RK ARCHIVE - TIME: The War Without Honors

In this week's issue of TIME magazine they highlight an important astonishing topic about how few medals we have awarded our military serving in Iraq compared to previous wars most notably World War II.

Being an Iraq War Veteran, I know the disparity in medals being awarded between previous wars and today.

Many senior military officers say that the reason behind this is that they want to set a higher standard or heroism in the Armed Forces. I disagree, for whatever reason those who have served and are serving in Iraq are being shortchanged with regards to recognition.

Like World War II, the warriors of the Iraq War will create a new generation of Veterans. We not only owe them the respect they deserve, but the lifetime honors that go along with this.

As a Democrat, I was disappointed but not surprised to find out in 2003 GOP members were trying to derail a Congressional bill to award Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans an individual medal.

It was to the surprise of myself that several Democratic House members with a few GOP members pushed the bill that would eventually lead up to the authorization of the Iraq Campaign Medal on May 28, 2004.

Whether we agree or disagree with the Iraq War, we all should agree that if you serve in Iraq you deserve the recognition and honor of all those who have served in battle. We need more Medal of Honor, Silver Star, & Bronze Star Winners that have served in Iraq.

This topic needs to be addressed. It's a serious issue to me. I have friends lost, friends in Iraq today, friends who will go soon.

Democrat or Republican you should be asking our new Defense Secretary why more service members aren't receiving more honors they so clearly deserve. I have hope that Mr. Gates can correct this problem.

Comments

shame (pitin - 12/22/2006 11:20:11 PM)

on those that are not honoring these young men.

It is shocking, I had no idea about this, thanks for bringing it up.

There is NOT a campaign medal!??!! (thegools - 12/22/2006 11:43:18 PM)

I can't believe there is not a campaign medal for Iraq nor Afganistan. I would have assumed that there would have been an individual medal for each of those theatres, not unlike what has occured in previous wars/actions.

As for the disproportionate number of medals being awarded, i had always chalked that off to the fact that WWII was a far broader conflict, with vastly more people involved. Are there any stats that that can be used to come up with figures soas to fairly compare Iraq to WWII (etc.)? Perhaps something along the lines of

# Bronze stars/man hours in combat
# Silver stars/ " " "

Anyone?

I'm sorry that I had not (madgranny - 12/23/2006 3:53:02 PM)

recognized this situation. It truly saddens me, but reflects the upside-downness of this administration. Tenant and other liars get the Medal of Freedom. Rumsfeld gets a victory parade. What madness! I am also VERY irritated that no - not one - General has been fired (or at least removed) for their failed leadership in this war.

Bronze Star Medal (aes - 12/23/2006 7:56:39 PM)

I have read that over 50,000 Bronze Star Medals have been awarded by the U.S. Army for Iraq Service. The Marine Corps has awarded approx 1600. Compared to the Army, the Marine Corps does appear quite stingy. Compared to the Marine Corps, the Army number of Bronze Stars seems excessive. But this difference between the Army and Marine Corps has been similar in past wars.

A comparison of WWII and Iraq regarding Medals of Honor is ridiculous when you take into account the numbers of combatants involved in WWII compared to Iraq. An Iraq Campaign Medal should, and I believe will, be approved.

Navy Department Stingy (drmontoya - 12/23/2006 11:12:12 PM)

The Navy & Marine Corps fall under the Navy Department. They (DON) are very selective in the awarding of medals in regards to heroism. And this isn't any new thing.

For Bob Kerry, John Kerry, and Jim Webb to receive the medals they did shows they really did EARN them.

Iraq Campaign Medal (drmontoya - 12/23/2006 11:13:25 PM)

The Iraq Medal has been approved, and been awarded since May of 2004. Either people aren't reading my diary or I wasn't clear on that. I am a bit confused.

Clearly Stated - Iraq Campaign Medals Available (cycle12 - 12/23/2006 11:28:16 PM)

It was clear, DR; in fact, if one clicks on the link that you provided in your original diary, it explains that the Iraq Campaign Medals began to be distributed in June, 2005 and that they are retroactive to March 19, 2003.

Thanks!

Steve

Military Award Ribbons (cycle12 - 12/25/2006 9:39:14 AM)

Two years ago, my brother-in-law, an Army supply sergeant, spent a year on duty in Iraq and we have frequently discussed the situation there, both then and now.

When this RK discussion arose, I contacted him about medals and ribbons and he explained them to me and gave me these excellent links for same:

http://www.tioh.hqda...

http://armyawards.co...

Merry Christmas!

Thanks!

Steve