QUESTION: Has the Army revoked the Silver Star given to Pat Tillman

[jody]

who was killed by friendly fire?

[benburch]

1. God I hope not.

If so, we need to PASTE them with that fact.

[Racenut20]

2. How about Jessica's bronze star and purple heart?

[Disturbed]

3. Did he deserve one?

Did he do something that went beyond what most soldiers do? Yes, he didn't have to join and could have made millions playing football yet that wouldn't qualify for him to recieve this medal.I am not dissing his memory merely attempting to be logical.

[bullimiami]

9. im sorry but joining the army instead of playing football doesnt count

sure he was very patriotic and took orders well. they all are and do.

[jody]

13. Jessica earned a Purple Heart and perhaps a Bronze Star. I don't know

whether she acted with valor such that she earned a "V" for valor. History of similar incidents suggests that a "V" may be appropriate for her to be worn on the Bronze Star.

[dave123williams]

4. You don't get the silver star for getting wasted by your own guys.

[KharmaTrain]

5. He Did Serve...He Did Deserve Medals...Careful Here

Don't throw this one away...trying to bash Tillman in painting the Pentagon as being the spin-crazy kleptocracy it is. Bashing Tillman's service or how he died plays right into the right wing "libruls hate the military" crap. If anything we need to show we are the ones who really support the troops by supporting the veterans and their families. Why we can't make stronger bridges in this area confounds me. There's a great opportunity just waiting...shutting up the 25-40 year old dittoheads when those who went to Iraq of the same age come out, freely, and really tell the world what's happened there and the corruption of the military.

I'm sure right now the Pentagon would just love this story to go away. Just like with Lynch...let it fade away and hope the media finds another "Old Shoe" to glam onto. Maybe this one will be legit. But it won't matter...their credibility in this area is zero.

Let the Tillman family continue to speak out and stand by their side. They want the truth...and they want it to be known. If they help shed light on the mismanagement in the Pentagon and this regime...on our dime and in our name...then Pat Tillman's memory lives on and serves this country very well.

[charlyvi]

7. Well said, KharmaTrain.

I've always said there may be a difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law; apply that to the criteria for a Silver Star. Let his family keep it. God knows that's the least they deserve.

[KharmaTrain]

8. A Sad Vietnam Story...Showing True Repugnican Colors

This just reminded me of a controvery that happened about 1978 or so. A local kid...he was in his early 20's at the time...just released from a military hospital was suing for benefits and access to VA facilities. His medal (I forget which one it was) was being recalled since it was learned he was not shot by enemy but was involved in friendly fire. He claimed he never knew whose bullet hit him.

After spending a couple years in a VA hospital learning to somewhat walk again...and who knows what brain scrambling went on with it...he came home with almost no money and little job prospects. He then was notified his medal...one of the few acocmplisments of his life was being recalled...this led to the big outcry. Well almost. The medal was recalled and the local Repugncan Congressman refused numerous petitions to hold hearings on the issue...saying the Pentagon had ruled this wasn't enemy combat and thus it wasn't fair for someone to earn a medal reserved for those who faced a real enemy.

25 years later, this same Congressional scum was lauding how much he supported our troops. Fortunately years of drinking and not serving the district finally led us to get rid of this slime bag. Here's hoping other districts can do the same next year.

[jody]

12. I'm sorry but you and I see things differently. I agree with you that

Tillman may have deserved an award but he clearly did not earn the Silver Star.

If the Army does not reverse its award of a Silver Star to Tillman, then it cheapens the medal honestly earned many times posthumously by thousands of other troops.

[KharmaTrain]

14. I'm Not Specifying Silver Star

I'm not certain all the criteria that goes into the award...and this was the same argument the Repugnican Congressman used in refusing to give the soldier/vet in the 70's a medal that could have helped in his job prospects and future care. Instead he went through a long agonizing process to attempt to clear his name from the taint that came from having a medal stripped from him and it being from "friendly fire".

Let's not confuse medals Tillman did deserve with something that could have been orchestrated...even then let's tread lightly and let the right wing decide if the medal was worthy. By jumping on the value of Tillman's sacrifice, it can be easily twisted by the hate radio goons to paste those of us who are shocked at his unnecessary death and the apparent cover-up around his death and give them piling on, rather than defending both the value of those who serve and the way they served.

These people are going to need us, since the Repugnicans are already pissing on them.

[jody]

15. I know what deeds are required for a Silver Star. The award was a

cheap propaganda trick by Rove. I asked the question simply to know whether the Army had quietly revoked the award. If so, then that fact deserves wide publicity.

[KharmaTrain]

16. Gotcha...Even More Need For Caution

Yes, if he was awarded a Silver Star in a cheap stunt by Rummy, not recommended in the way others have earned it, I agree, it shouldn't have been awarded.

The problem is by Democrats pointing this out, or even the Tillman family, it's going to be used by the right wing...especially hate radio and the propaganda machine...as attacking the military again...a technique that is far from the truth, but has been effective in red and purple areas.

The ultimate would be for some far right winger or libertarian like a Ron Paul or Dana Roehrbacher to call for it to be returned for just the exact reasons you state. Let them wrestle with this bone. We need to save our energy for the good fights...and to show support for the ones doing the dying and the years ahead of dealing with veteran health problems. Those stories are never covered.

[jody]

17. I agree completely and to repeat for other readers, I wanted to know if

the Army had quietly revoked the award.

[Just Me]

6. Without posting evidence that it has, this is just more noise.

I'm sorry but DAMN what is the point of posting fiction? It's just more noise which interferes with our need to focus.

:wtf:

[jody]

10. Asking a question is not posting fiction. Facts are that the Army gave

Tillman a Silver Star that is only awarded for heroism against an enemy.

Tillman may have deserved a lesser award but clearly not a Silver Star and perhaps not even a Bronze Star with V for valor.

Admiral Jeremy Michael Boorda, USN Chief of Naval Operations, committed suicide because he wore a V for valor that he was not officially awarded.

When medals are given to troops that do not earn them, it cheapens the award for those who have. :shrug:

[Disturbed]

11. "Let his family keep it."?

"Let his family keep it. God knows that's the least they deserve."

Logic: In that case, all soldiers who die would deserve the Silver Star.

No, I am not dissing his memory or his family.