Bruce P. Crandall, CMoH

[X-Files]

Army Soldier Earns Medal of Honor for Vietnam Valor

 

Feb 09, 2007

 

The White House announced today, Feb. 9, that President George W. Bush will present the Medal of Honor to Army veteran Bruce P. Crandall in recognition of his valor at Landing Zone X-Ray during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam.

 

Crandall, who will receive the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony Feb. 26, will be recognized for repeatedly flying to a landing zone under intense enemy fire to rescue and re-supply 1st Cavalry Division ground Soldiers. Even after the landing zone closed, Crandall, then a major, led two aircraft into the area on medical evacuation and re-supply missions, transporting more than 70 wounded Soldiers to safety.

 

The Army will honor Crandall at a Pentagon ceremony Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.

 

For more information, visit www.army.mil/medalofhonor/crandall for more information on the Medal of Honor, background on Crandall's bravery, and the event for which Crandall was recognized for his bravery.

[Kensuke]

While I think he probably deserves it, this smacks of bullshit posturing by the current administration to find some war heroes and boost support for the military.

 

He *did* receive the Distinguished Service Cross for the action in question, Moore spoke glowingly of him in his book, and the movie does him a lot of justice. So it's not like he completely went unnoticed.

 

- John

[Geoff Winnington-Ball]

Outstanding, and thank you for that, X. I hope someone from here will be in attendance at the ceremony.

 

I read the book when it first came out, and own the movie. These men awe me. I shall watch the movie again this eve, with a new perspective.

 

BTW, Bob Mason, author of CHICKENHAWK, mentions the same action; it explains a lot. I hope that both he and Hal Moore are there. They certainly deserve to be.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball]

While I think he probably deserves it, this smacks of bullshit posturing by the current administration to find some war heroes and boost support for the military.

 

He *did* receive the Distinguished Service Cross for the action in question, Moore spoke glowingly of him in his book, and the movie does him a lot of justice. So it's not like he completely went unnoticed.

 

- John

John, I don't know how to say this politely, so I'll run with the vernacular -- PISS OFF. It is said that winners of the American DSC and the British/Commonwealth MC/DCM/DSO very often deserved the MoH and VC respectively. I DO know that in 21st Army Group, for instance, I have seen medal reccommendations downgraded radically by Montgomery himself; I've seen the paper trail. I suspect the U.S. Army was the same.

 

Unless you hold a DSC or higher, I repeat, you have no right to question a man's valour. That does not wash on THIS forum. Understood?

[Jim Martin]

Outstanding, and thank you for that, X. I hope someone from here will be in attendance at the ceremony.

 

White House ceremony. Nobody but people on the guest list.

[120mm]

John, I don't know how to say this politely, so I'll run with the vernacular -- PISS OFF. It is said that winners of the American DSC and the British/Commonwealth MC/DSO very often deserved the MoH and VC respectively. I DO know that in 21st Army Group, for instance, I have seen medal reccommendations downgraded radically by Montgomery himself; I've seen the paper trail. I suspect the U.S. Army was the same.

 

Unless you hold a DSC or higher, I repeat, you have no right to question a man's valour. That does not wash on THIS forum. Understood?

 

I've heard whispers that Crandall's threatening a fellow officer at the time made even the DSC a "close run thing". I know a guy who probably should've gotten a Bronze Star w/V at the minimum who got _nothing_ during OIF I, because he was involved in a car accident and BG Vinnie fucking Boles (may he rot in hell) had a "zero-tolerance" policy for awards.

 

Having said that, Crandall earned the CMoH at X-Ray, and at probably more locations, as well.

[X-Files]

While I think he probably deserves it, this smacks of bullshit posturing by the current administration to find some war heroes and boost support for the military.

 

He *did* receive the Distinguished Service Cross for the action in question, Moore spoke glowingly of him in his book, and the movie does him a lot of justice. So it's not like he completely went unnoticed.

 

- John

The upgrade of awards to the CMoH has precedence, and is a lengthy process since they aren't given out like Cracker Jack prizes. Here is one:

 

For Immediate Release

Office of the Press Secretary

July 16, 2001

 

President Presents Medal of Honor to Captain Ed W. Freeman

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20...20010716-1.html

 

 

It was in the second year of Lyndon Johnson's presidency that Army Captain Ed Freeman did something that the men of the 7th Calvary [ ] have never forgotten. Years pass, even decades, but the memory of what happened on November 14, 1965 has always stayed with them.

 

For his actions that day, Captain Freeman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. But the men who were there, including the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall, felt a still a higher honor was called for. Through the unremitting efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Crandall and many others, and the persuasive weight from Senator John McCain, the story now comes to its rightful conclusion.

 

That story began with the battalion surrounded by the enemy, in one of Vietnam's fiercest battles. The survivors remember the desperate fear of almost certain death. They remember gunfire that one witness described as the most intense he had ever seen. And they remember the sight of an unarmed helicopter coming to their aid.

 

The man at the controls flew through the gunfire not once, not 10 times, but at least 21 times. That single helicopter brought the water, ammunition and supplies that saved many lives on the ground. And the same pilot flew more than 70 wounded soldiers to safety.

Edited February 13, 2007 by X-Files

[X-Files]

As an interesting aside, LTC Crandall is the second with that name to hold the CMoH.

 

LT Orson L Crandall for heroism during rescue and salvage operations on USS Squalus (SS-192), following her accidental sinking on 23 May 1939.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us...-c/o-crandl.htm

Edited February 13, 2007 by X-Files

[Sailor Lars]

Well, about time he got -the- medal

 

In Winter-Continuation war here in Finland, we got a problem with, especially with our fighter-jocks, that the "pool" for Mannerheim-cross of Knighthood was "spent out", thus people with rather incredible merits did not get their medals.. quite right. Sad but true, and very reminding about this very thread.

[Jim Martin]

Just been reading about this guy in 'We were soldiers once and young', and it was a quite staggering achievement that he, and the rest of his unit made. Very well deserved and not before time.

 

I do hope that it might focus minds on the Englishman Rick Rescorla who fought in the same battle. He still hasnt been rewarded for his remarkable achievement during 911, when he died saving many lives.

 

http://www.rickrescorla.com/

 

 

Rescorla was an Englishman? He was a Lieutenant in the US Army at LZ X-Ray. He wouldn't rate the MoH for actions on 9/11, have to be one of Congress' awards for civilians.

[120mm]

Yup, Rescorla was an Englishman, and sang Cornish songs during the long night to keep his platoon's spirits up on LZ X-Ray.

 

He also developed the evacuation plan that paid off in the first WTC bombing in 1994.

 

As well, he led thousands to safety on 9/11, when he was killed while going back up to get more, when the building collapsed.

 

Garry Owen!

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2251529.stm

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rescorla

[Kensuke]

John, I don't know how to say this politely, so I'll run with the vernacular -- PISS OFF. It is said that winners of the American DSC and the British/Commonwealth MC/DCM/DSO very often deserved the MoH and VC respectively. I DO know that in 21st Army Group, for instance, I have seen medal reccommendations downgraded radically by Montgomery himself; I've seen the paper trail. I suspect the U.S. Army was the same.

 

Unless you hold a DSC or higher, I repeat, you have no right to question a man's valour. That does not wash on THIS forum. Understood?

 

No I don't hold a DSC. And I'm sorry if I pissed you off Geoff. In my defense, I *did* say that he probably deserves it. I wasn't there. The after-action reports and Moore's book suggests that his actions probably were MoH worthy. I did not question his valor. I'm questioning the government's rationale. Why now instead of then?

If its a oversight, fine. If it's something that's designed to make the look good, I think that's BS. I think somewhere in the ceremony they should explain why they fucked up and didn't give this man the MoH he deserved in 1968.

 

Also, while his heroism at LZ X-Ray are undisputed, I'd be careful about using the movie as a guide. The scene where he pulls a gun on a medivac chopper pilot was

NOT in Moore's book. I'd take LTGEN Moore's account over Randall Wallace any day of the week.

 

- John

[baboon6]

Yup, Rescorla was an Englishman, and sang Cornish songs during the long night to keep his platoon's spirits up on LZ X-Ray.

 

He also developed the evacuation plan that paid off in the first WTC bombing in 1994.

 

As well, he led thousands to safety on 9/11, when he was killed while going back up to get more, when the building collapsed.

 

Garry Owen!

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2251529.stm

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rescorla

 

Some of that Wikpedia article really is silly. " The events of the war made a deep impression on Rescorla". Come on, he was six years old when it ended.

 

Veteran of three wars- Cyprus was I suppose in a state of low-intensity war at the time. Northern Rhodesia in the early 60s- a few riots, a bit of unrest, a general state of unease but certainly not a war. I think people see the word "Rhodesia" and immediately think of the bush war in (Southern) Rhodesia in the 1970s. Vietnam- of course. Another article I read said he served with 22SAS in Cyprus- funny because they were in Malaya and Oman at the time. The famous one in the New Yorker describes communist-backed insurgencies in Cyprus in the late 50s and Northern Rhodesia in the early 60s- nonsense. There was definitely an insurgency in Cyprus but it was carried out by nationalists who wanted union with Greece-certainly not communists. As I wrote above you couldn't call the isolated incidents of violence in Northern Rhodesia at that time an insurgency.

 

Col. Rescorla was undoubtedly a hero, both in Vietnam and on 9/11, but there's no need to embellish the story.

Edited February 14, 2007 by baboon6

[X-Files]

I did not question his valor. I'm questioning the government's rationale. Why now instead of then?

 

http://63.99.108.76/forums/index.php?s=&am...st&p=426231

[DwightPruitt]

No I don't hold a DSC. And I'm sorry if I pissed you off Geoff. In my defense, I *did* say that he probably deserves it. I wasn't there. The after-action reports and Moore's book suggests that his actions probably were MoH worthy. I did not question his valor. I'm questioning the government's rationale. Why now instead of then?

If its a oversight, fine. If it's something that's designed to make the look good, I think that's BS. I think somewhere in the ceremony they should explain why they fucked up and didn't give this man the MoH he deserved in 1968.

 

Also, while his heroism at LZ X-Ray are undisputed, I'd be careful about using the movie as a guide. The scene where he pulls a gun on a medivac chopper pilot was

NOT in Moore's book. I'd take LTGEN Moore's account over Randall Wallace any day of the week.

 

- John

 

It's not common, but it's not unheard of to upgrade DSC's to MoH. It happened 20-odd times in the 1990's alone.

[M1Buck]

I've heard whispers that Crandall's threatening a fellow officer at the time made even the DSC a "close run thing". I know a guy who probably should've gotten a Bronze Star w/V at the minimum who got _nothing_ during OIF I, because he was involved in a car accident and BG Vinnie fucking Boles (may he rot in hell) had a "zero-tolerance" policy for awards.

 

Having said that, Crandall earned the CMoH at X-Ray, and at probably more locations, as well.

 

After spending a year at a Division level staff for more than a year, I've seen so many awards that were downgraded by the "awards committee" than actually went through. Funny thing is, every member of that committee got a bronze star--go figure!

[Geoff Winnington-Ball]

No I don't hold a DSC. And I'm sorry if I pissed you off Geoff. In my defense, I *did* say that he probably deserves it. I wasn't there. The after-action reports and Moore's book suggests that his actions probably were MoH worthy. I did not question his valor. I'm questioning the government's rationale. Why now instead of then?

If its a oversight, fine. If it's something that's designed to make the look good, I think that's BS. I think somewhere in the ceremony they should explain why they fucked up and didn't give this man the MoH he deserved in 1968.

 

Also, while his heroism at LZ X-Ray are undisputed, I'd be careful about using the movie as a guide. The scene where he pulls a gun on a medivac chopper pilot was

NOT in Moore's book. I'd take LTGEN Moore's account over Randall Wallace any day of the week.

 

- John

You didn't "piss me off"... you offended my sense of honour as a soldier. I stand for all of us here who have served, and stand for all who have served before us. It is a sacred honour I shall carry with me to my grave. Do you understand that? I hope so.

 

Ignore the movie, although if you watch the extras, Hal Moore himself says "this time they got it right". For me, that carries a lot of weight. I watched it again this aft, and the scenes with Snakeshit and Too Tall meant more knowing the honours they've finally been bestowed. Hal Moore wouldn't have said what he did if this weren't the case.

 

Listen, I know guys who went through the shit in '68/69... personally. No, i wasn't there, but I know what it cost them. And hell, I gave the eulogy at the memorial service of an 85 year-old friend who told me things he NEVER told his wife. I could tell you many other stories.

 

My friend, all of this is a STATE OF MIND. I consider it my duty to perpetuate it. To see what's behind a man's eyes is to see things no one who hasn't been there can understand.

 

My respect goes beyond books and movies, but I have to admit, Mel did a good job in this one. As Moore seems to agree, I will accept it. Crandall and Freeman seem well-portrayed.

 

These are my Brothers, and I'll stand for them anytime, anywhere, as long as I live. Most here will agree even if they don't comment.

[120mm]

No I don't hold a DSC. And I'm sorry if I pissed you off Geoff. In my defense, I *did* say that he probably deserves it. I wasn't there. The after-action reports and Moore's book suggests that his actions probably were MoH worthy. I did not question his valor. I'm questioning the government's rationale. Why now instead of then?

If its a oversight, fine. If it's something that's designed to make the look good, I think that's BS. I think somewhere in the ceremony they should explain why they fucked up and didn't give this man the MoH he deserved in 1968.

 

Also, while his heroism at LZ X-Ray are undisputed, I'd be careful about using the movie as a guide. The scene where he pulls a gun on a medivac chopper pilot was

NOT in Moore's book. I'd take LTGEN Moore's account over Randall Wallace any day of the week.

 

- John

 

The incident when he pulls a gun on the medevac chopper pilot are not in Moore's book ANY MORE. Find an early version of it, and it's in there, as well as certain conjecture about why LTC Dade took his battalion on a "boy scout march" and got it wiped out at Albany as well as a reference to the parents of a US soldier featured in the book "Friendly Fire" who continue to stalk Moore, wherever he goes.

 

I gave away my copy of this version, and the next one I purchased had these three incidents omitted. My guess is that Hal Moore rethought putting those in there for whatever reason.

[Murph]

Citation

 

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

 

Major Bruce P. Crandall distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as a Flight Commander in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On 14 November 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the la Drang Valley. On the fourth troop lift, the airlift began to take enemy fire, and by the time the aircraft had refueled and returned for the next troop lift, the enemy had Landing Zone X-Ray targeted. As Major Crandall and the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops on his fifth troop lift, his unarmed helicopter came under such intense enemy fire that the ground commander ordered the second flight of eight aircraft to abort their mission. As Major Crandall flew back to Plei Me, his base of operations, he determined that the ground commander of the besieged infantry batallion desperately needed more ammunition. Major Crandall then decided to adjust his base of operations to Artillery Firebase Falcon in order to shorten the flight distance to deliver ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers. While medical evacuation was not his mission, he immediately sought volunteers and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the two aircraft to Landing Zone X-Ray. Despite the fact that the landing zone was still under relentless enemy fire, Major Crandall landed and proceeded to supervise the loading of seriously wounded soldiers aboard his aircraft. Major Crandall's voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. This greatly enhanced morale and the will to fight at a critical time. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. That day he completed a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire, retiring from the battlefield only after all possible service had been rendered to the Infantry battalion. His actions provided critical resupply of ammunition and evacuation of the wounded. Major Crandall's daring acts of bravery and courage in the face of an overwhelming and determined enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

 

 

 

 

President Bush Presents the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall

East Room

 

 

2:30 P.M. EST

 

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome. I am pleased that you all are here on a very special day. Presenting the Medal of Honor is one of the great privileges for the President. The medal is the highest military decoration a President can confer. This medal is awarded for actions above and beyond the call of duty.

 

/news/releases/2007/02/images/20070226-6_d-0375-1-515h.html Today I am proud to bestow this medal on a daring pilot, a devoted soldier and a selfless leader, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall. I welcome Bruce and his wife, Arlene, back to the White House. I congratulate you on 50 years of marriage. She must be a patient woman. (Laughter.) I also am glad that their three sons and three of their grandchildren are here. Welcome. I'm especially pleased that some of Bruce's comrades have joined us.

 

As an officer, Bruce always put his men before himself. Today, his men are here for him. And this afternoon, 41 years after his heroic actions in Vietnam, America recognizes Bruce Crandall with our highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.

 

I appreciate Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates, joining us today. Mr. Secretary, you're always welcome here at the White House. I appreciate the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson, welcome. I appreciate members of the United States Congress who have joined us, starting with the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Ted Stevens, the Senator from Alaska. Congressman Norm Dicks, who happens to be the U.S. Congressman from Colonel Crandall's district. Congressman, welcome. Congressman Jim Marshall, Congressman Patrick Murphy, we are glad you're here. Thank you for coming.

 

I appreciate very much Dr. Fran Harvey, Secretary of the Army; General Pete Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs; General Pete Schoomaker, Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

 

I thank all the other members of the military who joined us. I particularly want to say thanks and welcome to the Medal of Honor recipients who are with us today: Harvey "Barney" Barnum, Bob Foley, Jack Jacobs, Joe Marm, Bob Patterson, Al Rascon, Gordon Roberts and Brian Thacker. Welcome.

 

I appreciate the family, friends and comrades of Bruce Crandall. David Hicks, thank you for your blessings.

 

The journey that brought Bruce Crandall to this day began 74 years ago in Olympia, Washington. Growing up, Bruce was a gifted athlete and a bit of a handful. (Laughter.) A teacher once observed that he had "a unique ability to get into trouble and out of trouble without any trouble at all." (Laughter.) At Olympia High School, Bruce was named an All American in baseball. He batted .612 for the league champs -- I think we better check the scorecards. (Laughter.) His dream was to be drafted by the New York Yankees. Instead he got drafted by the U.S. Army. (Laughter.)

 

/news/releases/2007/02/images/20070226-6_p022607pm-0044-643v.html He was commissioned as an officer, trained as an aviator. His early career took him on mapping missions over Alaska, and North Africa, and Latin America. In 1963, he reported to Fort Benning to help lead a new unit that would become known as the air cavalry. Two years later, he arrived in Vietnam as a major, and as a commanding officer in the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion.

 

As a leader, Major Crandall earned the respect of his men with his honesty and his humor. He earned their admiration with his remarkable control over a Huey. His radio call sign was "Ancient Serpent 6," which his men shortened to "Old Snake." (Laughter.) Or sometimes, they used a more colorful nickname -- (laughter) -- which we better not pronounce. (Laughter.)

 

On the morning of November 14, 1965, Major Crandall's unit was transporting a battalion of soldiers to a remote spot in the la Drang Valley, to a landing zone called X-Ray. After several routine lifts into the area, the men on the ground came under a massive attack from the North Vietnamese army. On Major Crandall's next flight, three soldiers on his helicopter were killed, three more were wounded. But instead of lifting off to safety, Major Crandall kept his chopper on the ground -- in the direct line of enemy fire -- so that four wounded soldiers could be loaded aboard.

 

Major Crandall flew the men back to base, where the injuries could be treated. At that point, he had fulfilled his mission. But he knew that soldiers on the ground were outnumbered and low on ammunition. So Major Crandall decided to fly back into X-Ray. He asked for a volunteer to join him. Captain Ed Freeman stepped forward. In their unarmed choppers, they flew through a cloud of smoke and a wave of bullets. They delivered desperately needed supplies. They carried out more of the wounded, even though medical evacuation was really not their mission.

 

If Major Crandall had stopped here he would have been a hero. But he didn't stop. He flew back into X-Ray again and again. Fourteen times he flew into what they called the Valley of Death. He made those flights knowing that he faced what was later described as an "almost unbelievably extreme risk to his life." Over the course of the day, Major Crandall had to fly three different choppers. Two were damaged so badly they could not stay in the air. Yet he kept flying until every wounded man had been evacuated and every need of the battalion had been met.

 

/news/releases/2007/02/images/20070226-6_d-0414-3-561v.html When they touched down on their last flight, Major Crandall and Captain Freeman had spent more than 14 hours in the air. They had evacuated some 70 wounded men. They had provided a lifeline that allowed the battalion to survive the day.

 

To the men of la Drang, the image of Major Crandall's helicopter coming to their rescue is one they will never forget. One officer who witnessed the battle wrote, "Major Crandall's actions were without question the most valorous I've observed of any helicopter pilot in Vietnam." The battalion commander said, "Without Crandall, this battalion would almost have surely been overrun." Another officer said, "I will always be in awe of Major Bruce Crandall."

 

For his part, Bruce has never seen it that way. Here's what he said: "There was never a consideration that we would not go into those landing zones. They were my people down there, and they trusted in me to come and get them."

 

As the years have passed, Bruce Crandall's character and leadership have only grown clearer. He went on to make more rescue flights in Vietnam. He served a second tour, and he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel. As a private citizen, he's continued to serve. He's worked in local government, and he speaks to students all across our country. One of his favorite stops is Midland, Texas. (Laughter.) It happens [to be] where Laura and I grew up. In fact, he's been to Midland so many times they gave him the key of the city. It's not exactly the Medal of Honor. (Laughter.) It's not a bad thing to have. (Laughter.) Maybe one day I'll get a key to the city. (Laughter.)

 

A few years ago, Bruce learned he was being considered for our nation's highest military distinction. When he found out that Captain Freeman had also been nominated, Bruce insisted that his own name be withdrawn. If only one of them were to receive the Medal of Honor, he wanted it to be his wingman. So when I presented the Medal to Captain Freeman in 2001, Bruce was here in the White House. Captain Freeman wished he were here today, but he got snowed in, in Iowa. His spirit is with us. Today the story comes to its rightful conclusion: Bruce Crandall receives the honor he always deserved.

 

In men like Bruce Crandall, we really see the best of America. He and his fellow soldiers were brave, brave folks. They were as noble and selfless as any who have ever worn our nation's uniform. And on this day of pride, we remember their comrades who gave their lives and those who are still missing. We remember the terrible telegrams that arrived at Fort Benning, the families devastated, the children who traced their father's name on panel three-east of the Vietnam Memorial wall.

 

 

/news/releases/2007/02/images/20070226-6_d-0422-515h.html Our sadness has not diminished with time. Yet we're also comforted by the knowledge that the suffering and grief could have been far worse. One of the reasons it was not is because of the man we honor today. For the soldiers rescued, for the men who came home, for the children they had and the lives they made, America is in debt to Bruce Crandall. It's a debt our nation can never really fully repay, but today we recognize it as best as we're able, and we bestow upon this good and gallant man the Medal of Honor.

 

Commander, please read the citation.

 

(The citation is read and the medal is presented.) (Applause.)

 

END 2:44 P.M. EST

[Jim Martin]

Just saw an excerpt from his acceptance speech: "It's not just an honor, it's a responsibility, so I have to behave myself from now on..."

[George Newbill]

Look GW I'm going to have to disagree with you on this holding a medal does not mean that you deserve one nor does the lack of a medal mean that you do not. Therefore saying that anyone should not ingage in debate nor question a medal holder is BS. I went to a New Years Eve formal and had to justify each and every medal on my cheast to the people there and the is nothing wrong with that. I have so many medals that I look like a Hero of the Soviet Union Does it mean anything? No. The medals that I earned the hard way, I never got. Medals are, for that reason, meaningless. Here in the USA the right to speak is unlimited. Keep these things in mind.