It appears the Marine Corps is keeping the promise to recognize its enlisted troops. The Purple Heart Medal is given for wounds received in action against the enemy, or bestowed posthumously when someone is killed in action. In addition, aviators can receive the Distinguished Flying Cross or the Air Medal. When these awards are given for valor, a small metal “V” is attached to the ribbon. To complicate matters, the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal can be given for either courage or merit. Awards for merit include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. There are numerous other service and campaign medals that are automatically given for being overseas or serving in a theater of war.ĭecorations for bravery include, in order of precedence, the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star and Bronze Star. The Marine Corps, like the other services, has a dozen different medals for heroism or meritorious achievement. Most of the citations are being awarded for what Holzbauer called “sustained superior performance,” both during the ground war and the months of preparation. The number of awards may seem astonishing for a ground war that lasted only four days, but Marine Corps officials quickly explain that a relative handful of medals are being bestowed for bravery under fire. About 90,000 Marines served in the Gulf War, including 21,000 from Camp Pendleton. So far, 3,250 awards have been approved for Marines and about 2,000 more recommendations are being processed. We’re not forgetting the young Marines this time.” In a recent comment to reporters, Boomer recalled: “It seemed to me almost impossible to have them recognized. Walter Boomer, who commanded the Marine forces against Iraq and unhappily remembers how the awards system in Vietnam was weighted in favor of officers over enlisted men.
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