Washblog

General Petraeus? Phony Bronze Star? [Update]

The hysterical backlash among Democrats against MoveOn.Org led me to notice something.

General Petraeus was awarded a Bronze Star medal with a "V for Valor" device. I can't find an explanation as to why.

The Bronze Star is awarded for meritorious service, but the "the Valor device (or "V device") is authorized by all services and identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism" - wiki.

But Petraeus served in combat the first time as a Lieutenant General in 2003. Even assuming that he came under some fire in Najaf or somewhere, does that indicate "combat heroism"?

I'll defer to others who know.

Update [2007-9-18 18:2:38 by dlaw]:Linked is yet another example of real combat heroism. Heroism. The following is the only incident I can find where then Major General David Petraeus came under enemy fire. But I'll bet if I worked spin-control at the Pentagon I'd be nuancing some action reports right now to bend a few more bullets the general's way. From USA Today, March 30, 2003

....stronger-than-expected Iraqi resistance continues. An Iraqi mortar round landed less than 50 yards away as two top U.S. generals were conferring here Sunday on the next phase in the U.S. offensive. No one was injured by the round that landed just to the side of a checkpoint where Army Lt. Gen. William Scott Wallace, commander of the V Corps, and 101st commander Maj. Gen. David Petraeus were reviewing maps on the hood of a Humvee.
< Discussion of politics and religion is taboo. Sure it is. | Here in Douglas County who you are still seems to carry a lot of clout. >

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Would be found here.

You'll notice that there is a lot of being shot at and blown up and also shooting back.

What did Petraeus do?

by dlaw on Sat Sep 15, 2007 at 05:53:11 PM PST

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Awesome.

It's just so offensive for this guy to be held up as a hero with this "service record" that is so great nobody can criticize him, and then to find out that guy is a product of "medal inflation".

And don't think that's behind some of this serious  hostility shown to Petraeus by other commanders.

They know what that V should mean.

But what does it.

by dlaw on Sat Sep 15, 2007 at 11:25:05 PM PST

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The Bronze Star and the Bronze Star for Valor (in combat) are almost considered two different medals. That "V Device" is what seems very phony here.

But they needed him to have "combat cred" so he would be too heroic to criticize.

by dlaw on Sat Sep 15, 2007 at 11:27:53 PM PST

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You'd have to grow a wide and heavy ass to keep yourself balanced and not tip over carrying that color code on your chest.

Gives me an idea for a new design of rich text color charts next time I want to write about Bushco in red, whit and blue.

Just click on the Petraeus chest for the color you prefer ... click on the V-Device for ... BOLD.

Arthur
You sure you ain't staking too much on yer theories? Not enough common sense?

by Arthur Ruger on Sun Sep 16, 2007 at 07:01:34 AM PST

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--that the Repubs pulled on Kerry three years ago.  And here is Kerry criticizing MoveOn for going after Petraeus!  Would that he had defended HIMSELF so vigorously back then.  Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake has an excellent commentary on this--
click on the link for access to related hyperlinks.

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/15/note-to-elizabeth-edwards-lay-off-moveon/

Dear Mrs. Edwards,

You're a smart woman. You of all people should know about the asymmetrical intimidation problem that Paul Krugman talks about -- the one where the media is afraid to go after Rudy Guiliani for claiming he's a rescue worker, but they'll try to demolish your husband over a haircut because they know that they'll get swarmed by the right wing noise machine for the former and pay no price for the latter. That's how it works.

So I was really disappointed today to read at Taylor Marsh's place that you had joined with Diaper Dave Vitter and John "McCarthy" McCain to attack MoveOn. We (and by that I mean the netroots) defend you when the MSM try to make your campaign a pinata over stupid, insignificant stuff. When they try to say your race should end because of your illness, but don't say squat about Fred Thompson's lymphoma. We're your first line of defense, the only messaging machine that progressives have.

<snip>

The war is a desperate mess. When offered the opportunity to cudgel your own side, you pivot and attack. How about, "glad you mentioned that...I think an ad is about as relevant to George Bush's growing collection of toe tags as a haircut is to the problems facing this country." Or, "thanks for the opportunity to discuss this, Chris. I personally would not choose the word "betrayal" to characterize General Petraeus's lack of judgment or skewing of the facts to perpetuate the war, but I do think we should be looking at the fact that this was the bloodiest summer ever in Iraq and asking ourselves if the assessment we're being given about the situation is realistic..."

<etc.>

by eridani on Sun Sep 16, 2007 at 07:13:04 PM PST

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...battlefield heroics.

It is a story of a Marine Corps sniper put out by the Pentagon, but it's an example. And just remember that's actually what we ask him to be good at.

Story here

by dlaw on Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 03:08:16 PM PST

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