Pat Tillman, the Army and The Silver Star

[H2Andy]

i see two issues:

1. the actions leading up to his death, and his death; and

2. how his death was reported to others

if the actions leading up to his death, and his death, merit a Silver Star, then
i have no problems whatsover with the award

if the Silver Star was awarded as some sort of publicity move, then i am extremely
mad at whoever made that decision.

either way, i don't think the medal should be rescinded, as i find that disrespectful
to Tillman and his family

 

[The Kraken]

I tried to go back and edit my initial post but, unfortunately, I was too late.
What I wanted to ask was, should a review show that Tillman did not actually perform the act described to merit the award, should the awarding thereof be rescinded.

 

[H2Andy]

how's that? it only accepts so many characters, so couldn't type in everything
you said

 

[letterboy]

I can't find any info on the actual wording of the award but I would say that if the Soldier acted in a way that he deserved The Silver Star than it should stand. Were as if the whole thing was made up and he actually didn't act in a manner that deserves the honor that is the Silver star than it should be recinded.

John

 

[The Kraken]

how's that? it only accepts so many characters, so couldn't type in everything
you said

Because after a certain period of time the "Edit" function button becomes unavailable.

 

[H2Andy]

ok... let me rephrase:

look at the poll again, and you'll see that i've changed it. how does the change
look to you? it only accepts so many characters, so i couldn't type everything
you said

 

[The Kraken]

Thanks for the help, Andy.

 

[H2Andy]

sure thing

 

[DennisS]

I think it's the army's decision. If they put a spin on it and used his death, they are the ones that know what the truth is. His family doesn't seem too happy with way the army handled the information surrounding his death.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-atillman23may23,0,2481525.story

"Immediately, the Army kept the soldiers on the ground quiet and told Tillman's family and the public that he was killed by enemy fire while storming a hill, barking orders to his fellow Rangers. After a public memorial service, at which Tillman received the Silver Star, the Army told Tillman's family what had really happened, that he had been killed by his own men.

In separate interviews, Tillman's parents, who are divorced, spoke about their ordeal with the Army with simmering frustration and anger. A series of military investigations have offered differing accounts of Tillman's death.

The latest investigation, reported by The Washington Post earlier this month, showed that soldiers in Afghanistan knew almost immediately that they had killed Tillman by mistake in what they believed was a firefight with enemies on a tight canyon road. The investigation also revealed soldiers later burned Tillman's uniform and body armor."
Sun-Sentinel May-23-2005

The army gives out the medals, it's up to them to determine who gets them. Their actions determine the worth of the medals.

 

[The Kraken]

"The army gives out the medals, it's up to them to determine who gets them. Their actions determine the worth of the medals."

Dennis,
You said so very, very much in that statement.