TAH in the news
So, our post yesterday about Chris Kyle and the proposal to enable President Obama to award him a Medal of Honor made the Washington Post and The Hill. The Post quotes us;
“There are hundreds of members of the military whose martial biographies are similar, but they don’t have a best selling book and a blockbuster movie, and I get the feeling that is the only reason that Williams is going through all of this because of Kyle’s name recognition,” Lilyea wrote. “The Routh trial and the success of the movie about Kyle are intersecting at the Medal of Honor.”
Lilyea said the legislation seems like a political stunt.
“There was no effort to get him the award while he was alive, before there was a book, before there was a movie,” he said. “I’m not saying that he doesn’t deserve the award, but I’m thinking that he would be the first to disabuse folks of the notion.”
And from The Hill. I spent a half-hour or so on the phone with the lovely Kristina Wong;
Lilyea said the veterans groups have battled to get service members like Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta and Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe — who the Medal of Honor, and it’s been a difficult fight.
Rather, it should be up to the Navy to decide if Kyle should be awarded a Medal of Honor, not the president. The Navy has already honored Kyle with two Silver Stars — two levels below the Medal of Honor — and five Bronze stars with V device with valor, he said.
“That’s what they decided he deserved in the Navy, and that probably should be the extent of it,” he said.
The Hill also quoted a Facebook commenter.
But my final thought on the whole subject is that if they want to give him a lifetime achievement award, the Legion of Merit is much more appropriate than the Medal of Honor. It only highlights the fact that Congress should be a part time job, they spend too much time thinking up stuff they can screw up that are outside their lanes.
Category: Bloggers
I’m cool the the Legion of Merit.
LOM … Good call!
Good commentary Jonn!
The ‘go-to’ guy. Once you’re on the speed dial, you’re it. They could do a helluva lot worse. It’s not something you wanted, especially in this case, but you expressed the thoughts of many and you did so with due respect.
I think the LoM fits the bill.
It’s been said already, which is why I didn’t comment on the last story, he would only want his family taken care of.
We all know it will be done by various “uncles.”
That’s all my thoughts…It’s already been said in the other thread though. 🙂
I’d be willing to bet that near 100% of of the readership/commenters at TAH agree with Jonn.
I’m glad that this site is getting some well-deserved notoriety for all the right reasons.
When I received my LoM it felt like the MoH. So I agree with it being the appropriate medal and also if the Navy thought he was deserving of the MoH there’s no doubt in my military mind he’doesn’t been nominated. I truly believe that the people who want the MoH for his work are simply doing it for compassion for his family and his legacy.
I’m happy with the Legion of Merit for Chris Kyle. Contrary to popular myth, it’s definitely possible for an E-7 to get it. One of my great-uncles was an E-6 in WWII. That didn’t stop him from receiving the Legion of Merit.
I have to disagree with Congress directing that the Navy (or DoD) award Kyle the LOM. That’s a military award, not a Congressional one. Congress has no business awarding them, or directing that they be awarded. That’s for the various uniformed services to decide.
If the Navy wants to reconsider and retroactively award Kyle a LOM – or other award – based on his military career, I’m OK with that. But other than perhaps Kyle’s Congressman requesting that the Navy reconsider Kyle’s end-of-service award, IMO Congress should stay the hell out of it. Military awards and decorations are a military matter – period. We don’t need Congress (and the inevitable partisan politics) involved in that.
If Congress wants to specially honor Kyle, they can do what they’ve done for a sh!tload of others: honor him with a Congressional Gold Medal. The current de facto criteria for being considered by Congress for that honor are given on p. 1 of
http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid=%270E%2C*PL%5B%3C%230%20%20
and include the following:
That to me seems a much more appropriate way for Congress to honor anyone vice them getting involved in the business of military awards and decorations.
Just my $0.02 worth, and YMMV.
Hondo I agree. Military awards are under the purview of the military only. The LoM while an appropriate thought instead of the MoH is still, something for the Navy to decide. Even now though, given the circumstances which started all this I feel it will only come off as a “consolation prize” in lieu of the MoH. Though I cannot speak for Chris Kyle and he cannot speak for himself. I believe though, based on his character, if he could weigh in he would offer something to the effect of, “I received what I was awarded by the Navy and that’s good enough.” He was not a glory seeker in my opinion. He was an honorable man. I agree also, if Congress (having nothing more important to do these lazy, hazy days in America) want to get involved, then as you suggested, the Congressional Gold Medal would be appropriate and it is within their wheelhouse to decide and award. All this is just my one humble opinion folks. None of it should be interpreted as any disrespect or lack of high esteem, in any way, shape or form for Chris Kyle or his family. I think Jonn did an excellent job with the interview and it makes me proud to say I follow a military blog, led by him.
Better yet, why not let the U.S. Navy name a Warship after him? He’s far more deserving of that honor than Gabby Giffords! The USS Chris Kyle, hell yeah!! Any seconds on the motion?
I second the motion a US Navy Warship be named after Chris Kyle.
Arguments in support include precedent: MV Pitsenbarger, USS Osmond Ingram, USS Stethem, USS McFaul, etc
Roger the LOM and USS Kyle. Just don’t name a piece of crap LCS after him! A naval combat vessel of tribute should be an amphib!
I am a bit sympathetic with the congressman however. To immediately label the man negatively may not be fair. After all, the movie has brought a significant outpouring of emotion from many citizens. His efforts, however misguided for a civilian, could be inherently, simply honest emotion and pride.
Perhaps John should give him a call. 🙂
Semper Navita
RIP Chief Kyle and Chad Littlefield
How about we name the first combat-capable (fully deployed) railgun surface combatant for Chief Kyle?
What would be more appropriate?
Legion of Merit sounds good, Naming a ship after him, does too.
The USS Chris Kyle? It doesn’t fit with the John Murtha (spit!), the Gabby Giffords (spit!), or the Cesar Chavez (spit!) and I think Kyle would not like the company. In fact, I am waiting for that idiot Sec of the Navy to suggest USS LGBT.
Isn’t the MOH really called the CONGRESSIONAL Medal of Honor? That the President bestows on BEHALF of congress?
That if CONGRESS wishes to bestow it, that it is definitely up to them, NOT the military? The military does investigate and recommend the award; but CONGRESS must ok it and forward to the President??
No. The name of the medal is the Medal of Honor. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was established and chartered by Congress, hence their name.
Concur: MOH = Medal of Honor
Uh, that’s not the official definition:
The Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The medal is awarded by the President of the United States in the name of the U.S. Congress to U.S. military personnel only. There are three versions of the medal, one for the Army, one for the Navy, and one for the Air Force.[5] Personnel of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard receive the Navy version.
So I’m going with CONGRESS gets a say…
[…] I concur with Jonn. […]
Also:
There are two distinct protocols for awarding the Medal of Honor. The first and most common is nomination and approval through the chain of command of the service member. The second method is nomination by a member of the U.S. Congress, generally at the request of a constituent, and the subsequent approval via a special Act of Congress. In both cases, the Medal of Honor is presented by the President on behalf of, and in the name of, the Congress.[64] Since 1941, more than half of the Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously.[65] Medal of Honor recipients are usually personally decorated by the President.[66] If the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumously it is presented to the recipient’s family.[67]
My guess is that Chris Kyle would be embarrassed by political attempts to award him the MoH. He earned, and was awarded 2 Silver Stars, numerous Bronze Stars w/V, and both the Navy/Marine Commendation Medal w/V, and the Navy/Marine Achievement Medal w/V. There are cases where years after, and initial award is upgraded, but it shouldn’t happen because of the fervor of an after service tragedy, a popular book, and a blockbuster movie. Awarding Chris Kyle the MoH for political/proper pressure just adds an * to the history of a true hero.
The USS Chris Kyle
Now THERE’S something I, and I think the entire country, can get behind!
Great suggestion Infidel!!