Pvt. Monica Brown And The Silver Star

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

(CBS)  Private Monica Brown is only the second woman to be awarded the Silver Star since World War II. She's an Army medic who risked her own life to save two critically wounded paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan.

Under Army regulations, women cannot be assigned to frontline combat units. But, as correspondent Lara Logan reports, in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq today, that's exactly where they often end up.

Some male soldiers aren't so happy about that, including members of Pvt. Brown's own unit. But her superior officers say she is a hero - a hero who earned one of the military's highest awards for exceptional valor when she was only 18 years old.

---

Winning the Silver Star is a big deal for anybody, but considering Brown's age, it's an even bigger deal. "It's overwhelming," she tells Logan.

"I mean you've been treated like a superstar, really. And you're just a kid," Logan remarks.

"Yeah. I am just a child," she acknowledges.

It all started on April 25, 2007. Brown was temporarily attached to a paratrooper unit in Paktika Province, a hostile and remote area. The unit was headed back to base after searching for weapons in a village. None of them had any idea they were driving straight into a massive ambush until a roadside bomb exploded under the last Humvee and hidden enemy fighters unleashed mortars and machine guns on the convoy.

Brown had just four months of medic training at the time, and it was her first firefight. "They stopped the convoy. And my platoon sergeant got out of the truck and said, 'Doc, let's go,'" she remembers.

Brown was the only medic at the scene.

"There was a ball of fire that went into the truck and burned all five crew members. The gunner was actually almost blown out of the turret," remembers Michael Greene, who was Brown's sergeant major with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Asked what Brown did and what was so remarkable about her actions, Sgt. Maj. Greene tells Logan, "She grabbed her aid bag, got out of the truck and made her way back to the vehicle. And through small arms fire, intense small arms fire and mortar fire."

"As I'm runnin' I see guys rollin' in the dirt tryin' [to] put their uniforms out 'cause they're burnin'," remembers Sergeant Jose Santos, who was running with Brown towards the casualties through a hail of enemy bullets and mortar fire.

Sergeant Aaron Best, a gunner in the lead Humvee, was firing back at the enemy, while Specialist Jack Bodani, only lightly wounded, managed to crawl out of the burning Humvee.

"Thought I lost my entire crew; at that point in time I didn't see anybody," Spc. Bodani remembers.

Bodani knew that his best friend, Specialist Stanson Smith, was still trapped inside the burning vehicle that was packed with high explosive ammunition. "Couldn't get him out 'cause he was tryin' to crawl in the flames. And he's disoriented and got adrenaline pumpin'," Bodani remembers.

"And he's been hit at this point, right? His head is hit quite badly?" Logan asks.

"Blood all over his face and burned skin, and his lips were messed up," Bodani says.

"The truck is carryin' the MK19, which has 40 millimeter grenades. So you're talkin' about a thousand grenades inside that truck," Sgt. Santos explains.

Santos says they all started going off.

"It sounded like firecrackers, at first," Brown remembers. "And then, it was pretty heavy after that. 'Cause you could hear all the 50 cals (calibers) going off and stuff like that."

As the firefight raged on, Brown focused on the two most seriously wounded men - Specialists Larry Spray and Smith.

"I see Smith, he's laying there, you know, he's rockin' back and forth. And I'm, like, lookin'. Like, 'Oh crap.' You know, 'He's dead.' Spray, his hands are all burned up. And his face is burned up," Sgt. Best remembers.

"And in all of this, I mean, you were never scared? Not even for a moment?" Logan asks Brown.

"I wasn't scared for my life. I was scared because I was afraid I wasn't gonna be competent and able to do my job. Because I knew the people that were hurt," Brown says.

Asked if she was afraid of failing, Brown says, "Yeah."

[lostdetroit]

I think they all deserve a medal. With her background she should get 2

[candiebeck]

This story is remarkable. For Spec. Brown to wish to take the entire day back because others have questioned whether she earned the award or not is disgraceful on the part of those she saved. Their lives were spared because of her bravery and they do not even have the decency to thank her? They should be lucky she thought their lives were worth saving because at this point I don''t know if I would have done the same.

[lindly-2009]

The blonde interviewer was difficult to understand. Between her trying to speak in whispers and her accent, I had to strain to follow her comments. If she wants millions of listeners to hear what she has to say, perhaps she would stop trying to sound so feminine, and just try to sound professional. thanks

[planejames]

This story by Lara Logan demonstrates some of the worst reporting I have seen in recent years. Contrary to what I and others have come to expect from 60 Minutes, Lara%u2019s %u201CDrama Queen%u201D interview was the furthest from objective. The way she used her voice in a seemingly sympathetic manner came across so phony that it detracted from the content of the story. Please tell me that she is not part of the longer term plan for 60 Minutes.

James

[dragon7380]

The problem with Woman such as Pvt Brown serving on the Front Line is not Pvt Brown serving on the Front Line. It is the Female Politicians who force this issue on the Military, and then expect the Military to make up time by promoting Women faster. Woman should be allowed to do everything a Man does. Equal pay should equal work, but for the equal pay you need to do the equal work. As a former Air Force Sergeant I can tell you the best people I have ever met in the Military were Female. They did their job, they did it better then the Men, but got less recognization or promotions. Don''t give either men or women a leg up, treat them equally.

[olag2001]

I have nothing against Pvt.Brown for what she did. I do have a problem w/her commanding officer giving her a medal for doing her job. This was motivated by a political correct colonel who wants to become a general someday. If she was a man, she would not have received this honor.

[danimalhanke]

It''s nice to know that our Army can train young men and women to act as this soldier did, but she simply did what every other young medic is trained to do! No more no less. Courage and bravery yes, Silver Star no! My son was a medic and had no more experience and he managed to stop the bleeding and clear the airway of a yound soldier with a severe gunshot wound to the head. He didn''t hesitate, he did what he was trained to do and no one suggested he get a medal. The age of political correctness has gone way overboard. If anything this medal represents all the feminists dislike about society and that''s awarding prefferential treatment because she was a woman. Thousands of times young medics and corpsmen do exactly what this soldier did and their Co''s would never think of giving them a medal much less the Silver Star. Great she did her job as she was trained to do, but the awarding her or any other medic/corpsman the Silver Star belittles the ones awarded for true bravery. My credentials? 4 years in the USMC and 4 in the Army as an infantry soldier.

[kirkcath]

Pvt. Brown Your country is proud of you! I am a military veteran and I am very dissappointed in your fellow soldiers not to be supportive of you - regardless of your ***. Though I must say it has not changed in 20+ years.. Which too is very sad.

Walk tall yong lady and be proud.

[harleybiker8]

all women in the military are hipacrits.claiming there equil to men.when they dont have to meet the same physical standards as men do.but still get payed the same.i was in the military,and it wasnt fare that a woman was gettn payed the same as for doing less.she got that metal becouse she was a woman.through many wars men have done more heroic feat''s than what she did and got nothing.no women in combat,means no women in combat.if she felt she was just doing her job.then she couldve turned down the metal.

[Will7312]

Pvt Monica Brown may be an ordinary person that did an extraordinary act at a time when her training was challenged. I''m sure that Smith & Sprague would have given 60 minutes an interview had she deserted her post or did nothing to contribute to saving their lives. Both of them should be ashamed. Regardless of her age, according to the qualification of earning the Silver Star, she earned it and all of America should be proud of her.

[ptm4936]

Lara Logan needs to remember the interviewer asks questions. Answering your own questions is really bad form.

[ktg05]

I am a bothered by the fact that Specialist Stanson Smith couldn''t give a good comment to 60 Minutes about the women who saved his life. Who cares if the rules say that women aren''t allowed on the front line. Pvt Brown was there that day and she helped save the life of 2 men. They should atleast be greatful for that. And if they are they could have atleast gave a comment to 60 Minutes stating that. I am very proud of ALL of our soliders regardless if they are on the front line or behind a desk. Each of them make up a whole military system that gives us our freedom everyday. It doesn''t matter if they are man or woman. They are all just doing there jobs. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[mexicano1012]

I saw this story today and I have to say that I am very proud for this soldier. She is 100% correct, we don''t ask for medals, we don''t ask for recognition, we just go out there and do our job. Woman are capable of doing the same job than any other men. I get ask many times, why woman are treated differently in regard to woman in battle fields, but what do we consider a BATTLEFIELD? Great job SPC Brown and for all of you haters, like the ones that you saved their life, grow up. You are alive because of this soldier performance.

[danimalhanke]

There are some really clueless people in the world. You give the Silver star to guys like the MasterSgt who under a withering fire stood up throwing grenades in to a trench with 15 enemy soldiers and then entered the trench firing his weapon until it was inoperable due to enemy fire at which time he had to clearness of thought to grab a disgarded enemy weapon and continued to ravage the enemy who where now within an arms length. He continued this until all of the enemy were either killed, wounded or had fled. He did this to save his men whom had been ambushed. Sinlge handedly he saved the lives of more than 20 young soldiers all the while exposing himself to enemy fire. He was wounded many times in this action. A MasterSgt BTW is an old man to most of his troops because he has typically spend 15 to 20 years in before he reaches that rank. Compare the actions of a 40''s someting charging into harm''s way to the actions of this medic and the smarts ones out there will understand why it''s wrong to award the Silver Star to a medic for doing her job!

[vviff]

I was shocked to hear that the soldiers that were wounded refused to be interviewed and that they did not feel that women should be on the front lines. After getting over the surprise, I felt that they were right. I wonder too if they believe now that any 18 year old should be on the front lines, whether male or female? I would be delighted if only the post 40 birthay celebrants were allowed to choose to fight for this country. If it was needed, I would be right there!!! Keep the 18 year olds in school.

[meiserwt]

First CBS you do not win a medal like the Silver Star it is not a contest, you are awarded it. As a MSgt in the Pa Air Guard, a combat veteran with two tours & ready for my next tour find it outrageous that her commrades that she saved would even consider her non deserving of this medal. Here is the regulation which she meet and was approved by her command

578.12 Silver Star.
(a) Criteria. The Silver Star was established
by Act of Congress July 9,
1918. It 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 an armed conflict against an
opposing armed force in which the
United States is not a belligerent
party. The required gallantry, while of
lesser degree than that required for the
Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless
have been performed with
marked distinction. It is also awarded
upon letter application to Commander,

Yes beacuse she was a women should that weigh upon the decision & she was only 18 yes.

Spc Brown I salute you and you deserve it and let no one feel that you do not!

MSgt Bill XXXXXX

[norwalkdad]

candiebeck. its tv. you need to ask yourself what she said after that last line of the news package. meaning..."i wish i could take that day back..so none of my buddies had never been put in the awkward psotion because of this report." she is brave, she deserves the citation, and laura logan needs to go back to school...or just go to H&%L. what''s the point of the story? it seemed to be all over the place. logan talks about her childhood, which i believe had no part of the story, only to elude and feed into the perception that only dumb kids from broken homes go into the army. and the line about when there was doubt during the mission from her unit when all hell was breaking loose..logan says she fell back on her instincts. seemed more to me that she fell back on her training you stupid idiot! when in the heck are we ever going to see a story that just flat out praises and appreciates the work that these men AND women do? logan makes me want to vomit. brown...if you feel you were taken for a ride...i don''t blame you. you did a great job that day. by watching the story, i know you wish no ill will on your comrades. but it would seem laura logan does.

[sgtsue1]

CBS you missed the mark on two big points. First, no military award is "won" it is awarded! Second, while Monica Brown may have been a Private (probably Private First Class)when the incident took place, she was wearing Specialist stripes through the whole piece. Missing things like that makes me question the interviewer on all points.

[hootie1993]

Overall a good report. It''s nice to see reporters showing more of what our armed forces are doing over there. One thing I would like to mention is when you are referring to someone receiving a medal it is inappropriate to say the "won" the medal. War should not be compared to a race or the Olympics. These people "earned" the medal and "received" it for actions above and beyond the call of duty. When you say they won it you are demeaning the medal and what it represents. Please pass this on to all the reporters and writers to ensure they are giving the due respect to these people and the medals they have earned. Thank you for your time.

[vviff]

I was shocked to hear that the soldiers that were wounded refused to be interviewed and that they did not feel that women should be on the front lines. After getting over the surprise, I felt that they were right. I wonder too if they believe now that any 18 year old should be on the front lines, whether male or female? I would be delighted if only the post 40 birthay celebrants were allowed to choose to fight for this country. If it was needed, I would be right there!!! Keep the 18 year olds in school.

[jdmanna]

This is a wonderful story. Pvt Monica Brown has made a selfless decision to be in Army. To serve her country! Way to go. It should not matter is she is a man or women. My son is a Unites States Marine and he thinks women train just the same a men. They deserve to be treated just the same. Shame on those soldiers that would not stand up to say thank you! My words to Pvt Monica Brown a simple, "Thank You"!

[norwalkdad]

well said sgtsue. lets not forget what brown said AFTER she said "there are no front lines in afghanistan." something to the fact that "we get attacked when we''re providing humanitarian, aid, building roads, building schools." hey logan and cbs...there''s acouple good story ideas there in that one quote!

[infantrydad]

Every day our combat soldiers and Marines put their lives on the line, and when given an award they all say the same thing, "I was just doing my job". This is why we need to say thank you to every soldier we encounter. They are "just doing their job". Without them just doing their job we would be in a wold of hurt.

[clathrate]

What is with all the hate on here? Damnit people, can''t you just be happy for the woman?

Sure, we can all find "better" examples of Silver Star stories...but what the hell is the point? This woman did something quite valiant, and while it was "only her job", she did it well despite very harrowing circumstances.

Just be glad she''s on OUR side and quit your *******'' about it!

[evian_ycnan]

And yet, the real question is "Why is it she is more likely to be raped or molested by her `brothers` in arms than to be injured or killed by the enemy?"

[norwalkdad]

and i forgot. if stories about making lives better and promoting and defending freedom, liberty, and individual rights aren''t ''***'' stories. then obviously the fact that all that road building and public infastructure work in Iraq that has created a ominous sense of peace (compared to past laura logan and cbs report) and growing prosperity would absolutley suck as a news story.

maybe this is something cbs could "research"

[norwalkdad]

clathrate...frustration isn''t with browns service. shes the best in my book..as are all the rest. i just hate seeing the girl manipulated by a slug like laura logan. any vets out there....WE LOVE YOU! i went to sign up years ago. 80''s. got disqualified on my physical. hurts still because i love my country. and i absolutely hate it when such pieces are done by the media.

[amjoe-2009]

What is a female doing attached to a paratroop unit? There are brave women just as there are brave men, but women''s lack of body strength prevents them from doing things that other troops, including medics, are sometimes called upon to do. In this case, the woman medic did well. The next time, it may not work out so well. Military staffing is no place for EEO baloney.

[zim77]

The outfit of Ms. Logan was shockingly inappropriate. There we have a pretty young woman with careful makeup and newly set hairdo, interviewing soldiers, men and women who serve their country and are not there to display themselves, wearing the uniforms which remind us of these facts. The contrast is startling and not to her advantage. How did she imagine she would get any contact with the people she is interviewing, and get valid responses to her questions?. I won''t even start to comment on her questions, others have already done so. What would have been interesting is to hear what Private Brown plans to do with her life.

[phxbarbie]

Good job Monica!!!

At 18-yrs old you%u2019re brave enough to enlist, leave home, go to another country, and save a few lives along the way. As far as I''m concerned that is impressive for any 18-yr old, male or female.

Don''t hate her because she''s not a texting teenage brat, who sleeps til noon in her pink bedroom, is obsessed with designer clothes, and barely passed her drivers test. In a time when all I hear is news coverage of Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers and Paris Hilton it''s refreshing to hear something positive about anyone.

She''s famous now for all the right reasons, not for a DUI, going to rehab or flashing her private parts to the paparazzi.You can''t change the facts. She''s very young, very brave, and she contributed to saving the lives of several people. Period. Not acknowledging that doesn''t mean it didn''t happen. I suspect that many people would have peed their pants under similar circumstances.

For all of you out there with criticisms, what were you doing at 18- yrs old?

[inventagod2]

Hard to find a bright spot in the RepubliCon Oilwar, thanks for the story.
Beats that stupid Pentagoon fake-o ''rescue'' fantasy about Jessica Lynch...

[jake11231]

Typical CBS military coverage!! They couldn''t leave it as a story about heroism, they had to trash the wounded soldiers. PVT Brown did her duty and hats off to her and those who recognized her actions. However, CBS has no class what so ever. Specialist Smith is a wounded veteran who is serving our country and CBS trashed him. There was no reason to report his opinion except to trash one of our soldiers. What if specialist Smith has a Mother and several sisters he hopes never have to go to war. Maybe he thinks putting women on the front line is immoral. In a country that wants everyone to have their rights to do what ever they want, when ever they want it, why can''t Specialist Smith have his opinion. The report of his opinion only shed a negative light on one of our boy''s. Low class brodcasting leads to low viewer ship. What a bunch of loosers.

[redheartwoma]

To say that she "won" the silver star is asinine. No military personnel "wins" awards. They are earned. Ask any Veteran who has ever earned a medal or award, they will tell you that it was nothing more than their duty. No more. No less. Looks like the media didn''t do their homework on this headline.
As long as a woman can do her job and pull her weight, then no one has the right to criticize unless they walk a mile in her mocassins and can do the same things that she does. Maybe is isn''t a bad idea if we does as Israel does. Each person upon graduating high school must serve at least 2 yrs. in the military. By requiring that of our young people, maybe, we''ll have folks that grow up to be more than a "you owe it to me" or "I have to have that" generation.

[strengthx10]

Great story about yet another American heroe. OlAg2001, before commenting, please do your homework. Monica Brown is a true heroe. The comment discredits a great soldier who deserved the award she received. If you understood the process, you would know that the NCOs, who have absolutely no political motivation, submit the awards, and then the Col. signs the citation. Most heroes are as modest as Brown. If you don''t know any veterans, travel through the Museum of American History and listen to the story of Vietnam medic Lawrence Joel, who tearfully and humbly states he was just doing his job. He initially received the silver star, later the medal of honor for his heroic acts. Men and women who are willing to make these sacrifices are the reasons why we have the freedom to write a comment on a news story and why we have a country to begin with. To say that because the recipient is a female, the reward is an act of political motivation is incredibly disheartening. Thus far, there are an estimated 398 silver star recipients in the current war on terror. So in your opinion, because this is a woman, she should not receive the silver star because a man would not have received an award for an equal act of heroism and selflessness . Very unfair.

[girl_soldier]

To Harleybiker8: First off, please learn to spell correctly. The only physical requirements that are not the same for men and women is the PT test. I was a Military Police Officer and did the exact same job as the male Military Police Officers I worked with. She got the award because she deserved it. There have been a plethora of male soldiers that have received the same award for similar heroic acts. Research it Harleybiker. All of the awards were given to soldiers "just doing their jobs." Why didn''t they refuse the award. Women have been in combat for several years. They just don''t get the recognition. So get over it. Soldiers like you give the military a bad name. Were you honorably discharged? Because I was, and I am proud to have been a SOLDIER! Not because I am a female, but because I served in the United States Army.

[jsebenoler]

Wonderful story about a true soldier. I can''t say the same for those two punks she saved, though. Ungrateful S.O.B.''s...so they thought that we were all making too much about nothing? Next time, let the punks burn!

[girl_soldier]

To AMJoe: If you have not served in the military in some way, shut up. As far as women with upper body strength, you are correct. Generally men have more upper body strength. But there is such a thing as a women being stronger than a man. It should have nothing to do with gender, but being able to do the job. I personally am stronger than some of my male coworkers. So am I not allowed to do the same job as them because I don''t have a ***. You appear to be a sexist pig. You do not even call her by her name or rank. You refer to her as "the woman medic." The training for a job in the military is the same for men and women. You should not comment on something you know nothing about.

[babooph]

LBJ got one for not going on a mission -they must be gimmies.

[strengthx10]

And..what a great story that gave my daughter a real heroe to look up to. She looked at me after watching the news story and told me she wanted to be like Monica Brown. You go soldier_girl!! You, like the other soldiers protecting our way of life, both men and women, are the examples, the heroes, that we want for our children. Thank you for your service.

[palirider]

I don''t understand how Lara Logan can be given any airtime at all, given her incompetent handling of this story. Her "interviewing" was inane, she did no digging into the circumstances of the incident that led to Pvt. Brown being awarded the Silver Star; she did not question the motivations of Pvt. Smith''s obviously sexist superiors; and here style is grating at best. Lets hope that CBS finds their senses and dismisses her before she can do any more damage to CBS News'' stressed reputation.

[Terry_Oliver]

Sorry - but I flared at "at your age." It''s not about age; it''s about bravery and valor in circumstance. Monica Brown exhibited extraordinary valor in the circumstances she found herself in. Good on her (and good on the guys she saved).

[Terry_Oliver]

Sorry - but I flared at "at your age." It''s not about age; it''s about bravery and valor in circumstance. Monica Brown exhibited extraordinary valor in the circumstances she found herself in. Good on her (and good on the guys she saved).

[girl_soldier]

danimalhanke: The soldiers that were saved are ungrateful. They do not even have the balls to say thank you to someone that risked her life to save theirs. I don''t think it is a matter of them being SOB''s, but them being so sexist, they can''t even be grateful to a soldier because she has an *** and not a ***.

[Terry_Oliver]

Sorry - but I flared at "at your age." It''s not about age; it''s about bravery and valor in circumstance. Monica Brown exhibited extraordinary valor in the circumstances she found herself in. Good on her (and good on the guys she saved).

It always amazes me how some people are born into this life with every advantage known to man and still turn out to be scum of the earth.
And others are born into this life with virtually NOTHING going for them, and still turn out squared away.
I''m very proud of this young lady! I don''t think she did anything that wasn''t fully expected of any other medic, male or female, and I think she recieved the medal primarily because the same old military PR reasons - but I''m still very proud of her. I don''t begrudge her the medal at all. I wish her well in this lifetime....!

[samson0071]

I served 2.5 years in Iraq and would have been damned proud to have a soldier of this caliber at my side. She is modest but she shows exactly what a good soldier should be. In times of trouble, she acted exactly as I would expect anyone in my command to act. Female or male makes no difference to me as long as it gets the job done. This woman puts her boots on every morning the same as everyone else in our military does and I believe she deserves credit where credit is due. The two lives she saved should be thankful she was there, not that she is female. If it would have been a male that protected them, would they have spoken to you? God''s Blessings to her, Her family, and EVERYONE serving our country overseas as well as around the world.

[ceglinton]

It''s sad that Specialist Stanson Smith can''t even be grateful to Private Monica Brown for saving his life. Whether she acted more heroically than any other soldier that day doesn''t take away from the fact that she saved his life. His sack is definitely small and withered.

[cfowkes]

Did Lara Logan actually say, "Win" a Silver Star?! This is completely egregious for a news show of 60 Minutes'' caliber, to let this "get-by." The reporter and the producer need to be sent back to do their internship over again.

[cfowkes]

Did Lara Logan actually say, "Win" a Silver Star?! This is completely egregious for a news show of 60 Minutes'' caliber, to let this "get-by." The reporter and the producer need to be sent back to do their internship over again.

[mezzalla]

Typical Army B.S. jealousy from her fellow soldiers. My uncle, CWO3 Tom King, wrote a chapter in the Headhunters book about the 9th Cav in Vietnam. In one paragraph he describes how in 1966 Specialist 4 Orville McGhee was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying a D-4 helicopter after the pilot was killed, copilot shot up badly and the hydraulics shot out. It had to be flown by brute force and that is what this SP4 did. CWO3 King was at his awards ceremony in Fort Eustis and overheard some Colonel complaining to a buddy about why is the army awarding the DFC to a SP4. My uncle wrote "I told that colonel why he was receiving it and that I felt it was justified. I neither know, nor care, whether the man appreciated my information".

Typical confidence and no-BS from our family whose ancestors have been here since 1630 and first fought in King Philip''s War in New England, 1675-1676. Perhaps these two soldiers who are alive because of a woman can show the same confidence or some type of American traits in thanking her.