Posted on Nov 14, 2015
Why was SGT Andrew Mahoney awarded the Silver Star while 1LT Florent Groberg was awarded the MOH?
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After reading the citations and several reports / articles about what SGT Mahoney and 1LT Groberg did that fateful day in Abad, I can't see the distinction between their actions that warrants such a wide gap between their valor awards. It appears as though they did (just about) the same action.
This seems to be another case of awards being recommended based on rank and MOS instead of action--SGT Mahoney, an enlisted commo Soldier and 1LT Groberg, and infantry Officer.
What am I missing? Thoughts?
This seems to be another case of awards being recommended based on rank and MOS instead of action--SGT Mahoney, an enlisted commo Soldier and 1LT Groberg, and infantry Officer.
What am I missing? Thoughts?
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 11
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I've personally witnessed Senior NCOs and Officers alike cry (almost literally) in order to get their beloved Bronze Store (Meritorious) as an End of Tour award when they have done nothing to deserve it. Meanwhile, the guys who put in the effort on the ground are grateful to receive their AAM's and ARCOM's. In this day and age I believe that many, many awards are absolutely given based on rank.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
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SGT Jimmy Carpenter
The only thing I got out of Iraq was my CIB and my unit was integral in the capture of Saddam. I wrote recommendations for bronze stars for each man in my squad because everything we did met or exceeded the requirements for the award. My PSG told me we wouldn't get them and I told him that the regulations state that anytime an award is submitted it has to go up the chain of command to the approving authority. The recommendations never went past him.
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SGT Brian Van Den Broeke
All of my bronze star awards were downgraded because of rank. If you have shit leaders who don't have one, they'll kick it back for just that reason.
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I was an awards cleric early on in my career and that gives me some perspective here. Frequently the award given is based on the recommender and what he/she is willing to do to support the award. There are a lot of factors that go into awards. This is extremely true for MoH awards. If you don't have all the facts, and none of us here do, how can you possibly pass judgment on the awards given here? Don't pass judgment on the system because people tend to not use it properly. I have seen the system work as intended. Honestly there are many times Officers don't get put in for awards they deserved.
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