With the current practice of reducing awards, will anyone ever come close or surpass Audie Murphy for most decorated?

SPC Christopher Smith — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 02:48:11 -0500

We have all seen it done, an award is sent up in a timely fashion, very strong bullets only to be reduced without explanation. We have all heard the stories of certain awards are only for certain ranks, because of level of responsibility, although that goes against the regulation. With this practice in place are we doing an injustice to well deserving soldiers?

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 23 at 2013 8:03 AM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 08:03:52 -0500

SPC, Murphy's story is exceptional, but MSG Cunningham is spot on about LTC Hackworth. His career spanned three wars and is impressive by any standard. To the point about award recommendations being downgraded, in Hackworth's book "Steel my Soldiers' Hearts", it is suggested that for his actions during his second tour in Vietnam with 4/39th a recommendation was made to award him the MOH; however, it was later downgraded to the DSC. Based on this account of a truly authentic American hero, we can safely assume that degradation of awards has been with us for a while. I don't think that we will ever resolve the problem to our satisfaction, but I fully appreciate your feelings regarding the injustice in the system. I have seen on more than one occasion that a member's status either unfairly elevated or diminished their award recommendation. The best we can do as leaders is advocate as strongly as our position allows when we witness performance that warrants special recognition.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 11:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 11:04:15 -0500

Besides the points that you guys are making... you got to take into conideration that before. Awards were harder to get and actually earned, therefor had more meaning. (In my opinion) Awards today though, seem to be handed out to countless personnel for no reason or to those that dont deserve them and just happen top get them by default. Unfortunately I've seen a lot of things go wrong with the award system that I have no sort of value to any of them. Well actually with the excpetion of the Medal of Honor which I believe because of its high visibility is starting to have its ramifications as well.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2013 10:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:04:04 -0500

I'm working on it just give me some time and a couple of wars.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 9 at 2013 10:09 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:09:31 -0500

Audie Murphy Rally Point Influence Score = 0<div>Robert Burns.....enough said.</div>

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Apr 8 at 2014 9:02 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 21:02:02 -0400

Why would anyone want to?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 29 at 2014 12:19 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 29 May 2014 12:19:56 -0400

I didn't realize it was a contest.

Response by SFC Michael W. made May 30 at 2014 10:01 PM

SFC Michael W. — Fri, 30 May 2014 22:01:36 -0400

Audie Murphy has been surpassed by others, maybe not by awards but you can bet by courage!

Not to shoot Audie Murphy down, but exactly how many awards were legitimately awarded? There are soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen that has gone above and beyond the "call of duty" yet not receive a single award.

Response by SSG Clarence Moore made Feb 18 at 2015 1:32 AM

SSG Clarence Moore — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:32:13 -0500

What's even worst is awarding SMs by rank. In 2003 I personally seen tank commanders that never fired a round from there tank get Bronze stars with Valor device. Meanwhile, Gunners and below were not allowed to get anything higher than a ARCOM with Valor Device. I can say that my Tank Commander earned his when so many didn't but why is it that not the entire crew was awarded the same award. We fought all night on OBJ Peach in 2003 and anyone that was there credits our tank with the lions share of enemy soldier kills out of the 350+ killed. Not to mention that we killed 2 enemy tanks with one round but we only got arcoms since we were not tank commanders? The pic above is what the two tanks with a single round looks like through thermal sites!