Why was SGT Andrew Mahoney awarded the Silver Star while 1LT Florent Groberg was awarded the MOH?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 10:06:47 -0500

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?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2015 10:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 10:10:33 -0500

I think you answered your own question, one is a Commo SGT and the other an Infantry Officer. Not like this is a new practice. I'm just glad Mahoney was recognized at all.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 14 at 2015 10:11 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 10:11:48 -0500

Because awards are approved by Officers. The system is set up by Officers for Officers. We have a long proud tradition of giving Officers senior awards than their enlisted counterparts for equal or lesser contributions...

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 14 at 2015 10:52 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 10:52:48 -0500

Great question MAJ Private RallyPoint Member - some have discussed the idea that the commo NCO is the one that went above & beyond while the other side of the coin is that 1LT Grobergs' situational awareness and expeditious actions were what went above and beyond the call of duty.

There is an award between the Medal of Honor and Silver Star...the DSC....one of our 2LT's from 1-36 Infantry (our FSO) was awarded the DSC...you can read the citation from the link....his actions seem so far above and beyond the call of duty.....there is a very in depth investigation done before an award of this magnitude is presented, with in-person testimony as well as recorded testimony (multiple sworn statements/voice recordings). We had multiple Silver Stars awarded during this deployment as well.

http://www.army.mil/article/5921/lieutenant-awarded-distinguished-service-cross/

Lieutenant Awarded Distinguished Service Cross

First Lieutenant Walter B. Jackson became the seventh Soldier since the Vietnam War ended in 1975 to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action. Secretary of the Army Pete Geren presented the DSC, which is second in precedence to only the Medal of Honor for valor in battle, at a ceremony held in the PentagonAca,!a,,cs Hall of Heroes this afternoon.

Response by SFC David Davenport made Nov 14 at 2015 11:00 AM

SFC David Davenport — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 11:00:39 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2015 11:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 11:16:54 -0500

There is a lot of people basing their opinions off of what I assume is personal experience. While I agree that awards approved at the field level, tend to be given by rank rather then merit but it is hard to believe that our nations top award would be decided by just rank alone.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 14 at 2015 11:42 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 11:42:17 -0500

Not to lower the actions of either of these brave men, but rank does have it's privileges...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2015 11:58 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 11:58:48 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Ron Peck made Nov 14 at 2015 12:52 PM

SFC Ron Peck — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 12:52:43 -0500

I imagine that both men would give their medals up to get back the brothers that were lost.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2015 5:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 17:44:46 -0500

I'm not going to comment on whether the awards system is fair or not in this case. The awards system is subjective, not objective, and always will be. People are not infallible. I've seen awards not go through because they were so poorly written a kindergartener with a crayon could have done better. All I can say is that if you write an award for someone, take the time to do it well and then fight for it. Don't worry about the awards others get, it's only a piece of ribbon with a little chunk of cheap metal on the end. What matters is what it means to the guy who earned it. $5 and a MOH, will buy you a beer, but so will $5 without the MOH. Liars and cheaters know their awards are useless and my soldiers and I know what they did to get their awards. That's all that matters.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2015 5:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 17:26:54 -0500

You are missing that he was not and 11B and because of that he did not mater

Response by SFC Gary Erwin made May 31 at 2023 8:33 AM

SFC Gary Erwin — Wed, 31 May 2023 08:33:33 -0400

Isn’t that the way it’s always been? I know this to be true as I saw it first hand in Iraq in 2003.