FRAUDULENT AWARDS

The inaccuracies contained therein are not simple oversights or miscommunications. They are outright lies. It is very difficult to fathom the rationale behind twisting such a tragic event into personal or career gain. A Bronze Star for service throughout all of Desert Storm, or even a Soldier's Medal for risking one's life to save another would perhaps be appropriate. However, it is a travesty to cite heroism and valor under enemy fire during what was actually a botched operation in which Americans killed each other ... with no enemy present whatsoever. Were these awards payment for silence, or perhaps an attempt to align witnesses towards a certain point of view? Whatever the motives, they do not appear to be honorable

The Bronze Star is divided into two categories: valor and achievement. The award for valor has a small "V" device on the ribbon and medal. It is much more coveted and rare than its counterpart for simple achievement. Of the over 100 Bronze Stars awarded to troopers in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, only a handful were for valor. Three of those are listed below.

In all fairness, it is possible that the recipients never knew that the awards they received were related to the airfield incident. The narratives for such awards are viewed only by the individuals submitting the awards (Daly and Starr in this case) and the approving officer (Major General Edison Sholes, Deputy Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps). During a subsequent investigation, two recipients stated that they did not know the award was for actions during the fratricide incident.

The liaison officer thought that valor was defined as placing one's life in danger, as he did when he dismounted LTC Daly's vehicle in the vicinity of an exploding vehicle. In reality, the valor criteria can only be met during actions against an armed enemy. The officers submitting these awards however, knew of the fraudulent wording contained in the narratives and the impact it would have upon deciding whether the awards were approved. Colonel Starr, in particular, was a Vietnam War veteran with first hand knowledge of the criteria for valor awards. Apparently, glory was valued much more highly than truth, integrity or honor. Everyone was in a headlong rush to receive a career enhancing bauble.

Indeed this seemed to be the case in the regiment throughout the war. Each command and staff meeting was opened with shouts of "When are we gonna get to kill someone?!?" Field grade officers rushed forward to receive Purple Hearts for banging their heads on the insides of their combat vehicles when the drivers applied the brakes a bit too vigorously. There were mad dashes for any type of recognizable objective, such as a bypassed airfield straddling the corps boundary. Everybody wanted to be out in front. Everybody wanted a piece of the action. Everybody wanted to get in some shots. Everybody wanted their precious path to promotion. The days immediately following the cease fire were filled with reams of award paperwork crossing the Iraqi desert to ensure everybody receive their slice of the pie. Unfortunately, Lance Fielder's piece was stolen from him.

Ironically, the soldiers from 3rd Platoon, I Troop who displayed real valor, in a real fire fight, with a real Iraqi enemy on January 22, 1991 had their recommendations for Bronze Stars with "V" device either downgraded or rejected outright. Incongruously, Colonel Starr received a Bronze Star with "V" device for this very same action. Although highly deserving and meeting all the criteria, Staff Sergeant Baez, Staff Sergeant Ruch, Private First Class O'Con and several others never received the Bronze Star medals for which they were recommended. When I resubmitted these awards to the new 3rd ACR commander, Colonel Robert Ivany, in late 1991, he responded with a form letter stating that the regiment had already used up its allotment of awards for valor ... three of which were these fraudulent ones. Colonel Ivany's refusal to get involved paid great dividends for him. He recently finished a successful tour of duty as Commanding General of the Military District of Washington D.C. Currently a Major General, he stands an excellent chance of advancing to the rank of full General.

Both Colonel Starr's and Lieutenant Colonel Daly's awards were revoked immediately after the Senate hearing in 1995. It is my understanding that the three fraudulent awards questioned here were downgraded to Bronze Stars without "V" devices.

TEXT OF AWARD CITATIONS

The Regimental Surgeon

Following the fratricide incident, the 3rd ACR surgeon, who assisted the wounded Sergeant Napier, was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" Device. According to the support for his award, the surgeon was recognized for "bravery and valor" when he was asked to "perform an emergency medevac mission" while the regiment was "still in contact" and "clearing the sector of enemy." The mission was conducted during the "early morning hours" when there was "little or no available ambient light due to marginal weather conditions." He and his crew were able to "successfully locate and extract the wounded." The surgeon's actions were in the "best tradition of the service." When the award was presented, the surgeon was cited for "heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy."

The Liaison Officer

The second individual was an 82nd Airborne Liaison Officer, a captain, attached to Lt. Colonel Daly's Bradley during the fratricide incident. He, along with another soldier, dismounted from the Bradley during the incident. According to the support for his award, the Liaison Officer was cited for "exceptionally meritorious heroism in the face of hostile fire" during a regimental attack to seize "Qalib Al Luhays Airfield." He distinguished himself by "volunteering to dismount and take 'enemy' personnel prisoner." Rushing forward of friendly vehicles, he was responsible for "defusing the situation, restoring order and saving the lives of at least four American soldiers." When the award was presented, the Liaison Officer was cited for "heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy."