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2007-10-12 Afghanistan

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Posted by Chuck Simmins 2007-10-12 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 I am currently reading "The Commandos" by Douglas C. Waller. My respect for America's special forces has increased but particularly so for the SEALS. What they have to endure in training is simply beyond comprehension. The degree of motivation and dedication shown by these men is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Considering that, for the longest time, special forces have been the red-headed stepchild of America's military, we all have a profound debt of gratitude for the intense commitment shown by these courageous soldiers. It would be a privilege to shake hands with any of them.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-10-12 00:12|| 2007-10-12 00:12|| Front Page Top

#2 Thank you.

Posted by trailing wife 2007-10-12 03:13|| 2007-10-12 03:13|| Front Page Top

#3 I salute them and I am grateful for each of their sacrifices. I have no wish to start another Pat Tilman fiasco but like many old timers, I have become a bit skeptical about awards over the past yars. A full report on why 4 (Navy SEALS) were inserted into the AF mountains on this "recce" mission, prisoner snatch whatever, their instructions, ie, mission guidance/duration, equipment taken in, (equipment subsequently captured), communicaitons, contact plan, resupply, fire support plan, reinforcement plan, exfiltration plan, E&E/go to hell plan, etc, would make most interesting reading. Someone somewhere has surely had to answer some very, very, tough questions regarding this incident/mission. The "Blue Max" is wonderful gesture on the part of the White House and a grateful nation, no argument. A posthumous award in this particular case appears to indicate mission failure. Who failed? What failed? Why? How did we lose these brave warriors and how can we prevent it from happending again?

Posted by Besoeker 2007-10-12 06:37|| 2007-10-12 06:37|| Front Page Top

#4 i think trailing wife said it best

Posted by sinse 2007-10-12 07:33|| 2007-10-12 07:33|| Front Page Top

#5 I just finished Marcus Luttrell's "Lone Survivor." Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. According to Luttrell, the mountain was swarming with the taliban vermin, and he estimated there to be 300 of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's (was identified in book for security reasons as Ben Sharmak) finest. Those four heroes mowed down half of Gulbuddins' force, and Marcus said that 12 Seals could have defeated the whole force and come back with Hekmatyar's scalp. I thought Mike Murphy would get the Medal of Honor, when the Navy awarded Marcus, and the two fallen Seals, Danny Dietz and Michael Axelson, with the Navy Cross, and didn't give Mike Murphy the same award. Marcus Luttrell was saved by Pashtun tribesmen following the age old code of Pashtun conduct called Lokhay Pashtunwalli. This is what we're up against trying to shake binladen, zawahiri, and the rest of the alqaeda out of the Pashtun villages in the tribal lands.

Posted by Galactic Coordinator Shins1195 2007-10-12 08:19|| 2007-10-12 08:19|| Front Page Top

#6 Thank you, Lt. Michael P. Murphy. Rest in honored glory.

Posted by mcsegeek1 2007-10-12 09:13|| 2007-10-12 09:13|| Front Page Top

#7 A posthumous award in this particular case appears to indicate mission failure. Who failed? What failed? Why? How did we lose these brave warriors and how can we prevent it from happending again?

I reckon that is what's being asked. And I suspect that we won't see the report, but the SEALs will see the effects.

Posted by Pappy 2007-10-12 09:32|| 2007-10-12 09:32|| Front Page Top

#8 It is unfortunate that in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the Medal Of Honor has been reserved for posthumous decoration. While it is well deserved, our nation also needs living Medal Of Honor recipients, who can for many years hereafter, personify to our people those rarest of qualities.

Why the hesitation in honoring living heroes?

There are some among us who hate and fear heroes, and do everything in their power to despise and demean them, and to parade their human flaws. But as a nation, we should rise above the meanness of these bitter few, and hold up the living examples of people who deserve to be honored, for their service above and beyond the call of duty.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-10-12 09:45|| 2007-10-12 09:45|| Front Page Top

#9 Moose, the requirements for awarding the MOH are so strict that it frequently ends up being awarded posthumously.
There has to be a living witness to the heroism in order for the medal to be awarded. If Marcus Luttal had died before being rescued, Lt. Murphy would not have gotten the the MOH, since no one would have known about his heroism.

Posted by Rambler">Rambler 2007-10-12 10:55|| 2007-10-12 10:55|| Front Page Top

#10 yeah i think a good MOH recipient would be the guy who had the RPG round lodged in his body and lived or the medical team who removed it

Posted by sinse 2007-10-12 11:04|| 2007-10-12 11:04|| Front Page Top

#11 Remember that a military decoration is not given as just a personal tribute, but to honor that person's family, their community, their State and the nation itself for having produced them and their honorable peers. They remind us all of heroism personified.

Within two miles of my home in Arizona, there is a street named after Joe Foss, though his real home was South Dakota. He is honored here as well, not because of his charitable donations in our State, but because *we* were honored by his presence for a while. Because he was a hero, and a Medal Of Honor recipient.

He had to carry the Medal Of Honor with him wherever he traveled, because it was demanded of him by his nation, by everyone who met him. It was and is a symbol of national pride.

And it was to our utter humiliation, that at Sky Harbor Airport, he was stopped by Homeland Security personnel who refused to let him board an aircraft, saying he might have used his Medal Of Honor as a weapon, to commit a terrorist act.

He was a symbol of America, and belonged to all of us.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-10-12 14:29|| 2007-10-12 14:29|| Front Page Top

#12 And it was to our utter humiliation, that at Sky Harbor Airport, he was stopped by Homeland Security personnel who refused to let him board an aircraft, saying he might have used his Medal Of Honor as a weapon, to commit a terrorist act.

I hope someone lost their job and pension over that.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-10-12 14:57|| 2007-10-12 14:57|| Front Page Top

#13 RIP, Michael. BTW; We, in the crossfit community, perform a workout "Murph" named in his honor.

Posted by Heriberto Glomoth2455 2007-10-12 14:59|| 2007-10-12 14:59|| Front Page Top

#14 "Murph"

For time:
1 mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Squats
1 mile Run

In memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005.

This workout was one of Mike's favorites and he'd named it "Body Armor". From here on it will be referred to as "Murph" in honor of the focused warrior and great American who wanted nothing more in life than to serve this great country and the beautiful people who make it what it is.

Partition the pull-ups, push-ups, and squats as needed. Start and finish with a mile run. If you've got a twenty pound vest or body armor, wear it.

Post time to comments.

Posted by Glurong Hatfield6493 2007-10-12 15:24|| 2007-10-12 15:24|| Front Page Top

#15 Col Wes Fox is a MOH recipient whose still around IIRC. We met him at PI some yrs back when I was stationed there. That was a big deal when I was there as it should be. I served w/his son-in-law (another active duty Marine officer) prior to that. Talk about awe or honor having your father-in-law also be a true war hero.

Posted by Broadhead6 2007-10-12 15:32|| 2007-10-12 15:32|| Front Page Top

#16 I have never had the honor to meet a MOH awardee, but this reminds me of an argument my wife and i have repeatedly: she insists on having me buried in Arlington Cemetery. I insist it is a special place and should be reserved for the real heros, of which the good Lt. is one, and not just for run of the mill Vets like myself. I am not even qualifed to carry Lt. Murphy's jock strap, much less be buried @ Arlington. How do the rest of the Burg Vets feel about Arlington?

Posted by USN, Ret. 2007-10-12 15:54|| 2007-10-12 15:54|| Front Page Top

#17 To many visits to Arlington. To many memories lost there. Save the space for the real heroes.

Besoeker: I don't understand your comment. Seems you think we are medal happy this time. Nothing compared to 'nam. I think we have only given out 2 MoH's and both posthumously. Also, SEAL mission was a common recon on high value target. SEAL are a SFO that does this mission rep quite frequently. They were well covered and quiet. It as only a freak chance encounter with a goat herd that compromised the mission. They let the kid go instead of killing him, knowing retrospectively that they probably sacrificed their lives for their western Christian values. Go ahead, investigate and report but unless you change the RoE and muzzle the Jack Murtha's of the world - you still make these missions "personal" decisions regardless of rank.

Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back! 2007-10-12 16:20|| 2007-10-12 16:20|| Front Page Top

#18 That's a damn good question, USN, Ret. I'm not a veteran but I do know that my grandfather singlehandedly stormed a German machine gun nest and used his sidearm to shoot several enemy soldiers at close quarters. His medical discharge came after suffering permanent pulmonary damage during a mustard gas attack at the Argonne Forest in France.

He, too, could have been buried at Arlington but instead opted for the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. With my adult understanding of what he did in the defense of our country, I can only regard him as a hero.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-10-12 16:30|| 2007-10-12 16:30|| Front Page Top

#19 Zenster, your Grandfather qualifies as a hero in my book as well. Thank you for sharing.

Posted by USN, Ret. 2007-10-12 17:32|| 2007-10-12 17:32|| Front Page Top

#20 I have known but one MOH winner. His name was Hulon B. Whittington, a WWII vet. I met him in the early 1960s. He was an ordinary man but uncommon in his bravery. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetary. He died in 1969 at age 47. The MOH site describes his heroism.

Lt. Murphy was a brave man. "Thanks MOH winner Murphy. You gave all for your team mates and your country.

Posted by JohnQC 2007-10-12 18:10|| 2007-10-12 18:10|| Front Page Top

#21 USN, if it's in anyway handy, Andersonville. I can come and visit you. It has a weird something to it.

:)

Posted by Thomas Woof 2007-10-12 19:41|| 2007-10-12 19:41|| Front Page Top

#22 Andersonville - also an excellent song by Dave Alvin (about the prison camp)....Dave's a fav of mine, a Downey, CA native

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2007-10-12 19:50|| 2007-10-12 19:50|| Front Page Top

#23 Reader Neal Baumann writes:

A Navy Seal will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and the story is receiving little coverage. President Bush announced it yesterday. The story is in section B, page 3 of our local paper (The Journal News). Unbelievable! News 12 Long Island, the local home town cable news channel and web news service for the SEALs home area has no reference to the story.

Posted by Icerigger">Icerigger 2007-10-12 19:55|| 2007-10-12 19:55|| Front Page Top

#24 Nope, no Arlington for me - they can throw my ashes in the wind.

I've only done my job, definitely nothing special. Just glad no one I was in charge of ever got killed. Hopefully that doesn't change over the next 10 yrs or more.

Posted by Broadhead6 2007-10-12 22:37|| 2007-10-12 22:37|| Front Page Top

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