a joint command (early on as I recall, so probably not the same one) and deserved the BSM for his service there. He also ended up with the DMSM because his joint chain-of-command couldn’t figure out how to award him the BSM he rated.
It does not state you cannot issue in a Combat Zone and the big thing is JDA/JTF.
I should also note that it was a Joint Special Task Force. After looking at the instruction it may not be a good replacement for the Army so thank you I just misspoke sense we are talking service awards. But as Hondo stated above the other services do not allow the BSM any more unless it is for the V instead they issue the MSM.
I actually looked up the DMSM this afternoon out of curiosity. I was surprised to see that it had to be “non-combat achievement or service” only. I hadn’t known that before, I suppose many other people didn’t know either.
Like you say, the manual doesn’t specifically say that you can’t issue it in a combat zone. Hell, as Hondo mentioned the other day, DOD doesn’t even have a definition of what “combat service” actually is, so I guess the rules are flexible in that regard. Interesting none the less. Don’t think I’d be going to the Board for Correction of Military records asking for a redo.
Ya, I’m with you but I did not know that JSCM you could get V for that but the DMSM is noncombat merit’s I don’t get that one.
Most Defense Awards date from the 1970s (the JSCM was created earlier, and the JSAM later). They were created because joint HQs/agencies technically cannot award service decorations (those are awarded under the authority of the services). Presumably, the thought was that many joint tours were being inappropriately recognized (e.g., awards downgraded or disapproved by the services). Plus, the lack of award authority likely rubbed joint commanders the wrong way, since service commanders of equivalent rank could award medals and they couldn’t. (smile)
I’m guessing the use of the V device with the JSCM is because the Defense Awards were patterned after the existing service awards. The MSM was a noncombat service award, so the DMSM became a noncombat service award. The service commendation medals could be awarded for either combat or noncombat service and could be awarded with “V” device, so the JSCM ended up the same.
Knew you would have a likely answer.
In reading the DOD reg. it looks like there the JSCM/V can be awarded by the same awarding authority as a JSCM. I think the Army and Navy restrict the authority of awarding the V device to the same level authorized to award the BSM.
Not sure about that, L4C. Note 2, Table 3-6, AR 600-8-22, indicates that ARCOM award authority may be delegated to COL level commanders during wartime (same as during peacetime). No mention is made in the reg of restricting award of “V” device to MG-level commanders.
I’m pretty sure delegation of ARCOM authority to COL command level is the rule. However, I suppose the delegation memo could grant ARCOM award authority but withhold authority to award ARCOM with “V” device. I have no idea if that’s common practice.
Can’t speak to Navy practice or regs in this area w/o more research.
I believe that the ARCENT Supplement to 600-8-22 stipulates restricting awarding of the V to the 1st GO with orders issuing authority. But…its been a while since I’ve seen a copy.
FWIW: the Defense Awards are an interesting lot. The first two were created ad-hoc, separated by 7 years: the JSCM in 1963, and the DDSM in 1970. The next two – the DSSM and the DMSM – were created in 1976 and 1977; I believe that’s when the first DoDI 1348 was published. Interestingly, the JSAM was apparently the LAST achievement medal created – it postdates the AAM, being created in 1983 (the USAF and Army created theirs in 1980 and 1981, respectively).
The 5 Defense awards mirror the 5 “routine” peacetime awards for service/achievement. The DDSM mirrors the service DSMs; the DSSM, the LOM (which is technically a service decoration); and so on.
I can see why the DDSM, JSCM, and JSAM were created, since each service has it’s own Distinguished Service, Commendation, and Achievement medals. But why DoD didn’t just grant authority for joint commands/agencies to award the MSM and LOM vice creating two new medals in the mid-1970s is beyond me.
I guess that “joint cachet” was simply too alluring. (smile)
Thanks’ Hondo, That is why my COC put up the DMSM because the Navy is hard on the BSM and they did not wasn’t it to get down graded because it would have dropped to a Navy Com that is what they were doing to a lot of them. I just know it was a go around for those of us that were not Army. I would rather have that then the BSM because I think BSM should be awarded for thing’s other than siting at the FOB. That’s why I brought my case up. I went outside wire every day but did not think it was so above and beyond so guy’s getting BSM’S sitting at FOB BS.
My bad, I thought every branch had the award? You’ve all taught me so much about the Military and this civilian is very grateful and WE HONOR EACH ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.?
A friend of mine, Colonel Bernard Francis Fisher, United States Air Force, recently deceased, got the Medal of Honor for his actions as an A-1E pilot in the A Shau Valley. What he did was incredible, and not only that, but they also decorated him with the Silver Star for his actions the previous day. Another friend of mine confided in me that the Air Force HAD to award Bernie the Medal of Honor, or else court-martial him, because he broke every Air Force regulation in the books with what he did. I hope you guys look it up and read his citation. As for me, in the old Republic of Viet Nam, I was a Specialist Four, E-4, Field Radio Relay and Carrier Equipment Repairman (MOS 31L20). One day, at Camp Eagle (located between Hue and Phu Bai, just West of QL-1), where I was assigned to Headquarters and Support Company, 501st Signal Battalion (Airmobile), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), I was surprised to be presented with the Good Conduct Medal. Being in the Signal Corps and stationed on a headquarters base camp, I figured I would never be a hero, and this Good Conduct Medal would probably be the ONLY award I would ever receive (and like Dave Hardin stated in his posted comment, I , too, REALLY struggled at maintaining sufficient good behavior to rate receiving the Good Conduct Medal). So, in accordance with Army regulations, I proudly pinned my new Good Conduct Medal on my jungle fatigue shirt, and wore it for twenty-four (24) hours, and had someone take a photograph of me with my Kodak Instamatic Camera. Well, at some later date (and all of these memories are now all scrambled up in my head), I was eating breakfast in the mess hall when someone yelled out that I had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal. I thought the guys were playing a joke on me, so I laughed. Then, they handed me a copy of the orders, with my name underlined in red pencil. Wow! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! I was no… Read more »
Wow!!
Another opportunity seized to have a complete recapitulation of one man’s awards and decorations shoved down our throats that has nothing at all to do with the theme of the posting.
BTW, unless something drastically changed in the 10 day gap in between our departing Vietnam in February 1972, you did not leave with a Screaming Eagle patch on your right shoulder.
The uniform of the day for DEROSing was Class B, short sleeved Khakis, not Winter or Summer Greens. At best you may have had the little pocket dangling, plastic enclosed patch available from the dink tailor shop hanging off the right breast button on the Khaki shirt. I never saw anybody waiting at Freedom Hill for a ride to the world in Greens.
@ CLAW 131, Et Alii:
You are correct about us returning to the “World” in Class “B” uniform, with the “Screaming Eagle” patch hanging from the right side chest pocket.
And, yes, we were issued an AG-344 Class “A” dress green uniform upon our arrival at Fort Lewis, Washington (where we also were treated to a steak dinner).
My comment was merely meant, in response to earlier comments, to indicate that, in the old Republic of Viet Nam, low ranking enlisted men, “in the rear with the gear”, ordinary soldiers performing ordinary jobs, were frequently recipients of the Bronze Star Medal for merit, and not for valor.
Receiving those awards was a tremendous surprise, for I am the first to admit that I was never a “war hero”.
That’s why I was so proud of my Good Conduct Medal.
Who goes into the Army EXPECTING to be a “hero”?
But, just the same, I’m duly proud of having been awarded ANYTHING, because I never thought I ever would receive anything.
As a helicopter door gunner, I’m certain you have numerous awards for valor, and have repeatedly proven yourself in combat as a genuine war hero, worthy of decorations and congratulations.
And Bernie Fisher, a fellow Mormon who passed away over a year ago, was a good friend of mine for many years.
He has a Navy ship named after him, a cargo ship reserved for hauling Air Force equipment.
Look up his story.
I guarantee you’ll be impressed.
I thought my comments were appropriate and on topic.
Nope, no valor awards for me.
Guess I was too far away from the Division flagpole for any of those.