We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:46:32 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Someone you should know, if you haven't seen this elsewhere. I'm sure the NYT didn't find it newsworthy. WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2006 � Back in March in Iraq , Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lori Hill, with the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, was piloting her Kiowa Warrior when the lead chopper came under heavy fire. She drew the fire away, simultaneously providing suppressive fire for the troops engaged with the enemy on the ground. A rocket-propelled grenade hit her, damaging the helo�s instrumentation, but instead of focusing on her predicament, she established communication with the ground forces and continued to... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:55:40 -0600 Linked to my blog. Guess the MSM is too busy writing about Brittany Spears than real heroines... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53587 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53587 Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:12:50 -0600 Trias - that would really have been dependent on who was around the area at Fort Campbell, I guess. That and how wired the Protocol Office is, or the commander setting up the award ceremony. And there may well have been some in the crowd. I suspect, with the exception perhaps of the Medal of Honor (our Victoria Cross equivalent) it wouldn't be a 'first thought' - the tendency is to try to make sure the serving soldiers know about it. We have two Medal of Honor holders here in Leavenworth, Roger Donlon and Chuck Hagemeister. I know they are on the list of people the Fort uses to invited people for certain kinds of events, but I don't know what the types of events are. My personal thought about that is - if I were a highly decorated vet (which I'm not) and I was invited to a ceremony like that, it would depend on the overall focus and intent of the event. The last thing I'd want to do is become a center of attention - because that should be the recipient. So I might well want to attend, but just as one of the crowd. But that's just me. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53543 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53543 Thu, 30 Nov 2006 06:44:35 -0600 I sent them a note regarding "timeliness". http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53542 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53542 Thu, 30 Nov 2006 06:36:51 -0600 Oh yes the Vice President is indeed a VIP and i did see at least a few soldiers in the background of the photo. What I meant was veterans. Perhaps people who have recieved such honours before but are no longer in service. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53539 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53539 Thu, 30 Nov 2006 04:18:29 -0600 I find it curious that this was just released out of CENTCOM. Lori got her award in October. Always nice to see a KiwiWarrior pileit get recognized for what these heroes do. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53537 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53537 Thu, 30 Nov 2006 01:49:51 -0600 yeah... but women aren't tough enough to make it in battle. BAH! *pokes 'em in the eye* That's outstanding, John. And honestly, it wouldn't have mattered to me if the pilot was female or male- a display of courage under fire is simply a display of courage under fire. I do, however, hope that those who believe women shouldn't be on the battlefield need to read this. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53498 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53498 Wed, 29 Nov 2006 13:55:07 -0600 Awesome! Truly, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lori Hill is an American woman to admire. Why isn't she making the news? Oh, that's right -- Britney Spears went out on the town without underpants, so that's a much bigger story. :-/ http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53495 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53495 Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:41:37 -0600 It is people like her who validate my belief that we have the best armed forces. Huzzahs to the young lady. I read this to my children. Coming here is like getting history, social studies and war stories all in one. Outstanding John. I think BillT will want a lock of her hair. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53493 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53493 Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:54:00 -0600 If I understand your comment to mean "regular troops" vice "Aussie troops," - the people in the background of the photo are a wall of diggers. That medal was awarded in front of a lot of people, by a VIP, as I expect you were hoping. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53490 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53490 Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:28:26 -0600 Through distraction, fear and pain. Quite commendable. I wonder if diggers are allowed to these events. That'd probably be an honour too. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53489 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/11/pilot_earns_dis.html#comment-53489 Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:17:35 -0600