Comments on: Pvt. Monica Brown And The Silver Star

Lara Logan Interviews A Young Woman Who Was Awarded A Silver Star For Exceptional Valor

[jsmit576]

Also, if you have never been to combat then please shut the hell up, join the military, go to Iraq/Afghanistan, whatever conflict their may be at the time and then write me back with an educated response. Again, let her have the award, but please stop writing about how my brother is such a bad person; him and his buddy were the ones who were burnt alive "doing their job" and maybe you would like to know that he returned to Afghanistan months later, because he was just serving his country.

Very Respectfully,

SSG Smith, J.

THESE THREE COMMENTS ARE ALL FROM MYSELF; I HAD TO WRITE THEM SEPARATELY BECAUSE OF THE WORD LIMIT. PLEASE READ IN ORDER

[jsmit576]

My family has more service to country than most, to include my father who was in the Navy during Vietnam, my two brothers, my uncles (one Army, one marines during Vietnam), my three cousins(Marines), my grandpa who served in the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II, My grandma who served as an Army nurse during World War II and my great grandpa who served in the Army during World War I. When it comes to what my brother "supposedly" said about women in combat, he has that right. Our family has a proud tradition of service to the United States of America, how many of you can say that. Let her have her award. If she was true hero then she would have mentioned the fact that another man risked his life every day for his soldiers and in a time of terror realized his men were burning alive and went to their rescue, pulled them out of the humvee, while destroying his hands and made sure that they received the care they needed. He was on the Medevac that took my brother and his friend out of harms way. He stayed by their side the entire time they were in the hospital until I escorted my brother and his friend out of country en route to Germany. I came back two days later because my brother was flown to the U.S. and SGT T. was already back in action. What did he receive for dieing while protecting his soldiers, a bronze star, something my platoon sergeant received for sitting on a FOB the entire deployment. Please know what you are talking about when responding to these stories.

[jsmit576]

To all who have written and mainly to those who criticize my brother SGT Stanson Smith. First of all, before you decide to write something with ignorance you might want to find out the whole story. Maybe you would like to know about SGT T. who when getting out of the humvee and trying to get away from the burning vehicle, realized his soldiers, my brother and his buddy, were still in the humvee, went back and pulled them out of the humvee as best as he could. Remember that the medic happened upon them laying on the ground. HOW DID THEY GET THERE? They did not get out of the humvee on their own. Why is their no mention of this hero who died months later in another incident where he was protecting his soldiers. I had been in Afghanistan for sixteen months before this incident happened. I received a phone call from an officer telling me that my brother was going to die. I was stationed in a remote location in the north east on the border of Afghanistan/Pakistan. I came down to Bagram, as soon as I was allowed to, where my brother was receiving medical care and met SGT T., who''s hands looked like plastic with one to two inch sized blisters all over. SGT T. simply wanted to go back and take care of his soldiers who were traumatized by what had occurred. When I first arrived in Afghanistan I called home and was told that our cousin, a marine in 3/5 "Dark Horse" had been killed by a suicide bomber in Anbar province, Iraq.

[jtlykins]

As I have commented before, to me, the biggest disgrace with this whole story is that Spc. Stanson Smith came across as so unappreciative of Brown. He has a myspace account and refers to himself as a debaucheristic which really isn''t a word but he was going for debauchery meaning = excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance. Now I''m not so surprised about his comment because he truly is a jerk!

[ahouse2]

Subj: Pvt Monica Brown WON a Silver Star

Being a retired Naval Officer I am very disenchanted with you saying that Pvt Brwon WON s Silver Star. Presidnet-elect Obama won an election, but Pvt Brown did not WIN the Silver. Pvt Brown was AWARDED the Silver for the heroic efforts she made on behalf of herself, her unit and the United States of American. I am appauled that you belittle her efforts and the award by saying that she WON the award as if she had helped to win a football game. I hope that you will learn from you mistakes in order to be better journalists.

[strengthx10]

Criteria as per internet: The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. Soldiers who received a citation for gallantry in action during World War I may apply to have the citation converted to the Silver Star Medal.

[strengthx10]

For the comments by nystrykerdoc & lady_organ:
Are you kidding? Fear, lawsuits, sleeping with someone in order to get a medal? How offensive and degrading can you be? Your comments are completely irrational and sound a lot like jealousy. You may be spending too much time watching drama TV and sitting behind a desk and not enough in the real world.

Mentally healthy, rational and patriotic Americans are happy to have a role model like Monica Brown for their children. She deserves all of the honor that results from going above and beyond the call of duty, exemplifying bravery, under terrifying circumstances. And the soldiers who were saved who didn''t appear on camera are in the process of a long, difficult recovery of near mortal wounds. The story that matters is of a true American hero and the sacrifise and risk soldiers are taking every day. You should be ashamed of your comments. Parents at the bus stop who saw the story were incredibly proud of this young woman who came from a difficult background and rose above adversity to become the next American hero. Thank God we have volunteer soldiers who willingly defend our rights to freedom of speech.

[leguftek]

As a Combat Officer of 2 wars and one who has written and recommended many awards for soldiers, I cannot agree with the award of the Silver Star for the heroic actions of this young female soldier. Without discounting her admirable actions, my 24 years of military experience would have compelled me to award this girl the Bronze Star with "V" device for valor. In the engagement described actions I can find neither the awardable actions of engaging and killing the enemy nor the outcome of becoming wounded herself by protecting a fellow soldier. In the absence of these two actions it is just impossible to award the Silver Star without devaluing previously awarded Silver Stars. Be clear, this is no discredit to nor the problem of the soldier. To blame for this inflated award are the Battalion Commander and CSM. They have let their zealous to reward this soldier cloud their judgement.

[rendere]

I was deeply moved by the segment on Private Monica Brown. Brown''s bravery on the battlefield, her humility in receiving the Silver Star and all the attention that comes with it, is in keeping with the true hero that she is.

[girl_soldier]

lady_organs there are no lawsuits in the army. If you were in the military, you would know that. By the way, are you a male or a female? i cant tell by your log in

[girl_soldier]

nystrykerdoc U R an idiot. Again, there have only been 2 women since WW2 to get this award. so, explain exactly who she slept with to get this award. Just because women have a v****a, doesnt mean we use it. I am proud that you served, but, I personally know women that can carry a 250 pound man without breaking a sweat. P.S. I think army standards dont allow soldiers to weigh that much.

[girl_soldier]

lady_organs Yep. It has been a bed of roses. 17 weeks of boot camp was awesome. I did that with males and females. If it is a bed of roses, why have only 2 women received the silver star since WW2?

[solarrays247-2009]

Only doing her job, huh? Have you ever done that job? When was the last time you were in a combat zone, much less under fire? There is no one there "just doing their jobs."

Posted by oldsoldier57 at 03:31 PM : Dec 01, 2008

The majority of us understand that, Sir! Loud and clear!! Everyone, past and present served/serving in the military is a hero! Once in awhile, we just have to remind a few of the rest of them, Sir!

[soldat44]

God Bless you Private Monica Brown.

[hober_mallow]

I sincere congratulations to Private Monica Brown.

It makes me wonder if I''d be able to perform as well under similar circumstances.

[toolmangler-2009]

It is ''NOT'' a Mediics job to put their life on the line for the wounded, but many, MANY do..
Well done Pvt Brown. I salute you..

[strengthx10]

This one is for "anonbychoice":
I''ll repost this. Do your homework before making such a statement. There have been approximately 398 silver stars awarded in the last several years since the war on terror began and Monica Brown has not been the only medic to be appointed the silver star in this war or any other. This was a story about the second female silver star recipient since WWII. If you want this broken down in logical comprehensible mathematical terms; 1 out of the last 398 to receive the medal was a woman while 14 percent of our active duty army are women. Statistically, 1 out of 7 active duty soldiers are women. Roughly 3/100ths of 1 percent of women in the army have received the silver star in this war on terror. You statement is about male medics not receiving this medal is ridiculous. And Monica is a heroe, as much so as every other man and woman who is willing to put their lives on the line for your freedoms. They all are "just doing their jobs". Their jobs require daily heroics and sacrifices that most are not willing to make; yet many are quick to criticize.

[myrna541]

Bravely does not know the difference between race, *** or faith. Bravo Pvt Monica Brown. As for Specialist Stanson Smith, karma will get you

[oldsoldier57]

Only doing her job, huh? Have you ever done that job? When was the last time you were in a combat zone, much less under fire? There is no one there "just doing their jobs."

[solarrays247-2009]

Asked what she said, Schweitzer says, "Her answer was just plain as day, and looked at me and Sergeant Major like we were crazy to even ask that question. And she said, ''It''s my job.'' And it''s just powerful, powerful."

And this is what it is all about! Spc. Brown said it herself..."It''s my job."

Thank you, Spc. Brown. Thank you, for a job well done!