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Foreign Invaders crisis cost $150B in 2023, forcing some areas to cut police and fire services: report Israel kills head of Hezbollah Intelligence. Status: Not Logged In; Sign In United States News See other United States News Articles Title: Congress launches Medal of Honor campaign for ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle Source: washingtontimes.com URL Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news ... medal-honor-chris-kyle-americ/ Published: Feb 26, 2015 Author: Jacqueline Klimas Post Date: 2015-02-27 10:03:05 by Gatlin Keywords: None Views: 19150 Comments: 87 A Texas congressman introduced a bill Thursday that would ask the president to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL whose life was chronicled in the movie “American Sniper.” Rep. Roger Williams, Texas Republican, said Kyle should receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom that saved “countless American lives.” “There is no doubt that this true American hero is worthy of our nation’s highest military honor,” Mr. Williams said in a statement. “While the Medal of Honor will not bring back a husband, father, son and a model Texan, we owe Chris Kyle and his family a great deal of gratitude for his relentless devotion to his country.” Kyle is credited with being the deadliest sniper in American history. He was killed two years ago when a veteran he brought to a gun range who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder turned the gun on Kyle. The veteran, Eddie Ray Routh, was found guilty earlier this week and sentenced to life in prison. The Medal of Honor must be awarded by the president, but there is historical precedent for members of Congress offering legislation to encourage the president to award the medal to certain individuals, Mr. Williams‘ office said in a statement. Post Comment   Private Reply   Ignore Thread   Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest #1. To: Gatlin (#0) I'd be more moved by a request from the Joint Chiefs or the appropriate board at the Pentagon. I think that the medals get very questionable when they are awarded as the result of some sleazy pols lobbying for it. The Pentagon should award its own medals. I'd prefer the president not control the award of any medals, military or civilian. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-02-27   10:19:03 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #2. To: TooConservative (#1) I think what he did was courageous and I admire him. These are the actions I more closely associate with being awarded a Medal of Honor. Gatlin  posted on  2015-02-27   11:02:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #3. To: TooConservative (#1) BTW - Thank you for being nice to me again. Were you having a bad morning? Gatlin  posted on  2015-02-27   11:04:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #4. To: Gatlin (#3) (Edited) BTW - Thank you for being nice to me again. Every poster should be required to be nice. This is a forum of thoughts and opinions. The more different opinions expressed, the more dynamic it is. The more different people will flood it. LP turned out to be the echo chamber for the 70 year old anarchist. Everyone else was pushed out or banned. Unfortunately, like LP, many posters use the forum not for discussion, but for a billboard for their personal agendas. And if you sell crack... you're not gonna want the police anywhere near your billboard. Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy GrandIsland  posted on  2015-02-27   11:10:59 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #5. To: Gatlin (#2) These are the actions I more closely associate with being awarded a Medal of Honor. I reviewed them. Chris Kyle's exploits don't match those of the ten listed. This Texas pol wouldn't be lobbying for this if Kyle didn't have a book/movie deal. The pol is piggybacking on to Kyle to aggrandize himself to the voters. Not that that will hurt him any with Texas voters but the rest of us shouldn't fail to see it for what it is. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-02-28   5:06:40 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #6. To: TooConservative (#5) (Edited)      These are the actions I more closely associate with being awarded a Medal of Honor. I reviewed them. Chris Kyle's exploits don't match those of the ten listed. The pol is piggybacking on to Kyle to aggrandize himself to the voters. This came to mind immediately when I read the article. Gatlin  posted on  2015-02-28   6:57:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #7. To: Gatlin (#6) (Edited) I saw that half of AZ had their cell/phone/internet knocked out when some vandals dug up and cut a heavy shielded fiber optic cable in the desert. CenturyLink fixed it in a matter of hours. Maybe a test run like the attack on that CA power transformer station and regional telephone systems? FreeBeacon: Vandalism in Arizona Shut Down Internet, Cellphone, Telephone Service Across State Tooconservative  posted on  2015-02-28   7:24:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #8. To: TooConservative (#7) It was called "vandalism" ... "maybe a test run" is more correct. Back to an earlier post: You should find this interesting: Capt. Humbert Roque Versace. Gatlin  posted on  2015-02-28   7:52:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #9. To: Gatlin (#8) Unique in being a (posthumous) MOH award to a POW. And not tainted by political influence over the award itself, unlike this Kyle matter. It probably eats McCain up to think that some other POW won the MOH, not him. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-02-28   8:01:19 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #10. To: Gatlin (#0) MoH requires one to voluntarily risk his life "beyond the call of duty", at a time place and under circumstances would completely justify doing nothing of the kind. I haven't seen the movie and am not sure I could stomach it, given it basically applauds an unjustified military invasion that killed hundreds of thousands, if not (indirectly) millions of innocent people, but simply being extremely good at what one does, which Kyle obviously was, does not make MoH material. Pinguinite  posted on  2015-02-28   11:00:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #11. To: Pinguinite (#10) (Edited) MoH requires one to voluntarily risk his life "beyond the call of duty", at a time place and under circumstances would completely justify doing nothing of the kind. Yes, the MoH is to be awarded for "gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty." If Kyle deserved the MoH, the submission should have been made at the time of his service: Not after the 2-year expiration date. Not because a movie was made. Not because of his death at the hands of someone in civilian life. And definitely not because it appears some Pol decides so. Gatlin  posted on  2015-02-28   12:02:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #12. To: Gatlin (#0) “There is no doubt that this true American hero is worthy of our nation’s highest military honor,” Mr. Williams said in a statement. Maybe to a posturing fool who doesn't have the first clue as to what a MoH represents,but the rest of us know you are a using a dead man's bones for personal political gain. If you had any shame,you would be ashamed of yourself. I hope those who voted for you are ashamed of themselves,because they should be. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-02-28   22:12:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #13. To: Gatlin, *Military or Vets Affairs*, *SOCOM* (#0) Ping Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-02-28   22:13:40 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #14. To: TooConservative (#5) The pol is piggybacking on to Kyle to aggrandize himself to the voters. No!!!!! Say it ain't so!!!!! Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-02-28   22:15:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #15. To: Gatlin (#8) Capt. Humbert Roque Versace. Every time I think about Rocky singing "God Bless America" in the rain as he waits for his executioner to show up to kill him it brings a tear to my eyes. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-02-28   22:17:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #16. To: sneakypete (#15) (Edited) Every time I hear "God Bless Ameica" ... I think of him and how he showed courage beyond belief right to the very end. Gatlin  posted on  2015-03-01   0:37:28 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #17. To: TooConservative, BobCeleste, GarySpFc (#9) O'Sullivan, Christopher Jo, (KIA), USA - Awarded: DSC - Vietnam War For years my college military fraternity alumni have attempted to contact DoD to reconsider the above officer for the MoH. I'll dig up the DSC citation if I still have it. He had a ticket home after a 1 yr tour. Heard his old team was pinned down in the jungle. Turned back went back to them and fought and died with them. When a relief went out he and the entire team were dead with 80-100 enemy dead among them. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   3:14:04 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #18. To: redleghunter (#17) I'll dig up the DSC citation if I still have it. I don't know if it is still true today,but when I was in the army it was generally considered to be true that the only way to get a DSC was to be put in for the MoH and have it denied due to not having the required number of credible witnesses. In other words,almost everybody understood that you had EARNED a MoH,even if you didn't receive it. IIRC,Robert Howard was awarded 2 DSC's before he got the MoH. All while he was a E-5 or E-6. When I met him he was a E-7 and waiting to hear if he got the MoH the 3rd time around. All this within 13 months. Everybody that ever met or knew him was in awe of him even before he got it,and even though everybody was happy for him when he finally did get the award,he didn't need it and it did nothing to add to the respect people that knew him had for him. It was just a formal recognition of who and what he was. I'm sure the same can be said for Mr.O'Sullivan. The character required was already there long before the action that brought it to the surface and proved it. Roy Benevidez is another that I hold in absolute awe. He earned the MoH while serving was CCS MACV-SOG,when he went on a 1 man Bright Light mission into Cambodia to rescue a recon team that was surrounded with everyone wounded and unable to move. This man jumped off a helicopter all alone in a small clearing in Cambodia that was surrounded by the NVA,armed with only a Bowie knife,and carrying a medics bag. He then ran about 75 yards THROUGH the NVA to get to the surrounded team and start treating them while fighting off the NVA. I get a chill every time I think about it. I don't care who you are or how high your standards for bravery are,going on a solo Bright Light mission into Cambodia in the late 60's while armed only with a knife takes stones. www.psywarrior.com/benavidez.html Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-01   5:59:35 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #19. To: sneakypete (#18) I get a chill every time I think about it. I don't care who you are or how high your standards for bravery are,going on a solo Bright Light mission into Cambodia in the late 60's while armed only with a knife takes stones. Or dumb as rocks. Or suicidal. You think the military wants all its soldiers to go on such hopeless missions just because it turned out heroically one time? I don't. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-03-01   8:45:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #20. To: TooConservative (#19) (Edited) I get a chill every time I think about it. I don't care who you are or how high your standards for bravery are,going on a solo Bright Light mission into Cambodia in the late 60's while armed only with a knife takes stones. Or dumb as rocks. Or suicidal. I solemnly assure you that Ben was neither. I knew him before any of this happened,and he was a mild-mannered and soft-spoken man that was very friendly to everyone he met,and that he had a lot of friends. He was one of those people that was almost always smiling,and seemed to be happy with life. If being the smartest person in the room is important to you,do yourself a favor and never volunteer for SF training because you will be destined to remain unhappy if you do. I like to think I am pretty smart,and I honestly can't remember a single time I was ever the smartest man in any briefing room or training class. You owe Ben and his family an apology for even suggesting such a thing. And there is no such thing as a stupid Special Forces qualified NCO. Every single one qualifies for admission to the army Officer Candidate School,and a lot end up with battlefield commissions and retire as senior officers. Many served a company commanders and even Battalion Commanders of foreign troops in battle. One SF E-7 from the 1st Group on Okinawa was deployed to South Korean on a TDY training mission with SK Special Forces,and ended up being appointed as the Defense Minister of South Korea by the South Korean president. This happened when there was a joint team party at the end of the training mission to celebrate the successful completion of the mission,and the SK President showed up after Larry (can't remember his last name right now) had a few drinks in him,and the president asked him "What can be done to improve the SK Army?" Larry was drunk enough to tell him,and was appointed Defense Minister on the spot. Since it was/is illegal for US military members to hold positions in foreign govenments,it took the State Department to get him out of that one. He ended up retiring from the army and going to Beriut to lead one of the Christian militia there during the Civil War,and died of a heart attack while home visiting his family, Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-01   11:24:38 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #21. To: sneakypete (#18) Thanks Pete and spot on. In O'Sullivan's case there were no witnesses left. None survived which is in keeping with your comments. Had the honor of listening to a Roy Benevidez speech back when I was a 2LT when he came to Fort Hood for an Audey Murphy event. The man was shot several times himself doing that rescue. Like all warriors who have been in a fire fight he was confident but humble. He knew Someone was looking out for him and the wounded that day. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   11:56:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #22. To: sneakypete (#20) You honestly think that the Pentagon wants its soldiers to go on such suicidal missions? I think they are more prudent. I see nothing wrong with giving him the medal but I don't think the Pentagon actually wants its soldiers to go into battle so poorly armed and against such overwhelming odds. Just because one guy was lucky enough to get out alive from such an exploit doesn't mean it is a good general practice to encourage among the rank and file. At any rate, I don't see the Pentagon likes sending troops on suicide missions. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-03-01   12:02:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #23. To: sneakypete (#18) Thanks. Another account as well: http://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/roy-benavidez.html "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   12:05:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #24. To: TooConservative (#22) No such thing as luck. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   12:06:23 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #25. To: redleghunter (#24) No such thing as luck. I'm doubt the War College believes in predestination. The professional military may consider bold tactics exemplary. But not suicidal tactics. Perhaps you could cite other similar missions where they ordered a soldier to drop alone into a jungle armed only with a knife to fight off an unknown number of veteran enemy troops armed with machine guns to provide succor to troops in extremis. But they don't give such orders, do they? And they don't teach it as the expected standard operational procedure for all soldiers to their young officer corp, do they? Maybe you could cite examples of where the military makes it official policy for virtually unarmed soldiers to take on unknown numbers of enemy soldiers alone. Or something from the War College archives extolling such missions as standard military doctrine. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-03-01   12:22:28 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #26. To: TooConservative, sneakypete, GarySpFc, liberator (#22) I see nothing wrong with giving him the medal but I don't think the Pentagon actually wants its soldiers to go into battle so poorly armed and against such overwhelming odds. Just because one guy was lucky enough to get out alive from such an exploit doesn't mean it is a good general practice to encourage among the rank and file. At any rate, I don't see the Pentagon likes sending troops on suicide missions. TC no one "plans" such events. RB like many others in military history heard a plea for help from his brothers in arms and acted. This is the point in a Soldier's life where all your training kicks in. He knew what he had to do and what he needed to do it. Pete will tell you that in such a fire fight with wounded on both sides there are plenty of weapons and full magazines around not used to pick up. We see that in the account of RB. Given the choice of a calculated planner or Roy in a fighting position the decision is a no brainer. Roy was out there to save his buddies that day and not seeking glory. Sometimes the most humble have greatness thrust upon them and don't like it. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   12:24:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #27. To: TooConservative, sneakypete, GarySpFc (#25) I'm doubt the War College believes in predestination. The professional military may consider bold tactics exemplary. But not suicidal tactics. Perhaps you could cite other similar missions where they ordered a soldier to drop alone into a jungle armed only with a knife to fight off an unknown number of veteran enemy troops armed with machine guns to provide succor to troops in extremis. But they don't give such orders, do they? And they don't teach it as the expected standard operational procedure for all soldiers to their young officer corp, do they? Maybe you could cite examples of where the military makes it official policy for virtually unarmed soldiers to take on unknown numbers of enemy soldiers alone. Or something from the War College archives extolling such missions as standard military doctrine. Well the War College types sure do award folks like Benavidez for their actions. No, such situations do have volunteers in such hopeless situations. The pilots would be the first. However these were SF soldiers. No one had to ask. A brother bleeds and the other brothers heed. As Pete commented Roy was a happy humble professional. When I was a young officer and heard him speak there was no "John Wayne" in him at all. He was surprised one day in his life seemed to define him. His main point was to take care of your soldiers and do the right thing always. Simple NCO stuff. No grand standing at all. No, I'm sure Pentagon strategic planners don't have predestination in mind at all when formulating military operations. However the services do employ chaplains. So again, leaders don't ask people to be like Benavidez. Don't order them to be so. Why? Because many line up to help a comrade in need. In fact some leaders have to order folks to stand down. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   12:41:47 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #28. To: redleghunter (#26) RB like many others in military history heard a plea for help from his brothers in arms and acted. It's admirable because he volunteered and prevailed, saving many lives. That doesn't make it standard recommended policy. Nor should it. I don't doubt the man is a hero and an amazing fellow. But that is not how a professional military fights and wins wars. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-03-01   12:45:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #29. To: redleghunter, sneakypete (#27) This discussion of heroics reminded me of the record of the Ghurka warriors that served the British and Indian armies. Surely the most badass Buddhists in history. Unfortunately, they go into battle chanting their devotion to Kali, the god of death. So it mars their reputation in my mind, however indisputable their bravery and prowess in battle. Looking at the wiki link, I was surprised that even America employs some. The United States Navy employs Gurkha guards as sentries at its base in Naval Support Activity Bahrain and on the US Navy side of the pier at Mina Salaman. The Gurkhas work alongside army, air force and navy members in day-to-day operations. They also work as security forces at the US embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. No wonder we've never heard a peep of concern about that embassy. Normally, you just guard them with Marines. However admirable the Ghurka troops, I'm not sure we can make our own military quite so formidable, given the recruits within the military's purview to recruit. Certainly our special forces are brave and incredibly capable. But this is not a new thing overall. As much as we credit the British for inventing the modern commando and our own subsequent extensive special forces development through the Cold War era, they are not necessarily any braver than the Ghurka have been for centuries. I think we flatter ourselves a bit by ignoring the Ghurkas conspicuous bravery over the centuries. But then, they can also be described as a heathen death cult, given their well-known devotion to Kali. And we should not ignore that the British empire shamelessly exploited these Nepalese peasants by relying on their service as a way out of abject poverty and only much later doing anything to help Nepal as a country. Why would they? Better to keep the Nepalese in poverty in order to recruit those superb warriors to keep the rotten old British empire on its feet. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-03-01   13:16:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #30. To: TooConservative, BobCeleste, GarySpFc, sneakypete (#28) It's admirable because he volunteered and prevailed, saving many lives. That doesn't make it standard recommended policy. Nor should it. I don't doubt the man is a hero and an amazing fellow. But that is not how a professional military fights and wins wars. On the contrary, if soldiers know they are going to die and bleed on the battlefield without knowing some relief is coming, they won't fight effectively. One of the mandatory considerations in the planning process is casualty evacuation and mass casualty rehearsals. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   13:30:19 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #31. To: TooConservative, sneakypete, GarySpFc (#29) Certainly our special forces are brave and incredibly capable. But this is not a new thing overall. As much as we credit the British for inventing the modern commando and our own subsequent extensive special forces development through the Cold War era, they are not necessarily any braver than the Ghurka have been for centuries. I think we flatter ourselves a bit by ignoring the Ghurkas conspicuous bravery over the centuries. But then, they can also be described as a heathen death cult, given their well-known devotion to Kali. I would say the Western model a bit different. Although you get psychos now and then who tried to get themselves killed in combat, they are not usually the type who do so for others. Benavites is what we call altruistic actions. He did not seek glory that day nor death. He sought to come to the aid of men He previously sweat and bled with in training and combat. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   13:40:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #32. To: redleghunter, sneakypete (#30) On the contrary, if soldiers know they are going to die and bleed on the battlefield without knowing some relief is coming, they won't fight effectively. Well, that day it was just Benevidez coming. I would think he would not recommend to others going into battle against VC with rifles and a few machine guns if you have any choice. I think the military values preparedness. There are circumstances where a knife just isn't enough. Like a machine gun emplacement commanding the high ground. I kinda wonder why the chopper pilot didn't give him his own sidearm? I thought the chopper pilots were officers and had sidearms. For that matter, where was he in Vietnam that, as a special forces man, he didn't have immediate access to weapons? Well, these must have been unusual circumstances to be so rushed for time as to go out with only a knife. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-03-01   14:28:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #33. To: TooConservative (#29) Certainly our special forces are brave and incredibly capable. But this is not a new thing overall. As much as we credit the British for inventing the modern commando and our own subsequent extensive special forces development through the Cold War era, they are not necessarily any braver than the Ghurka have been for centuries. I think we flatter ourselves a bit by ignoring the Ghurkas conspicuous bravery over the centuries. But then, they can also be described as a heathen death cult, given their well-known devotion to Kali. There is far more to being a Special Forces trooper than bravery and being a commando. “Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen, from the grave.” John Chrysostom www.evidenceforJesusChrist.org GarySpFC  posted on  2015-03-01   14:47:55 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #34. To: sneakypete (#15) Every time I think about Rocky singing "God Bless America" in the rain as he waits for his executioner to show up to kill him it brings a tear to my eyes. Thanks for reminding me. “Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen, from the grave.” John Chrysostom www.evidenceforJesusChrist.org GarySpFC  posted on  2015-03-01   15:02:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #35. To: redleghunter (#27) No, such situations do have volunteers in such hopeless situations. The pilots would be the first. However these were SF soldiers. No one had to ask. A brother bleeds and the other brothers heed. Well said! “Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen, from the grave.” John Chrysostom www.evidenceforJesusChrist.org GarySpFC  posted on  2015-03-01   15:06:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #36. To: TooConservative (#32) If you read the citation I posted he did not have time to grab his personal weapon. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7) redleghunter  posted on  2015-03-01   18:11:55 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #37. To: redleghunter (#36) I guess I just can't conceive of any situation where American special forces don't have immediate access to weapons when they are facing or just nearby hostile forces in the field. To me, it seems unthinkable you don't have firepower readily available. I grasp that there may be times when you don't want every soldier on a base armed, even at foreign bases. Or that you would restrict who has firearms on an American military base. But special forces? I would think they would always be trusted to have firearms and would always have access to them. Tooconservative  posted on  2015-03-01   18:37:53 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #38. To: TooConservative (#22) You honestly think that the Pentagon wants its soldiers to go on such suicidal missions? You have obviously never served in uniform in a combat capacity. Frankly,none of us gave a rabid rats ass WHAT the Pentagram wanted or didn't want. What we knew was that our brothers were out there,surrounded and wounded,and if we didn't go in and get them out they would all die. There were always Bright Light rescue teams on standby at the launch sites. Every recon team took turns pulling Bright Light duty,and there was never any shortage of volunteers to go in with them when needed. There were times the Bright Light teams couldn't launch because of the weather,already being deployed to rescue another team,or even sometimes because we couldn't get the helicopters to go in right away. What make Roy's 1 man Bright Light mission so impressive that he went in all alone and virtually unarmed. There is no such thing as a combat soldier that doesn't respect courage from another soldier,and Roy had it to burn. At any rate, I don't see the Pentagon likes sending troops on suicide missions. ALL SOG missions were generally considered to be suicide missions. We were all volunteers,and we could quit any time we wanted. We were going into Cambodia,Laos,and North Viet Nam to run 6 man recon and special purpose missions in the NVA rest and training areas,and along the Ho Chi Mihn Trail. They even used dogs at times to try and track us down once they found out a team was in their area. When the NVA would find you,you and the other 5 members of our team would have to fight off literally hundreds of NVA to be able to get on a helicopter and get out. And if a team were surrounded and wounded so they couldn't move,we either went in and got them out or they all died because the regular army would not and could not go into Cambodia,Laos,or North VN to get them. We did it ourselves,or it wouldn't get done. We also went in sometimes to try to rescue shot down pilots or to recover classified gear from shot down fighter/bombers. Sometimes we went in with platoons on raid missions,and they were pure combat assault operations and even scarier to me than recon was. It was not unusual for everybody in a platoon or company operation to get wounded or killed on a mission. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-01   23:26:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #39. To: redleghunter (#23) Thanks. Another account as well: http://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/roy-benavidez.html If the Catholic thing is important to you,make sure you check out the award given to Rocky mentioned above. Rocky had plans to get out of the army and become a Mary Knoll (of all things!) priest when his tour was up. He could have maybe gotten away and avoided capture,but he surrendered so he would be able to give medical care to the two wounded Americans that were with him. The VC were known to just execute POW's that couldn't take care of themselves,so Rocky surrendered to help his friends. Not sure how well a priest as anti-communist as Rocky would have fit in with the Mary Knowllers,though. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-01   23:32:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #40. To: redleghunter (#24) No such thing as luck. I disagree. If you are ever given a chance to pick between being lucky or being smart,just hope you are smart enough to pick "lucky". Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-01   23:33:12 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply   #41. To: TooConservative (#28) But that is not how a professional military fights and wins wars. Yes,it is. You clearly know nothing about the professional military other than theory. It's WARRIORS that fight and win wars,and any army that doesn't have NCO's and officers like Roy has no hope of battlefield successes. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-01   23:38:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply         .       .       . Comments (42 - 87) not displayed. Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest

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