Private Lynch

Hi all! Not trying to start a big controversy here or anything, but I thought this was a good article written by someone that I respect!

Using Private Lynch


By David H. Hackworth



Pfc. Jessica Lynch recently was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart and the POW Medal. The BSM citation reads: “For exemplary courage under fire during combat operations to liberate Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Private First Class Lynch's bravery and heart persevered while surviving in the ambush and captivity in An Nasiriya.”



A BSM for “bravery” and “surviving in the ambush and captivity”!



The Army's official After-Action Report said she was in a vehicle that crashed while hauling butt trying to escape an enemy ambush. She was knocked unconscious and woke up at a nearby Iraqi hospital receiving special attention from some super-caring Iraqi doctors and nurses.



This was probably the first incident in U.S. military history in which an American soldier was awarded our country’s fourth-highest ground-fighting award for being conked out and off the air throughout a fight.



BSMs citing bravery typically read: “Moving his machine gun to a forward vantage point, he covered the advance of the infantry with a heavy volume of effective fire. Repeatedly exposing himself to a devastating small-arms automatic weapons and mortar barrage …. ” Or: “(He) voluntarily acted as point man and ... when the platoon was fired upon ... charged the (enemy) position .... Through his courage, determination and devotion to duty, he saved his patrol from suffering casualties and captured a prisoner who later provided important information.”



It’s no big surprise that I’ve been bombarded by thousands of angry e-mails from vets protesting this assault on our country’s sacred award system.



“She wasn’t wounded in action, nor did she do anything to deserve a Bronze Star,” writes Arch McNeill. “We have hundreds of valiant soldiers here in the 3rd Division who far more deserve more than she received but in many cases didn’t receive anything.”



“I'm going to send all my awards back to the president and tell him where he can shove them,” says a genuine war hero, Jack Speed, a former Army Raider.



Trust me, the troops – past and present – are unhappy.



So I rang the Pentagon and asked Col. Jeff Keane, “Why the bravery bit?” Finally, when the standard Army propaganda drill wasn’t going down, Keane told me, “It was for her bravery in the hospital.”



But all this flimflam wasn’t Jessica Lynch’s doing. She was used right from the first – a frail prop in the Pentagon’s public-relations campaign to sell the war to the American people and to encourage their daughters to join up and be heroes.



To keep the truth under wraps, the Army concocted another whopper: “She suffers from amnesia.”



A senior officer from V Corps (the unit that eventually awarded her the BSM), who has asked to remain anonymous, comments that there was “tremendous pressure right from the get-go to award Pvt. Lynch a Silver Star. But the high brass here concluded, ‘There was no evidence of heroism on her part,’ and told the pushers to back off.”



But when the propagandists conned the highly respected Washington Post into reporting on how Lynch was shot and stabbed but continued to kill Iraqis until her last round was spent, heroic stuff that would make Audie Murphy look like a slacker – which the Post then took several months to correct – other media were fast to pick up the fairy tale, and the Army was besieged by proud Americans demanding that Jessica be awarded the Medal of Honor.



Of course, many of us now know that a high-priced flack in Tommy Frank’s headquarters came up with this tall tale and then duped the Post.



According to retired Marine Lt. Col. Roger Charles: “There’s nothing they won’t stoop to spin. The Army needed a female hero to boost female recruiting and PR efforts, so they went and invented one.”



And that’s the root of the problem. The elevation of Jessica to Joan of Arc status is to recruit more women, even though thousands of female soldiers couldn’t deploy with their units to Iraq because of pregnancy, no sitters for single moms’ multiple kids and other problems.



And poor Jessica Lynch has become the unwitting poster girl for an Army of One that’s fast becoming an Army of Two – since apparently more than half of the women deployed to Iraq are now pregnant.



Hackworth.com is the address of David Hackworth's home page. Sign in for the free weekly Defending America column at his Web site. Send mail to P.O. Box 11179, Greenwich, CT 06831. His newest book is “Steel My Soldiers’ Hearts.”

© 2003 David H. Hackworth.

 

I read something very similar to this earlier in the year, actually I thought there was something fishy from the moment I heared a report on the news describing the heroic rescue of Pte Lynch, a description of what she 'had probably' been through and a release by the pentagon followed by the phrase 'she has phoned her parents and told them that she is fine'. Now if you have suffered everything they made out she had been through, why do you tell your parents you are totally fine, more to the point, could she have told them so? Also, has anyone heared about the US special forces beating up inmates at the hospital for information? The destruction of the facilities for treating burns victims? The beating of the doctors who helped Pte Lynch? Very iffy indeed.

 

You know I was thinking the same thing, that the pentagon was using her for propaganda the get more support for the war. I don't think she has anything to do with it other than being a pawn, but if she can get some milage out of it with a book or movie, then good for her !

Bush needs to get out of there soon since the killing of one and two soldiers a day, everyday is going to put him out of favor with the people.

Thanks Doc for posting the article ! Makes me feel better that I am not the only one thinking this way.

 

I don't know if any of you guys remember some months ago when I posted that I bet she will get a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, a POW Medal and an Iraq Campaign Medal and probably something else for being in combat.

Well--a few people laughed and thought I was nuts for saying so but--look at what she recieved. Looks like I was wrong on one thing--as there seems to be no mention of her being awarded an Iraq Campaign Medal, and I had posted that she would get that as well.

I never believed Lynch was an Audie Leon Murphy kind of hero. Sarge--my roommate--couldn't believe his ears at the thought of this gal being a war hero. Sarge was in the think of things while serving in Korea--so he's a soldier from the "Old School."

Sarge was fighting in Korea--and he did recieve numerous commadations and medals etx--but was never really noted for his bravery in combat against the North Koreans.

Strange is it not? A girl knocked out--gets a COMBAT bravery award--and most likely--she never fired a shot.

I think Lynch also deserves a and a NOT.

*===================================================================================================*

It's also now (unfortunately) well-known that the Bronze Star is no longer a significant COMBAT award. It was cheapened in it's meaning because of the wrongful awarding of so many dozens of thousands of them during and after the 1st Gulf War.

Thank you mr slick willy, for cheapening yet--another American item.

[ 27. August 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

 

Yes you did Carl and I was surprised that she was awarded a medal for bravery. What about the others? When I read the announcement of the award, I about puked. It demeans the actions of those who actually earned it. I am disgusted with the pentagon for going political. She can't even remember what happened and yet we are awarding her with a medal for bravery? It sucks.

 

Guys, remember that she can't really do anything about this. This poor girl probably doesn't understand what is happening to her and why. She is obviously being used by the military/government in some kind of myth building. I guess it is not for no reason that she has refused to speak out (yet).

Don't take it out on her, she is just a patsy.

 

Ok, we wont take it out on her, until the film and the book are brought out and flash the story of 'what happened' all over the world. FranklyI find the whole thing sickening. As for the bronze star issue, I heared that two were issued to people loading transport vehicles in the US during the last gulf war!

 

Thank you, Stefan - That is very gentlemanly...

As to the bronze star: What WAS the prerequisite to get a Bronze Star is WW2 anyway?

 

The whole thing is an absurdity!!! Seems to me that the department responsible for showering this hapless young girl with so many undeserved citations of gallantry is nothing more than our governments flagrant misuse of the commadations/awards used to decorate well deserving combat soldiers being used for its own propaganda purposes! Its things like this that increasingly fuel my fires of disenchantment with the U.S. government. Deserving combat vets should feel like they've been slapped in the face! Hell, I wonder if the airmen shot down over Iraq during Desert Storm recieved as much recognition? They even knew they were going into combat unlike Lynch and her logistics convoy. What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Gents,

Whether the awards/decorations are deserved or not, fact is that she DID see combat, that several of her buddies were KIA and she was wounded. I agree that many instances of bravery have and will go undecorated, but I feel it is wrong to demean the efforts of pvt. Lynch. It is the Pentagon who is milking her situation.

I wonder how the SF guys feel that pulled her out of that hospital.

It kind of reminds me of that story about that joint US SF-SAS unit in Afganistan that liberated a CIA man at Bazaar-al-sharif (or something similar). Every man in that unit was given either the Medal of Honor or some other high decoration. I think 4 MOH's were awarded for that mission. I wonder why the Austrian film crew that was with them at the time didn't receive any commendation or recognition....

 

Glad too see you back PzJgr--hope things are well for you in the new home.

Also--I fully agree with you on this.

Stevin--all the news agencies were trying to do was to make her a female version of Audie Murphy--which I take great offense to.

Now for her "not remembering" anything--couild possibly be due to the chain of command and what they wanted her to "remember."

Also, now that she is out of the military--I guess she can "spill a few beans" on what happened but--I suspect she cannot really divuldge any info because her jaw is "broken."

 

Whilest I may agree that she did not start it, she could correct it by stating what we have. Also, why bother with book and movie rights. I thought she could not remember a thing? She is just at fault. my opinion.

And thank you Carl. We changed where we moved to. Instead of San Antonio, we moved to Ohio. My wife's home state. What possessed me to propose that I will never know. I am already missing the Great State of Texas. Have some good Tex Mex for me.

 

Ohio?--well......... RATS. I was hoping to visit you in San Antonio sometime. I have a few relatives still living there--so that still gives me a reason to go there.

I will have some good Tex-Mex for you tomorrow when Sarge Vahaly and I go out for lunch. I was going to have some for lunch today but--he called and asked me if I wanted some tomorrow--which I said was even better.

Can you even get Tortillias there? or Tortillia Chips? If not--i'll be glad to send some Chips your way.

 

yes I know. As for tortillas, they do carry the packaged kind made by Mission and Tia Rosa's. Not bad but not homemade. I will consider it survival food. Just enough to keep me alive. There is a Mexican Tienda up here near a predominantly Puerto Rican area. Found me some pinto beans (super Kmart does not carry them) and even Cilantro. So I may make it up here. But the move is not permanant so you may see me in Texas again. I will be making annual trips though.

 

Wow, (IMHO) what a farcical debate. Let’s rewind to the facts – at least as I believe them to be. There’s a bunch of mechanics as part of a big convoy repositioning to a relatively secure forward position. A bunch of non assault personnel get lost by taking a wrong turn and head off where there are no signs off extensive heavy military traffic. They run into an unsecure area and get ambushed and shot up.

To no great surprise most get killed, some get wounded and captured. Are they ‘heroes’ – what the f**k for ?????????????? No, they’re knuckle heads or unlucky – not heroes. This obviously, obvious to me anyway, has nothing whatsoever to so with them being Americans.

So, they get a girl back whose been shot and captured – big deal. But now here comes the spin. The spin doctors want to give the people a ‘hero’ and what’s more it a woman. Enter the medals ,hype, book, TV appearances and the Hollywood blockbuster. And all Americans are duly expected to stand, hug their heart, sing the song and shed a tear. Total and utter bollocks. This is pure entertainment and has damn all to do with acknowledging the exceptional service of a soldier up and above the call of duty. In real terms, and I’d love to hear more which I’m not aware of, this girl’s only deed was simply being there as a passenger in the vehicle that got shot-up. Fortunately, it wasn’t by her own side on this occasion – (sorry, couldn’t resist that).

Carl made a very valid point about decorations I totally agree with and by no means is this confined to the US. My late father-in-law was awarded a military MBE for his actions as a Major in the Royal Engineers against the Japanese, fighting out of the ‘box’ in Burma. Prior to this he led an escape from a POW camp in N.Africa. When they gave 4 long haired money spinning profiteers gongs for – making themselves a crock load of money – my mother-in-law had to retrieve his MBE from the dustbin where he threw it after receiving a pathetic reply letter from the Palace, as he was among the many who wrote in protest.

No.9

 

PzJgr--glad there is a bit of "survival food" there for you and i'm happy to hear the move aint permenamt--but don't wait too long to get back here.

Speaking of Cilantro--there is a place within 5 minutes walking distance from my Apartment called Cilantros--and their food is prety good tasting.

I hope you don't have to exist on eating at any Taco Bell?

Nice to hear there still are K-Marts in existance. Ours went belly up aver a year ago. Wasn't a bad place but--didn't really offer much in the savings department--so one was normally forced into going to H.E.Bs or Wal-Mart anyway

 

Aaaah! H.E.B. The most northern one was in Waco. did not make it to Dallas which is a shame because I really loved their Market Place Stores. No Taco Bell's up here so far at least where I'm at but they do have a Chi Chi's. Not Mexican. More like Californian Noveau Mexican.

 

2 different subjects:

1) In reply on what Nr 9 said about his Grandfather. Lynch fully well knows that she does not deserved the Bronze Star--and she SHOULD do the correct and moral thing and refuse to accept it. Now--on the other hand--I think (as well as the govt) she does deserve the Purple Heart because she was wounded, plus the POW medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal and maybe another Good Conduct Medal or Army Accomodation Medal-or both of these but not a Bronze Star.

Getting a Bronze Star means that one has to stand up in battle and shoot the ememy and be shot at--not be unconscious and in a hospital. Makes zero sense to me.


2) Reply to PzJgr:

I'm surprised there isnt an H.E.Bs where your at--they are in several other states now. Chi Chis--I remember that place. Over 20 years or so ago we were on vacation in Oklahoma--and my Aunt wanted to go eat at a Chi Chis in Yukon or somewhere. Anyway--they thought that was great Mexican Food but--we thought it was almost as bad as smelling roadkill--but did not say anything.

They thought it was the best but--"we" knew better. Now if you want great Mexican Food--you would have to go to El Jardin in Kingsville, (my hometown) now THEY have some great Mexican food. We also had another great spot to eat at--called the Monterey house. They were good and almost as good as El Jardin. Nobody else in town came even close to these two places.

It's lucky you don't have any taco bells-------yet, but also your lucky that you don't have any Taco Fiestas either

 

I agree with Carl that she does deserve the POW medal, heart etc. I also agree that if she is to be respected (at least by me) then she should do the honourable thing and return her medal. It is sickening. I can't wait to see the film, not least because I am fully aware of the fact that people will see it and assume that is what happened. If people believe it is what happened, to all intents and purposes, it is what happened.

 

The essence Carl, is that Lynch is being made a publicity spectacle of, and more so because she’s a girl. In the US Forces you get an injury you get a Purple Heart – not necessarily for taking a bullet in a battle. A friend of mine from Indianapolis has one from the Navy during Korea because he dropped an angle grinder on his leg when doing some maintenance aboard a ship that was firing the odd shell on an island while at anchor!

The girl got injured, OK, give her a Purple Heart. If a medal is given to anyone who became a POW, she did so give her the medal. She was in the Gulf on active service so give her a Gulf Campaign medal. But a ‘hero’??? She’ll take the Bronze Star and anything else they give her, and there will be more. Then when she meets a Veteran of Bastogne or such like, I’m sure they’ll salute her and ask for her autograph – not everyday they meet a real hero after all.

The point is, it does nothing for the little girl from hometown USA, but it does spit in the face of the soldiers in the welfare queues where no one knows their name unless it’s written on their social security card. Anyway, there’s not much mileage in picking on the girl when its officialdom doing the spitting.



No.9


ps, it was my father-in-law, my wife’s father, who got the MBE. My grandfathers died in 1950 and 1959.