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/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:29:07 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification The press didn't exactly ignore this, but they certainly didn't give it the coverage the blogs did. Of course, yesterday was full of other news that was, arguably, more important - the testimony before Congress of General Petreus and Ambassador Crocker. But the blogs have covered it pretty thoroughly, and I have nothing useful to add except that *damn* it seems to take an awful long time for the Medal of Honor to work it's way through the system. Navy SEAL Monsoor was awarded his medal for falling on a grenade to save his comrades. I wonder what the status... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:00:34 -0600 What they said. Spilled some ethanol. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71783 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71783 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:09:21 -0600 I found the Seal's way of honoring their heroic dead most inspiring. I had no idea and I must admit I had to reach for a soft piece of white paper manufactured by Kimberly-Clark. This should have been the lead story in every newspaper in America today and the lead story last night on all newscasts. Thanks John for your usual fine job. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71760 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71760 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:15:34 -0600 Well whatever awards regime could possibly be in place, Petty Officer Monsoor would be decorated for his selflessness and courage. An extraordinary man, and an extraordinary deed. Thanks for making sure the ceremony got noticed, John. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71734 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71734 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:44:19 -0600 I suspect that the delay is pretty much due to Someone being insistent that the deeds listed in the citation really merit the MOH. Given the horrible way lesser awards are being handed out by rota/duty position (way, WAY too many chairwarming fobbits who never go outside the wire are coming home with Bronze Stars, while kids on their third combat tour in a rifle platoon get by with nothing more than a campaign medal,) I suspect that there's a fair amount of effort being made to insure that nothing like that happens with the MOH. There are days when I think that we should do away with all medals that do not recognize valor in the face of the enemy, and any other awards that are not related to combat or to preparation for combat. No medals for "achievement," no medals for being the perfect staff officer, no ribbons for having spent three years in Europe issuing towels in the kaserne gymnasium and boxing on the Division boxing team. Granted, that would cut down my own stack of ribbons to a single example of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and a CIB. And maybe my two sets of wings and my Expert Rifleman badge if they were to be considered related to preparation for combat. But I think I could live with that. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71723 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71723 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:02:47 -0600 kat- thanks for the vid link. i actually made it about 1/3 of the way thru before grabbing for the kleenex. mandatory viewing for all. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71721 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71721 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:30:20 -0600 Video of Mansoor Medal ceremony]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71716 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71716 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:49:33 -0600 I switched over from Senate hearings to the ceremony. Glad I did. It was so worth watching but when it was over, switching back only made me a little (more)sick to my stomach. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71712 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/mike_monsoors_m.html#comment-71712 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:27:19 -0600