I always get a good snicker when I run into P-3 dudes with a few Air Medals... V's and all... these dudes clearly deserve the Silver Star in addition to their paycheck for simply doing their job.
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MEDALS?? We don't NEED no STEEEENKIN' badges !!! *split thread*
- Thread starter MAKE VAPES
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IMHO you could say that about most everyone wearing an Air Medal after, say, Vietnam. Probably say that about many of the DFCs, too.
Don't cry for the sacredness of the DFC. If you look up the history, that medal has been abused off and on ever since the 1920s.
Not to threadjack, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. The problem with medals has, and probably will always be, that some people nearly die getting the same recognition that someone else got for sticking his thumb up his butt.
Not to threadjack, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. The problem with medals has, and probably will always be, that some people nearly die getting the same recognition that someone else got for sticking his thumb up his butt.
Exactly, this book I just got describes how the Army Air Forces and even the Navy in WWII awarded DFCs for a certain number combat missions, just like the Air Medal nowadays (and back then) in addition to specific acts of valor and bravery.
Sometimes the DFC means something, IMHO, this LT earned his. http://hamptonroads.com/2010/04/downed-navy-pilot-honored-norfolk-sacrifice
MasterBates
Well-Known Member
I think you might get a real strong arguement from a lot of us Army and Marine R/W guys on here. My guard unit had a hand full of V device air medals and I can tell you they were well deserved. Our BDE had six DFC's. If getting an aircraft on the deck and saving the crew after taking a direct hit with an RPG doesn't warrant a DFC than you might be right.
Notice that the post I quoted before mine said that "they were just doing their job".
I'm not about to do combat with individuals as to if their AMs or DFCs were deserved or not. Most guys I know who 'deserved' getting medals never thought they were doing anything other than their job.
Medals: Always a contentious issue. Probably always will be.
Medals varied widely. They were relative to timeframe, service, specific command, and other things. They are not always tied to accomplishment. They are indeed inconsistent. They are very subjective.
For instance: My air wing spent the record number of days of all in combat for the entire war, during an 11th month cruise in Vietnam.
Although the bulk of our flying was over the North, and frequently "downtown", and while some of our aircraft took hits and one crew became POWs, IIRC, only two of our 15 crews received a DFC.... despite some incredibly flying and devastating attacks under heavy enemy fire by everyone.
Compare that to Air Force Pilots who automatically received a 'kiss-goodbye' DFC at the end of their tour, even if they never flew over the North. Every one of them!
CAG said it was just our job – which it was – and we didn't need anything extra other than combat pay, for doing the job for which we trained. Only something really, really extreme garnered a DFC. Even individual Air Medals were difficult to receive, as were NCMs. But we still got 'beaucoup' of them... the hard way.
So suck it up. The guys that know, know. Anyone else doesn't count, do they?
Medals varied widely. They were relative to timeframe, service, specific command, and other things. They are not always tied to accomplishment. They are indeed inconsistent. They are very subjective.
For instance: My air wing spent the record number of days of all in combat for the entire war, during an 11th month cruise in Vietnam.
Although the bulk of our flying was over the North, and frequently "downtown", and while some of our aircraft took hits and one crew became POWs, IIRC, only two of our 15 crews received a DFC.... despite some incredibly flying and devastating attacks under heavy enemy fire by everyone.
Compare that to Air Force Pilots who automatically received a 'kiss-goodbye' DFC at the end of their tour, even if they never flew over the North. Every one of them!
CAG said it was just our job – which it was – and we didn't need anything extra other than combat pay, for doing the job for which we trained. Only something really, really extreme garnered a DFC. Even individual Air Medals were difficult to receive, as were NCMs. But we still got 'beaucoup' of them... the hard way.
So suck it up. The guys that know, know. Anyone else doesn't count, do they?
Medals that matter: Silver Star, Navy Cross, and Medal of Honor.
Everything else is just chest chaff.
Everything else is just chest chaff.
FlyingOnFumes
Nobel WAR Prize Aspirant
Purple Heart?
My apologies, forgot that one. There are more, but as far as NAMs, Navy Coms, even the MSMs that most skippers get as a kiss out the door all fall under chest candy.
Whoa...
That is YOUR opinion...I certainly do, and others may, disagree! A "blanket" statement like that, tends to cheapen awards (other than "the big three"). See post #222 below by Catmando. :icon_mi_6
The term "chest chaff/candy", is an ugly one to me...when applied so broadly. FWIW, just my honest opinion. :sleep_125
BzB
That is YOUR opinion...I certainly do, and others may, disagree! A "blanket" statement like that, tends to cheapen awards (other than "the big three"). See post #222 below by Catmando. :icon_mi_6
The term "chest chaff/candy", is an ugly one to me...when applied so broadly. FWIW, just my honest opinion. :sleep_125
BzB
Harrier Dude
Living the dream
You forgot the only one that is pretty much indisputable.....
The sea service deployment ribbon.