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clifp · 09-15-2011, 10:05 PM

President Obama awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sgt Dakota Myer today. Neither his citation nor the media coverage doesn't really do justice to this man's courage.

However, this great except from book, published in Leatherneck does convey why this is worthy of two medal of honors.

Htown Harry · 09-16-2011, 04:23 AM

A truly exceptional story, 100% worthy of the honor. Thanks for posting.

mickeyd · 09-17-2011, 02:09 PM

Quite a story. Semper Fi Dakota!

BTW, I believe that it's referred to as MOH, not CMOH, since the President awards it, not Congress. No matter, it's well deserved.

clifp · 09-27-2011, 11:18 PM

More news on Sgt. Meyers

It seems he has always wanted NY firefighter, but missed the deadline for applying. The rest of the story is pretty interesting.

What character this young Marine has.

Htown Harry · 09-28-2011, 06:27 AM

The recent 60 Minutes story and interview was inspirational.

Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer on "60 Minutes" - CBS News.

I forwarded the Leatherneck and 60 Minutes articles to a young man I know who flew Kiowa helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan. As expected, he praised Meyer's bravery, giving an Army's vet's most respectful praise of Meyer as "one tough marine".

His other reaction surprised me at first, but made sense after some reflection. He expressed sadness for the soldiers and officers reprimanded for the control center tactical decisions that led to Meyer's brave actions, saying he knew those decisions would be an emotional weight they would carry for a lifetime.

Made me realize those of us who haven't been to war will never really know what it's like...

Nords · 09-28-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Htown Harry

His other reaction surprised me at first, but made sense after some reflection. He expressed sadness for the soldiers and officers reprimanded for the control center tactical decisions that led to Meyer's brave actions, saying he knew those decisions would be an emotional weight they would carry for a lifetime.
Made me realize those of us who haven't been to war will never really know what it's like...

Actually the people in control centers who tend to make those types of decisions rarely feel any emotional weight or personal involvement with their counterparts who are in jeopardy.

It's why they make those incomprehensible decisions in the first place.

When I was on submarine sea duty I had a blissfully ignorant warm & fuzzy feeling that the guys on the shore staffs spent all of their time looking out for us. Later when I actually became one of "them" on a shore staff, I realized you had to be careful with about 5-10% of the staff who saw the rules and the policies as more important than a bunch of fungible people on little submarine icons that could be moved around on charts like Monopoly pieces. Those staff types were not very good at putting themselves in the position of the people they were supporting and asking "What would I want the staff to do for this boat right now?"

But they were very good at quoting the latest rules, requirements, "what you have to understand", and "what we need you to do for us" attitudes.

**Gumby** · 09-28-2011, 06:20 PM

And the good news keeps coming

Maxim Hires Medal of Honor Recipient as Military Adviser - The Hollywood Reporter

TromboneAl · 09-28-2011, 06:33 PM

On NBC the presented this as "He disobeyed orders and saved his fellow soldiers. "

Is that right?

If that's true, isn't it a bad idea to give a medal for something that involves disobeying orders?

REWahoo · 09-28-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

On NBC the presented this as "He disobeyed orders and saved his fellow soldiers. "

Is that right?

If that's true, isn't it a bad idea to give a medal for something that involves disobeying orders?

I think you had to be there Al...

clifp · 09-28-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby

And the good news keeps coming

Maxim Hires Medal of Honor Recipient as Military Adviser - The Hollywood Reporter

Maxim has a military adviser, who knew.

. I hope he gets to judge the hottest woman in (and out) of uniform issue. It certainly sounds like more fun job than being a firefighter.

clifp · 09-28-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo

I think you had to be there Al...

It is far from uncommon to give medals and even some promotions for disobeying orders. Still the overarching rule in the Marines is to help out your fellow soldiers.