Navy Releases John McCain's Military Record

[bulletandpima]

<p>I agree with both Luigi and coachjohn.</p>

<p>IMO all coachjohn is saying that these people served and have docs to prove their heroism.</p>

<p>Also Luigi is correct that it should be questioned in certain circumstances. </p>

<p>In todays service I personally know someone who received the bronze star Gulf I with the Army, why b/c he did his job properly (he was no where the action and never in harms way)…did it warrant a meritorious, yes, but a bronze NO.</p>

<p>During the exact same time the EF-111’s were in action, one was shot down, another stayed to defend off the enemy until they could be rescued (the crew that got hit died and they knew it, but still stayed in case they might have survived) The pilot got a silver star the EWO got a bronze. How can you give one out for a desk job(working stateside 8-4/5 days a week) and not being shot at and another who put their life on the line?</p>

<p>Lets realize we now give out medals like candy, every AD is proud to receive them, but many realize some of the medals have lost their original prestige.</p>

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The medal is awarded to a member of the military who, while serving in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished him- or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

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<p>

… Superior performance of normal duties does not, in itself, constitute automatic justification for the Meritorious Service Award. Awards should be restricted to the recognition of achievements and services which are clearly outstanding and unmistakably exceptional when compared to similar achievements and accomplishments of personnel of like rank and responsibilities. In instances where many individuals are affiliated with an exceptionally successful program, project, or mission, the Meritorious Service Award should be awarded to the relatively few individuals whose contributions clearly stand out from the others and who have contributed most to the success of the program.

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<p>IMO the AD member who received a Bronze Star that was not in harms way should have been reviewed more thoroughly and given a Meritorious and did not warrant a Bronze compared to the crew member. </p>

<p>The value of these medals is to show outstanding work and sacrifice in horrific times. The Meritorious was meant for that, the Bronze Star is for surpassing even the benchmarks of a Meirtorious. Today the Meriorious Award for an 0-4 is the same as a PCS medal…in other words it has lost its original allure, thus it does need to be questioned whether they really deserved it for just doing their job during war time or they showed exceptional aspects.</p>

<p>During Vietnam we as a society did not have the demand to make everyone feel good, we only recognized those who went past the bar, which was set much higher.</p>