Pfc Jessica Lynchs Bronze Star?

[StSanta]

Sorry if this has been discussed.

Girl manages to be part of a group that get lost. Due to incoming fire her vehicle gets out of control and she is seriously injured.

Her friends try to fight back leading to the death of a lot of them.

Fast forward a bit; US troops get a tip and free her and the bodies of her fallen comrades from a hospital.

Lynch gets Bronze Star for 'meritous duty during combat'.

Isn't this an awful insult to those actually doing heroic things?

She didn't really do anything except taking a wrong turn and getting injured.

I just think it's cheap PR stuff from the military's side, and it cheapens the Bronze Star. Sickening.

POW medal and Purple Heart are appropriate, but Bronze Star?

Story can be found here

[ra]

From what I've heard in the past the Bronze Star is already pretty cheap.

[Mickey1992]

Originally posted by StSanta
Story can be found here

Lengthy previous post can be found here

[firbal]

It's a war time upgrade for an Arcom. I found that out in the 1st Gulf war. If it has a V attached, then it would be for heroic action, or something like that.

[_Schadenfreude_]

American troops do appear to get medals if they manage to wake up, dress themselves and have breakfast without being seriously injured.

[Chairboy]

And British troops are given medals if they can avoid invading beach resorts instead of their actual targets.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1827554.stm

[Puudeli]

*cough* propaganda *cough*

[Chairboy]

It's all in good fun, I imagine Schadenfreude (or anyone) could find something about US soldiers lickety split using google.


..but no matter, a funny story is a funny story.  Of course it isn't representative of the stature and professionalism of the British military any more then Bronze Stars being handed out like candy are indicative of the ability of the US military.

[_Schadenfreude_]

well at least no one got any medals for getting lost in that one....

[_Schadenfreude_]

well at least no one got any medals for getting lost in that one....

[Frogm4n]

previous bronze stars were not cheap. This is a propaganda machine at its best. This also spits on all those who recieved a bronze star for actually doing something heroic.

I have a great uncle that recieved one for holding his position while the rest of his artillery crew fled. Fireing and loading the gun alone he slowed down  the japanese offenceive enough to allow time for the troops in the area to escape and later counterattack, finding him with a severed spine after the japanese drove a tank over my great uncle and left him for dead.

Also didnt John McCain never recieve any big medals while in a pow camp.

Having a rpg hit your humv because your convoy took a wrong turn, being captured and enemy doctors help you get rescued does not = a bronze star.

[ra]

Frog the Bronze Star has been cheap since at least the first Gulf War, probably even before that.  They call it 'medal inflation', where they no longer keep to the original intent of the medal.

Your grand uncle would have probably earned a silver star for his bravery in today's army.

ra

[StSanta]

Thanks Mickey, couldn't find it when I searched for some reason (and I DID apologize in advance )

[Frogm4n]

yea i guess they just give them out to people that clean a good latrine as long as it gives whoever is in charge a political advatage.

[Holden McGroin]

Originally posted by _Schadenfreude_
well at least no one got any medals for getting lost in that one....

Isn't Scott of the Antarctic a British hero?  No offense to our British comrades, but we all have our own selective memory.