Iraq, Afghanistan Medals of Honor slow in coming

[Robbien]

WASHINGTON - Gripes are growing in the ranks of some U.S. troops and veterans about the virtual absence of Medals of Honor bestowed upon a growing list of those who have performed extraordinary acts of combat valor in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So far, just one of the nation's top decorations has been awarded, and that was posthumously to Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who died in the early days of the war.

Critics are especially ticked that no living hero has been selected for the award, and note that - if the medal were awarded at the same rate at which it was during the Vietnam War - at least 30 would have been presented so far.

The Pentagon says the process for awarding Medals of Honor is necessarily painstaking, but is proceeding.

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060917/WIRE/209170337/1117/news

[Kutjara]

1. I wonder if some bureaucrat worked out how much each one...

...costs to make and decided the expense wasn't worth it. Maybe they can stamp some out of plastic in future. That'd be far more cost-effective.

[Robbien]

2. More likely they outsourced the project

And just like most defense contract projects, the contractor takes the money but never bothers to do the work.

[krispos42]

3. We've won the war, so there's no fighting to get a MOH for, right?

Right? Right?

Saw it right there on the TV. Bush, flight suit, codpiece. "Mission Accomplished". War's over, so no more combat. No combat, no medals. See? Logically flawless! Mr. Spock would be proud!

And there's an insurgency, but we've turned a corner on the tetracontakaidigon that is Victory in Iraq.

(definition of a tetracontakaidigon is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygon#Naming_polygons )

[Lasher]

4. They don't want to have to pay the pensions

Congressional Medal of Honor recipients get $1027 a month for life, subject to cost of living increases. Can't have that, it would be like those commie New Deal programs.

[JI7]

5. they don't want a "jessica lynch" or the "marlboro" soldier to get it

by that i mean someone who doesn't go along with the propaganda and in the case of the "marlboro" soldier is critical of the war.

they want whoever gets it to repeat the bs of all is going well and to thank Bush.

[sandnsea]

6. They might need to smear them in the future

And not having a medal would be one less thing to have to concoct a pack of lies about.

[Mendocino]

7. Maybe the name of the medal should be changed,

because there is no honor in this war.

[IndianaGreen]

8. Kinda of awarding the Iron Cross to a Wehrmacht soldier

for valor. There is no honor in a war of aggression, and frankly I would be embarrased about any medal bestowed in this criminal war.