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Another MoH to be awarded.

Comments

  • #2
    BlaasForRafa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,020 ✭✭✭BlaasForRafa


    When one thinks of the Medal of Honor, one thinks of men who defend a foxhole against hordes of the enemy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willibald_C._Bianchi ) or who take a flamethrower and go out into no-mans land and destroy several enemy pillboxes (iirc a marine actually did that on Iwo Jima or Okinawa)

    But looking through the list of WWII recipients there is precedence for this latest award http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_K._Bausell


  • #3
    Manic Moran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manic Moran


    There's a bit of a difference between throwing yourself onto the grenade in the near certainty that it will kill you and trying to throw the grenade away in the hopes that it won't kill anyone.

    NTM


  • #4
    Donny5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,827 ✭✭✭Donny5


    Manic Moran wrote: »
    There's a bit of a difference between throwing yourself onto the grenade in the near certainty that it will kill you and trying to throw the grenade away in the hopes that it won't kill anyone.

    NTM

    What decoration, if any, would you consider Petry's actions worthy of?


  • #5
    Manic Moran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manic Moran


    On the (admittedly limited) information I have thus far, either a Silver Star or maybe DSC.

    Perhaps there's more to the back story than the CNN article posts.

    NTM


  • #6
    arybvtcw0eolkf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24,878 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    He was shot through both legs, so its not like he ran over to the grenade, picked it up and attempted to throw it back.. Seem's to me like he'd little choice in the matter.

    I'd say having served two tours of duty in Iraq and six in Afghanistan he's a braver man than most all the same.


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  • #7
    RMD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭RMD


    I can agree in I don't think it is worthy of a MoH. He did what anybody would do, if a grenade landed by you the only reaction in his situation is to throw it back. It's either you and others die if you do nothing, or you can attempt to throw it away and at least have some hope of surviving.

    Considering the circumstances I would say a Silver Star is the most suitable. He was brave, but he did what most people would do considering he couldn't just run to cover. I'd say there's a lot more to the story than what's being told, as I don't see how the MoH would have been awarded solely on what's being reported. I'll reserve judgment till I hear all details, either way he deserves some form of award.


  • #8
    Poccington
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,497 ✭✭✭Poccington


    Adeline Gorgeous Harbor wrote: »
    He was shot through both legs, so its not like he ran over to the grenade, picked it up and attempted to throw it back.. Seem's to me like he'd little choice in the matter.

    I'd say having served two tours of duty in Iraq and six in Afghanistan he's a braver man than most all the same.

    Actually, that's exactly what he did.

    Staff Sgt Petry was in cover behind a chicken coop with PFC Robinson and Sgt Higgins while engaging the enemy. Insurgents had already thrown one grenade, which wounded PFC Robinson and Sgt Higgins, as well as knocking all the men off their feet. Another grenade was then thrown, which landed within a few feet of PFC Robinson and Sgt Higgins. Staff Sgt Petry saw the grenade, moved towards it, picked it up and attempted to throw it away from the other Rangers. The grenade exploded in his hand as he threw it, taking his hand with it. Staff Sgt Petry then put a tourniquet on his arm and informed and reported that he was still in contact with the enemy and had been wounded again.

    A full account of the events can be found here: http://www.army.mil/article/58595/Wounded_Soldier_to_receive_Medal_of_Honor_for_action_in_Afghanistan/


  • #9
    Manic Moran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manic Moran


    He was shot through both legs, so its not like he ran over to the grenade
    Actually, that's exactly what he did.

    Staff Sgt Petry was in cover behind a chicken coop with PFC Robinson and Sgt Higgins

    Unless it was a really big chicken coop, I still don't think he was running anywhere and was likely within lunging distance.

    NTM


  • #10
    Poccington
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,497 ✭✭✭Poccington


    Manic Moran wrote: »
    Unless it was a really big chicken coop, I still don't think he was running anywhere and was likely within lunging distance.

    NTM

    Big enough to provide cover for three troops, in full combat gear.

    We'll go with lunging then, Staff Sgt Petry still made a concious decision to move towards and try deal with the grenade in an attempt to save two soldiers.


  • #11
    p1akuw47h5r3it
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    six tours in Afghanistan.

    I know this is off topic but do American Soldiers not do 12 month tours in Afganistan and Iraq?? Cos this means he would have spent 8 years over seas which to me seems a lot??


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  • #12
    Raging_Ninja
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,717 ✭✭✭Raging_Ninja


    DanDan6592 wrote: »
    I know this is off topic but do American Soldiers not do 12 month tours in Afganistan and Iraq?? Cos this means he would have spent 8 years over seas which to me seems a lot??

    Well it has been 10 years since US forces started fighting in Afghanistan. I did a quick google and some tours have been as short as a few months while others have been as long as 18 months.


  • #13
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    It does seem a bit that Regiment wants a MOH of their own, given SF and the SEALs, not to mention the regular army have all received one. It is sorry how big a part politics play in the awarding of the MOH and other awards


  • #14
    Poccington
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,497 ✭✭✭Poccington


    AbusesToilets wrote: »
    It does seem a bit that Regiment wants a MOH of their own, given SF and the SEALs, not to mention the regular army have all received one. It is sorry how big a part politics play in the awarding of the MOH and other awards

    Any kind of evidence to back that up?

    I'd imagine 2/75 would much rather have one of their leaders still in the fight rather than have him sit behind a desk with an MoH to his name.


  • #15
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    Poccington wrote: »
    Any kind of evidence to back that up?

    I'd imagine 2/75 would much rather have one of their leaders still in the fight rather than have him sit behind a desk with an MoH to his name.

    No evidence, just speculation. Would not be so sure about that ^ ; on the lower echelons that might be the case alright. Higher up though, I could see politics playing a part. Everyone wants to look good. Higher profile, more money, better missions.


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