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Interesting story from Iraq.

By The Armorer on August 20, 2007 | | Comments (6)

Most people don't realize that formal awards schemas (vice one-offs for specific events) are a relatively recent innovation in military affairs.

As Napoleon observed, "A man will die for a bit of ribbon." Of course, that's not really true, if he dies, it's for the ideal that his fellow soldiers have embedded in the symbol of the ribbon.

Just like no one dies for the flag - it's for the symbol the flag represents.

'BLACK LION' CREATES MEDALS FOR IRAQI SOLDIERS

By 1st Lt. Charles Wyatt
1st Bn., 28th Inf. Regt.

BAGHDAD - It wasn't too long ago that the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment "Black Lions" out of Fort Riley began operating in southwest Baghdad.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Duran of Company E, the forward support company for the Black Lions, has become a liaison between the battalion and their Iraqi counterparts. Duran, trained as a cook, has been working with and training Iraqi Army soldiers at their joint security station -
and now Duran has had medals created for them.

The medals were handmade by the same person who used to make medals for
Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. "I think the medals are a good idea," Duran said. "I hope they catch on across the Iraqi Army."

The idea to reward the battalion's Iraqi counterparts for courageous acts in combat has caught on at Joint Security Station Black Lion. Iraqi Army soldiers now participate in award ceremonies where Duran's newly developed awards are pinned on soldiers for extraordinary acts, mirroring U.S. Army ceremonies.

On June 30, the commanding general of Multi-National Forces - Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus was the first person to pin the Red Crescent Medal, the Iraqi National Defense Medal and the Northwest Rashid Hero's Medal on Iraqi Army soldiers.

Upon landing at Joint Security Station Black Lion, Petraeus made his way into the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division headquarters building where he awarded three Iraqi Army soldiers for acts of bravery in combat.

The Red Crescent Award is equivalent to the Purple Heart; the Iraqi National Defense Service Medal is equivalent to the Bronze Star; and the Northwest Rashid Hero's Medal is equivalent to an Army Commendation Medal.


Update: in the comments, Jim C opines thusly:

I beg to disagree with you on the quotation of the 'Corsican Ogre' as our 'Limey' friends referred to him when in polite society.

A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon. Napoleon Bonaparte

If there is one area of subject matter where I will almost reflexively defer to Jim, it's this era of Euro history. That said, ego demanded I do some poking around. I have found the quote in the manner I used it elsewhere on the web - but as the highest ranking entry for that usage is this blog... well, suffice it to say, that the rather more authoritative sources align with Jim.

Sigh. Not because Jim was right - lordy, I've trumped him often enough - no, sigh, because the search function is broken on this creaky blog, and I have to go fix those other entries where people who use Google might come and cite me on the issue - and on this issue, that would be... bad.

Sigh.

Update 2: Fixed!

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6 Comments

By MajMike on August 20, 2007 8:14 AM
SSG Duran is a genius. this one "small" thing will reap huge dividends.
 
By Ymarsakar on August 20, 2007 12:04 PM
Nice news. Maybe even a little out of the box so to speak. Ceremony is a function of tradition. No tradition, no use for ceremony. I wonder how much tradition will be necessary before the Iraqis will come up with their own Medal of Honor. Such traditions are powerful. As powerful as the bonds of love between people fighting together.
 
By JimC on August 20, 2007 2:51 PM
I beg to disagree with you on the quotation of the 'Corsican Ogre' as our 'Limey' friends referred to him when in polite society. A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon. Napoleon Bonaparte
 
By Barb on August 20, 2007 10:55 PM
Well, foo. I thought you'd fixed the Search. No such luck ... still busted. Heh --- you must have located that post with a divining rod ;-)
 
By BillT on August 21, 2007 5:10 AM
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon. The ones who will fight long and hard and don't give a rat's rear for the colored ribbon are the ones you want next to you when the lead rain starts. Might not want to sit next to them at the white-glove functions, buuuut, like John says, "There are tradeoffs..."
 
By Bill on August 23, 2007 2:47 PM
Great site. Your comment regarding Robert Gould Shaw's burial is slightly incorrect. It is true he was buried at the head of his men in the same grave but it was not done as an attempt to insult him but as an attempt to honor him. I can provide you with the written words and reference of the CSA's commanding officer who was responsible for how he was buried if you would like. It was the Northern press that turned his burial into an attempt to insult him by the Confederates. Keep up the good work.