Spirit, a little insight into medals. It's about the medal and the rank of the person that received it. In addition, it's about the action and how badly the military wanted to paint the action with heroic color. Here are some keys:
* Generally speaking, the higher the rank, the less valor required to receive any given medal. All medals require that an officer make a recommendation. Sometimes one officer will do a quid pro quo deal with another and they will write each other up. Sometimes officers are given medals, including Silver Star medals, for action of their units that did not involve much physical risk on their parts. I believe that some Generals have even been awarded the medal of honor for what I would consider the valor of their units. If you ever see an enlisted man with a Silver Star, you know he did a very brave thing. I personally know of one officer in Vietnam who was an abject coward and he was one of three men in my company who were awarded Silver Stars.
* When the military wants to hype an action and deflect attention from a possibly bad result, I believe the military issues more medals to highlight the courage of the soldiers and discourage criticism. I think that if you look at the number of medals and types of medals awarded when we have significant casualties, you'll find a good connection.
* Bronze Stars are not all for valor. I believe some are awarded for meritorious service. I'm not sure Davis was awarded a Bronze Star for valor and, remember, he was an officer.
* The awards that are valued by those who've been there, are the Combat Infantryman's Badge for Army soldiers and the Purple Heart. It's difficult to fake the circumstances that merit the issuance of these awards. You must have been in actual combat for both. I have heard of generals who've flown over a firefight and been awarded a CIB, but that's rare.
Having said all of that, from what I know of Clark's award, (directing his unit while seriously wounded,) he was brave and even if he'd been a non-officer he'd have likely received some award, but maybe not the Silver Star. I don't know much about the circumstances of Kerry's awards but he was there and he kept on going back even after three wounds. He was clearly a warrior. Both of them have earned my thanks and respect for their service. But not Davis, at least not for his "valor." Of course all of them are heads and shoulders above the posers like Bush who seem to think that bravery means not being afraid to send someone else to fight. "Bring em on????" |
