Why are so many people obsessed with "Why didn't So-And-So get a Medal of Honor?"

2015-12-18T15:10:31-05:00

I keep seeing more discussion along the lines of "This guy was a hero. Why didn't he get a Medal of Honor?" and they always seem to open a vein of bitterness about how unfairly awards and medals are handled.

Maybe I'm just a cold-hearted S.O.B., but instead of grousing about who got (or didn't get) what medal, why don't we act like soldiers and focus on lauding exceptional acts of bravery for how exceptional and inspirational they truly are?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 3:00 PM

2015-12-19T15:00:39-05:00

In this case, I need to trust my leaders' judgment. If you read a MOH citation next to a Service Cross or Silver Star, there really isn't that big of a difference. What the variance is, is pretty much up to the approval authority to determine.
Thing is, an act of uncommon valor should be recognized with a decoration commensurate with their acts. The real travesty is when people aren't recommended in the first place.
As for me, I honor the act, not the medal.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 19 at 2015 10:26 PM

2015-12-19T22:26:24-05:00

For some families the fight for their deceased loved one to posthumously receive a MOH is the final act.

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Dec 20 at 2015 6:15 AM

2015-12-20T06:15:42-05:00

In my opinion, it's because certain awards are, in this day and age, "reserved" for different ranks. For instance, if an SPC and a SGT in the Army are on the same team and were a part of the same engagement, the SGT would be recommended for an ARCOM (Army Commendation Medal) and the SPC would be recommended for an AAM( Army Achievement Medal). To echo 1SG Private RallyPoint Member sentiment the act should be honored not the medal but I think that too many senior Officers and NCOs in this day and age would have a problem saluting a lower enlisted Soldier because he was awarded an MoH

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 20 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-12-20T15:04:54-05:00

The general theme seems to be due to rank, race, etc. the SM was given a lessor award, if any. Most have this "picture" of what happened. How close to reality is debatable. It becomes a cause that they won't let go of because to do so would mean you'd have to admit you were wrong in the first place. So have there been cases where the MoH wasn't awarded when it should have been? Yes. Have some been awarded the MoH mostly due to a bump up politically. Odds say yes. Have some not received it because of witness problems. Yep. All this means is the world is imperfect but hopefully works most of the time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-12-28T09:16:37-05:00

So many people are obsessed with it because there has been a disproportionate lack of valor awards issued during the Global War on Terrorism Era than in previous eras. Valor awards have been placed on such a high pedestal as to make them virtually unobtainable. The reason why the 4th ID and the 173rd have so many living recipients of the top 3 (MoH, DSC, SS) is not because they endured harsher combat than anyone else...it is because their commanders had the balls to dare to submit a valor award in the modern era.