Bronze Star to four dead Canadians

Ed Majden wrote:
The U.S. Bronze Star will be awarded to the four dead Canadian soldiers
that were bombed by an American F-16 in Afghanistan according to news
reports..

I can see wanting to do something for their families.....but wouldn't the Purple
Heart have been more appropriate? After all, that's what we award to our own
victims of friendly fire, isn't it?

George Z.

"George Z. Bush"
I can see wanting to do something for their families.....but wouldn't the
Purple
Heart have been more appropriate? After all, that's what we award to our
own
victims of friendly fire, isn't it?

I just reported what the news clip stated. As far as I know, there is
no Canadian or British Commonwealth equivalent to the U.S. Purple Heart
medal so possibly that is why the Bronze Star is to be awarded. The only
other Commonwealth medal is the Mother's Cross presented to the mother of
the deceased. I don't know if they still do this. In the past Canadians
were awarded British decorations but some Canadian medals are now issued.

"Ed Majden" wrote:
I just reported what the news clip stated. As far as I know, there is
no Canadian or British Commonwealth equivalent to the U.S. Purple Heart
medal so possibly that is why the Bronze Star is to be awarded. The only
other Commonwealth medal is the Mother's Cross presented to the mother of
the deceased. I don't know if they still do this. In the past Canadians
were awarded British decorations but some Canadian medals are now issued.

Wrong terminology, I meant to say "Memorial Cross".

"Ed Majden" wrote in message
news:Xbqxb.505486$6C4.227655@pd7tw1no...

"George Z. Bush"
I can see wanting to do something for their families.....but wouldn't
the
Purple
Heart have been more appropriate? After all, that's what we award to
our
own
victims of friendly fire, isn't it?

I just reported what the news clip stated. As far as I know, there
is
no Canadian or British Commonwealth equivalent to the U.S. Purple Heart
medal so possibly that is why the Bronze Star is to be awarded. The
only
other Commonwealth medal is the Mother's Cross presented to the mother
of
the deceased. I don't know if they still do this. In the past
Canadians
were awarded British decorations but some Canadian medals are now
issued.

AIUI, they have already issued Memorial Crosses (http://tinyurl.com/wt6x)
to the mothers or widows of Sgt Léger, Cpl Dyer, and Ptes Smith and
Green. Pte Green's mum was the Silver Cross mother at the service at the
National Cenotaph and was in the same role at Nova Scotia's ceremonies in
2002. I suspect that Purple Hearts were not in order since their deaths
were not in the face of the enemy, nor did they result from enemy action.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)

Andrew Chaplin wrote:
AIUI, they have already issued Memorial Crosses
(http://tinyurl.com/wt6x) to the mothers or widows of Sgt Léger, Cpl
Dyer, and Ptes Smith and Green. Pte Green's mum was the Silver Cross
mother at the service at the National Cenotaph and was in the same
role at Nova Scotia's ceremonies in 2002. I suspect that Purple
Hearts were not in order since their deaths were not in the face of
the enemy, nor did they result from enemy action.


I don't think so. Check out AR 600-8-22 / 25 February 1995

From http://www.purpleheart.org/Awd_of_PH.htm :
(6) It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for
the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken
that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders
must also take into consideration, the circumstances surrounding an injury, even
if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:

(a) In case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing from
an aircraft that had been brought down enemy fire; or, an individual injured as
a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made
in favor of the individual and the award will be made.

(b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire" in the "heat of
battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the "friendly" projectile or
agent was released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy
troops or equipment.


--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN


http://www.mortimerschnerd.com

"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote in message
. com...
Andrew Chaplin wrote:
AIUI, they have already issued Memorial Crosses
(http://tinyurl.com/wt6x) to the mothers or widows of Sgt Léger, Cpl
Dyer, and Ptes Smith and Green. Pte Green's mum was the Silver Cross
mother at the service at the National Cenotaph and was in the same
role at Nova Scotia's ceremonies in 2002. I suspect that Purple
Hearts were not in order since their deaths were not in the face of
the enemy, nor did they result from enemy action.


I don't think so. Check out AR 600-8-22 / 25 February 1995

From http://www.purpleheart.org/Awd_of_PH.htm :
(6) It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement
for
the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken
that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders
must also take into consideration, the circumstances surrounding an injury,
even
if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:

(a) In case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing
from
an aircraft that had been brought down enemy fire; or, an individual injured
as
a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made
in favor of the individual and the award will be made.

(b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire" in the "heat
of
battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the "friendly" projectile
or
agent was released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying
enemy
troops or equipment.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of looking it up. Subpar (6)(b) was precisely
the circumstances I had in mind when I made the suggestion.

George Z.


--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN


http://www.mortimerschnerd.com

"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote:

I don't think so. Check out AR 600-8-22 / 25 February 1995

From http://www.purpleheart.org/Awd_of_PH.htm :
(6) snip (b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire"
in the "heat of battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the
"friendly" projectile or agent was released with the full intent of inflicting
damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.

Thanks for setting me straight.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)

That's a recent change. 80's I think.

"Andrew Chaplin" wrote
"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote:

I don't think so. Check out AR 600-8-22 / 25 February 1995

From http://www.purpleheart.org/Awd_of_PH.htm :
(6) snip (b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire"
in the "heat of battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the
"friendly" projectile or agent was released with the full intent of inflicting
damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.

Thanks for setting me straight.

"Ed Majden" wrote in message
news:Fadxb.504513$9l5.232045@pd7tw2no...
The U.S. Bronze Star will be awarded to the four dead Canadian
soldiers
that were bombed by an American F-16 in Afghanistan according to news
reports..

Today 30 Bronze Stars were awarded to Canadian soldiers in the area of
the bombing by the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. This includes the four
awarded to the soldiers that were killed by the bomb.

Some of the Bronze Stars went to other soldiers most notably 5
Canadian Snipers who were not involved in the "friendly fire" incident
but distinguished themselves in Afgahnistan. Overall I think its a
nice gesture by the American gov't and don't see anything wrong with
it. I also thought that the Purple Heart would have been more
appropriate for the soldiers who were killed but in lieu of the
information above can see why it was not chosen.

Sincerely,

Ryan M. "Konig"

"Ed Majden" wrote in message news:%3mBb.621482$pl3.474299@pd7tw3no...
"Ed Majden" wrote in message
news:Fadxb.504513$9l5.232045@pd7tw2no...
The U.S. Bronze Star will be awarded to the four dead Canadian
soldiers
that were bombed by an American F-16 in Afghanistan according to news
reports..

Today 30 Bronze Stars were awarded to Canadian soldiers in the area of
the bombing by the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. This includes the four
awarded to the soldiers that were killed by the bomb.