MOH Politics
So what’s this from Fox News? Pentagon probe finds Petraeus sought downgrade of hero Army captain’s Medal of Honor
Something is rotten in Denmark…….the Pentagon, but then we could have guessed that.
A Pentagon probe into the mishandling of hero Army Capt. William Swenson’s Medal of Honor nomination found retired Army Gen. David Petraeus had sought to downgrade it, but shed no light on why the soldier’s file was scrubbed from military computers and never passed up the chain of command
At least Swenson finally got what he earned, and I’m glad Duncan Hunter isn’t letting this go just yet….
It is extraordinarily disconcerting that the facts surrounding Swenson’s Medal of Honor nomination, specific to how it was handled and subsequently lost, still cannot be resolved,” Hunter wrote.
Category: "Teh Stoopid", Big Army, Politics
It seems the dust being stirred up is casting some doubt on Dakota Meyer’s medal however.
“Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, 25, of Columbia, Ky., was also awarded the decoration. A McClatchy investigation later found that key portions of the official account of Meyer’s actions were embellished or did not occur.”
It’ll be interesting to see how this settles out.
The difficulty isn’t in the Pentagon’s insability to resolve the matter. The matter is resolved, at least as far as I am concerned. The nomination was buried purposefully. I’ve noticed that MOH recipients aren’t, shall we say, always choir boys or the best followers and yes men. And I like it that way, personally.
I have no problem with GEN Petraeus’ recommendation – that was his opinion, and he was asked to give it. I might not like it or agree, but it was his call to make. And the distinction between MOH and DSC is sometimes a fine one. It literally sometimes comes down to whether the individual recommended is civilian or military (e.g., John Paul Vann in Vietnam) or whether or not more than 1 surviving witness exists (MOH specifically requires 2 witnesses).
I do, however, have a rather large problem with the apparent “slow rolling” and/or “loss” of Swenson’s MOH packet. The decision can easily take a year. Taking roughly 4 years is unacceptable and ridiculous.
I have a serious problem with Power Point Pertraues’ recommendation and meddling. He was, is, and always will be a snake in the grass. An opportunist and a climber to the nth degree. I do know a thing or two about this corporate manager who formerly wore a uniform.
Don’t get me started on all of this MoH political bullshit. Hardest thing I’ve had to do – keep my mouth shut. Not about anyone who has received it but about some who haven’t – YET
2/17 – “Scratch a hero, and I’ll show you a bum” – Greg “Pappy” Boyington
As the late great David Hackworth would say “perfumed princes” of the Pentagon. Would that description fit General Petraeus?
@4
The staff pukes who would not send the needed reinforcements were most likely Petraeus’s weenies who were his chosen ones. They were liars and assholes, just like Les Aspen in Somolia.
*cough* Rafael Peralta *cough*
ohio nailed it. Add to that the romance he had with whats her name and how that was leaked. Just saying.
Valor medals always depend on the fank that sees your actioand the rank you hold as considered by the highers far removed from the battles. Joe
I think it was Vince Flynn who talked about meeting Petraeus, at Petraeus’ request. He said he walked in with a huge entourage, larger than either President Bush or Clinton, both of whom he had also met. Hence, a prime example of ‘perfumed princes’.
The MOH can, unfortunately, political. My uncle’s was originally downgraded by Admiral McCain because of political sensitivities regarding Cambodia. About the time his remains were finally being repatriated, the push for his MOH was renewed. We had both ceremonies in May 2002.
As for Dakota Meyer, other statements indicated that the Marines exaggerated his exploits but the folks who originally put in for the MOH for him say that regardless, it was well-deserved. Having read Into the Fire, I can well believe that Petraeus didn’t want to expose the incompetent officers who were responsible for the situation.
Until I read The Outpost, was the most infuriating book I had read. I find it interesting that both situations with multiple MOH recipients were screw ups by the brass.
I’d like to hear his reasons for doing it first before running off with wild speculation and trashing Gen. Petraeus’s service.
In the end it was his opinion which he was asked to give on this regardless on whether or not Capt. Swenson earned his MOH in everyone elses eyes.
Petraeus was not well-liked as a BC with the Rakkasans, either. Some debate whether the round really cooked off that fateful day at the range…I kid, I kid. But seriously, he was in with Jack Keane, so what more did he need as he ascended the ladder through the 18th Airborne Corps?