Posted on Jun 22, 2017
Will the Sailors on the USS Fitzgerald be eligible for combat awards? Specifically, will FC1 Rehm be eligible for the MoH?
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So on several online forums, I've asserted my opinion that FC1 Rehm, who continued saving Sailors until he knew the ship would sink if they didn't close the watertight hatch (and then DID close it, thereby saving the ship but sacrificing himself and 6 others) should be eligible for the MoH for his actions, if they bear out as reported so far. Someone on another forum said something to the effect that he'll get some sort of medal for sure, but not a combat medal. So that's my question. Does the situation on the Fitz rise to the level of combat? I don't think you'll find any Sailor who says it doesn't. Opinions are welcome, but I'm hoping for a definitive answer. Note: if it's determined that the Crystal deliberately rammed the Fitz, this question becomes moot entirely.
Valor
Combat
Awards
Medals
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 32
I do not believe so as they do not meet the following requirements for the MoH since there there was no known enemy or hostile action:
(1) While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign
force; or
(3) 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.
However, FC1 Rehm should, and will likely receive a "Navy and Marine Corps Medal" for those actions.
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134833v1_dodm_2016.pdf
(1) While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign
force; or
(3) 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.
However, FC1 Rehm should, and will likely receive a "Navy and Marine Corps Medal" for those actions.
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134833v1_dodm_2016.pdf
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MAJ (Join to see)
SN Greg Wright - I would say this would qualify if the incident was indeed an intentional attack on the US. If that's the case it shouldn't be any different than Pearl Harbor should it? And the MOH was awarded to 15 men for their actions that day.
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SSG Carlos Madden
MAJ (Join to see) - Great point. I'd say the only difference there is that during Pearl Harbor the sailors were certainly actively engaging and being engaged by the enemy. In this case, that is a bit more of a gray area.
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SN Greg Wright
SSG Carlos Madden - You're right, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to classify that helmsman and/or mate as terrorists if it goes that way. Which, for the record, I'm definitely NOT pulling for (meaning, I'm holding out hope that this was just a tragic accident, and not deliberate). MAJ (Join to see)
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Since the Fitzgerald was not in a Combat area and not in a battle the MoH and the NAVY CROSS are very doubtful since both are specifically are awarded for heroism and Valor in battle. but there is always the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest award that is not battle related.
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PO2 (Join to see)
Originally I agreed with the majority of these comments, then I took a look at TM2 Henry Breault. As a submariner, TM2 shut himself and another inside the boat as it sank next to the pier. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions, and survived the incident. The boat wasn't rammed either. I do believe that FC1 deserves it, but as for the others, sorry.
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MCPO Roger Collins
PO2 (Join to see) - Which boat are you talking about, I remember the Sargo and the file from an oxygen leak, but this name is not familiar to me. I was there and watched the Sargo burn, off and on for two days.
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MCPO Roger Collins
James E. Smallwood MM3(SS), lost his life in the fire while taking action to save the ship. He was awarded, posthumously, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions and other crew members were also awarded medals and letters of commendation for outstanding courage over and above the call of duty. On 15 April 1987, Submarine Base Pearl Harbor opened a new 17-story Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, which was dedicated on 26 February 1988 in the memory of Smallwood and the sacrifice of his life while performing in the service of his country.[1]
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MSG Michael McEleney
Unfortunatly the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is probably what he'll wind up with. The US should follow the tradition of the UK and have an award like the George Cross for extraordinary heroism that is not combat related.
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He would only be eligible for the Soldier's Medal, one that most people don't know. It was created to acknowledge acts of valor performed outside actual combat and applies to all branches of the military
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SSG Robert Webster
CPT Jack Durish see comment by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM about the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
Soldier Medal equivalents Navy & Marine Corps - Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Air Force - Airman's Medal, and Coast Guard - Coast Guard Medal.
Soldier Medal equivalents Navy & Marine Corps - Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Air Force - Airman's Medal, and Coast Guard - Coast Guard Medal.
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