Crew Of Gunship 'Spooky 41' Are All Awarded Medals For Actions In Afghanistan

Fourteen Air Commandos with the 4th Special Operations Squadron were presented two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 12 Air Medals by Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, at Hurlburt Field, Florida

Daily Mail: Crew of gunship 'Spooky 41' are all awarded medals after raining fire on ISIS militants for NINE hours to allow rescue of 15 wounded soldiers in Afghanistan battle likened to Iwo Jima

* Aircrew of the AC-130U gunship 'Spooky 41' with Hurlburt Field's 4th Special Operations Squadron were honored at the military facility in Fort Walton Beach
* The 14-man crew received two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 12 Air Medals for for providing nine hours of fire support
* Crew helped U.S. and coalition forces during April 2019 mission in Afghanistan
* While allied forces battled ISIS on the ground, the crew of Spooky 41 helped to ensure the safe evacuation by helicopter of 15 injured ground personnel
* DFCs are awarded for 'Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight'

The crew of a U.S. gunship have been awarded bravery medals at a ceremony in Florida after they rained fire down on Islamic State militants for hours, as allied soldiers on the ground were whisked to safety.

Forces on the ground came under heavy fire from ISIS militants in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan on April 3, 2019, in a ferocious fight which one Major on the ground likened to infamous WW2 battle Iwo Jima.

They called for backup from 'Spooky 41' - a AC-13OU gunship, and the Hercules-variant plane arrived within minutes to provide covering fire and ensure medical helicopters could safely evacuate the injured.

The crew were up in the air for nine hours and managed to suppress enemy fire during the evacuation of 15 wounded soldiers.

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WNU Editor: This is the first time I am reading a story on the entire crew aboard a gunship being awarded medals.

A-10 Pilots Awarded For Saving 50 US Troops In ‘Danger Close’ Military Operation In Syria

U.S. Air Force

Task & Purpose: Air Force A-10 Pilots Awarded For Saving 50 US Troops In ‘Danger Close’ Air Strike In Syria

Air Force A-10 Pilots Awarded For Saving 50 US Troops In ‘Danger Close’ Air Strike In Syria

Two U.S. Air Force pilots have been awarded the National Aeronautic Association’s Mackay Trophy for “most meritorious flight” of 2017, in recognition of their providing close air support to more than 50 American and Syrian Democratic Forces troops who were pinned down by enemy fire.

On May 2, 2017, A-10 Thunderbolt pilots Maj. Tyler Schultz and Capt. Samantha Harvey were re-tasked to support the group of Americans and their Syrian partners as they tried to fight off the enemy’s heavy machine guns, mortars, and RPG fire.

“For over five hours, Captain Harvey and Major Schultz overcame communications degradation, severe thunderstorms, and near-zero visibility, ultimately saving the lives of friendly forces,” according to an NAA press release of the two pilots, operating as Boar 51 flight.

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WNU Editor: There must have been a lot of enemy forces to pin down 50 U.S. and SDF soldiers. Another thought .... I doubt that the F-35 could have conducted the same type of operation, let alone staying over the combat zone for five hours.

How A Marine Sniper And His Men Destroyed A Platoon-Sized Taliban Force In Helmand Province

Staff Sgt. Nathan Hervey, an instructor with the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry-East, listens to his award citation being read at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 5. Hervey was recognized for extraordinary heroism for his actions on May 21, 2011, while deployed to Afghanistan as a scout sniper section leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. Photo Credit: Cpl. Fatmeh Saad/Marine Corps

Task & Purpose: UNSUNG HEROES: This Marine Sniper And His Men Destroyed A Platoon-Sized Enemy Force

Staff Sgt. Nathan Hervey led his Marines in repelling an ambush by a larger enemy force, picking off and routing the enemy.

On May 21, 2011, Sgt. Nathan Hervey, a scout sniper section leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, was deployed to northern Musa Qala, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Hervey and his Marines were tasked with surveillance operations in the volatile district, when they became embattled in a heated firefight with insurgent forces transporting weapons that were to be used against a patrol base nearby.

Hervey’s sniper section was providing overwatch for a squad of Marines when he spotted the insurgents setting up an ambush, according to Marine Corps Times. Ordering his men to engage with sniper and machine-gun fire, the Marines began picking the enemy force apart.

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WNU Editor: This Marine scout sniper was awarded the Bronze Star with V .... Marine scout sniper awarded Bronze Star with 'V (Marine Times).

Top U.S. Military Medals Explained (Inforgraphic)

CNN: Infographic: US military honors, explained

(CNN)Awards and honors bestowed by the military have been a major topic of conversation -- and some confusion -- in US politics for the last week. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is facing a backlash for laying into the Gold Star parents of Muslim US soldier Humayun Khan, who died in a suicide bombing during the Iraq War, after they denounced his policies at the Democratic National Convention. Trump was then criticized for comments made after a supporter gave him a Purple Heart award at a rally in Virginia Tuesday, responding that he "always wanted" one, after which critics asked if he knew why the honor is bestowed. Here's breakdown of the major honors given to military service members and their families by the US government and the reasons they are granted.

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Nearly 20% Of Top U.S. Military Medals Have Been Awarded For Classified Missions Since 9/11

USA Today: Almost 20% of top medals awarded secretly since 9/11

WASHINGTON — Nearly 20% of the military’s most-treasured medals have been awarded for classified missions since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, according to data obtained by USA TODAY.

The secrecy surrounding more than 200 Service Cross and Silver Star awards reflects the reliance on special operations forces involved in classified missions to capture or kill terrorists and free hostages, according to a senior Defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because officials were not authorized to characterize the commendations.

Last month, the Pentagon announced that officials are reviewing 1,090 awards of Service Crosses and Silver Stars awarded since Sept. 11, 2001 to determine if any should be upgraded to the nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.

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WNU Editor: That is a lot of medals and classified missions.

The Pentagon Will Review More Than 1,100 Medals Issued Since 9/11 For An Upgrade

Image: Top three U.S. military medals of valor. US Defense Department

USA Today: Pentagon may upgrade hundreds of troops to possible Medals of Honor

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon will review more than 1,100 medals issued since the 9/11 terror attacks for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor, the country's highest award issued for valor in combat, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.

The sweeping review ordered by Defense Secretary Ash Carter would represent one of the most significant steps in decades to honor troops who have displayed extraordinary courage in combat. It stems from a study of military decorations and awards that was ordered in March 2014 by then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "to ensure that after 13 years of combat the awards system appropriately recognizes the service, sacrifices and action of our service members."

More News On The Pentagon Reviewing 1,100 Medals Issued Since 9/11 For An Upgrade

DOD: Medal review prompted by lack of recognition in Iraq, Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
Military considering upgrades to Medals of Honor -- CNN
Pentagon to overhaul how it recognizes heroism, review cases for modern veterans -- Washington Post
DOD to review 1,100 Iraq, Afghanistan medals to determine if they were awarded appropriately -- Stars and Stripes
New US military medals policy: What is the meaning of valor? -- Lucy Schouten, CSM

U.S. Drone Pilots And Cyber Operators Will Now Have Their Own Military Awards

A drone pilot at a base in upstate New York. Credit Heather Ainsworth for The New York Times

Reuters: Pentagon creates award for U.S. drone pilots, cyber warriors

New military awards will recognize U.S. troops who have directly affected battles as drone pilots or in cyber operations, the Defense Department said on Thursday.

The changes follow an 18-month review which made broader recommendations including standardizing criteria for awards recognizing valorous conduct across all services.

The new award for drone pilots or cyber operators will be a letter "R" device to be affixed to existing service medals. Intelligence officers are unlikely to be eligible for the award, officials said.

"It is for those who have a direct and immediate impact who don't incur the risk of combat," a defense official said.

U.S. Drone Pilots And Cyber Operators Will Now Have Their Own Awards/Military Decorations

Pentagon Will Extend Military Honors to Drone Operators Far From Battles -- NYT
US officials: Pentagon creating awards for drone pilots, others who have direct impact on fight -- AP
Pentagon to award ‘R’ pin to ‘remote’ troops, including drone pilots -- Washington Times
Drone pilots to get medals for killing from thousands of miles away -- The Times
Pentagon creates awards for DRONE pilots as they plan major shake-up of medal system which could see more soldiers become eligible for the Medal of Honor -- Daily Mail
Pentagon introduces military decorations for drone pilots, cyber fighters -- ITNews
Pentagon's Drone Pilots Get a Nod, But No Medals -- Foreign Policy

Questions Arise On Why Was A Green Beret Officer's Silver Star Revoked

Then-Capt. Mathew l. Golsteyn at his award ceremony in January 2011.(Photo: James Robinson/The Fayetteville Observer)

Dan Lamonthe, Stars and Stripes/Washington Post: Green Beret officer's Silver Star revoked as Army cites investigation

WASHINGTON — Capt. Mathew L. Golsteyn was leading a Special Forces team in Afghanistan in 2010 when an 80-man mission he assembled to hunt insurgent snipers went awry. One of their five vehicles sunk into mud, a gunshot incapacitated an Afghan soldier fighting alongside the Americans, and insurgents maneuvered around them to rake the soggy fields with machine-gun fire.

Golsteyn, already a decorated Green Beret officer, responded with calm resolve and braved enemy fire repeatedly that day, according to an Army summary of his actions. He received the Silver Star for valor for his actions on Feb. 20, 2010, during a 2011 ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C. Top Army officials later approved him for an upgrade to the prestigious Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor in honoring heroism in combat by U.S. soldiers.

WNU Editor: Rep. Duncan Hunter has a must read post on this case .... Average Soldiers Don’t Trust Their Generals and They Have a Point (Rep. Duncan Hunter, Daily Beast).

More News On The Case Of Capt. Mathew L. Golsteyn

Special forces major faces revocation of Silver Star over killing allegation -- FOX News
Afghanistan War Hero Stripped of Silver Star -- Washington Free Beacon
Congressman pushes Army on why it revoked Green Beret's Silver Star -- Army Times
CIA job interview leads to criminal investigation of Green Beret -- Washington Post

In A Major Reversal By The Pentagon Troops Are Now Eligible For Campaign Medals In The War Against The Islamic State

Photo: Marines

Pentagon Makes Troops In Fight Against ISIS Eligible For Medals -- The Hill

Pentagon officials on Thursday announced a fix that would make U.S. troops deployed to Iraq in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) eligible for certain medals.

Officials have decided to treat the new mission in Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. fight against terrorism, for the purpose of awarding honors and medals, according to a report.

“Troops deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom are eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,” Army Maj. James Brindle, a Pentagon spokesman, told the Military Times.

The Hill first reported Wednesday that troops in Iraq as part of the anti-ISIS fight were not eligible for certain medals because the Pentagon had not officially designated their mission as a military campaign.

That meant that the roughly 1,700 troops now serving as “advisers” could not receive the Iraq Campaign Medal, an award for troops deployed to Iraq before Dec. 31, 2011.

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My Comment: This change in policy is definitely welcomed.

U.S. Marine Awarded The Silver Star For His Bravery During The September 2012 Attack On Camp Bastion

 

Hero Marine Who Fought Back Attack On Afghan Base While Prince Harry Was There Is Awarded Silver Star -- Daily Mail 

* Major Robb McDonald was awarded a Silver Star Monday for his bravery during the September 2012 attack on Camp Bastion
* The attack apparently targeted Prince Harry
* The Marine Corps air base in Afghanistan had been raided by 15 heavily armed Taliban insurgents dressed in U.S. uniforms
* McDonald arrived on the scene, and found his commanding officer dead so he took the helm and led a counterattack
* The battle ended in 14 of the enemy dead and one wounded, who was later interrogated
* The father-of-two already has two Bronze Star medals for valor in combat

Major Robb McDonald was awarded a Silver Star Monday for his bravery during the September 2012 attack on Camp Bastion, which apparently targeted Prince Harry.

The Marine Corps air base in Afghanistan had been raided by 15 heavily armed Taliban insurgents, jets were exploding and a lake of fuel was aflame when McDonald arrived on the scene, and found his commanding officer dead.

With some 50 Marines holed up in an aluminum-sided building that officials later called indefensible, the former force reconnaissance Marine who already has two Bronze Star medals for valor in combat, took the helm and led a counterattack, which ended in 14 of the enemy dead and one wounded.  

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Update: Silver Star awarded for Bastion heroism -- UT San Diego  

My Comment: Oorha!!!!

No Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors

The controversial Distinguished Service Medal has been scrapped in favor of a device that can be attached to previously existing medals, the Pentagon announced Monday.

Pentagon Reverses Course On Distinguished Warfare Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors -- al.com

The Pentagon is doing away with plans for the Distinguished Warfare Medal, changing the way drone pilots and cyber warriors will be recognized in the future.

In a memo released today, Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the recognition will now be given as a distinguished device that will be affixed to existing medals. The final award criteria and the specifics of the distinguished device will be developed in the next three months, Hagel said.

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More News On The Pentagon Canceling The Distinguished Warfare Medal

Pentagon cancels divisive Distinguished Warfare Medal for cyber ops, drone strikes -- Washington Post
Hagel Downgrades Drone Operators’ Medal to ‘Device’ -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Chuck Hagel cancels creation of new drone, cyber medal -- Politico
Pentagon calls off new medal for drone, cyber warriors -- AFP
US Defense Secretary Abolishes Distinguished Warfare Medal -- RTT
Pentagon to downgrade award for drone operators -- CNN
Hagel Repeals Drone Service Medal -- Military.com

Distinguished Warfare Medal Cancelled -- Wall Street Journal
Hagel nixes medal for drone pilots, cyberwarriors -- Washington Times
Pentagon Strikes 'Drone Medal' -- US News and World Report

U.S. Secretary Of Defense Hagel Orders A Review Of The Distinguished Warfare Medal

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New Military Medal For Drone Operators Under Fire: Defense Chief Hagel Orders Review -- NBC

Amid a firestorm of protests from veterans’ groups and lawmakers, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of a new military medal for pilots of unmanned drones. The Distinguished Warfare Medal for drone operators was ordered last month by former Defense Sectary Leon Panetta, but it was rankedabove the medals awarded service members who fought under fire on the front lines, the Bronze Star with combat V and the Purple Heart. Critics among veterans and on Capitol Hill argued any medal for drone operators thousands of miles from the battle zone should be ranked below the traditional combat awards.

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More News On U.S. Secretary Of Defense Hagel Ordering Review Of The Distinguished Warfare Medal  

Hagel Directs Review of Distinguished Warfare Medal -- US Department of Defense
Hagel Halts Production of Drone Pilot Medals -- Military.com
Official: Production stopped on Distinguished Warfare Medal -- Politico/AP
Hagel Orders Review of 'Drone Medal' -- US News and World Report
Military Medal for Drone Warfare to Be Reviewed by Hagel -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Production on Distinguished Warfare Medal halted, Pentagon agrees to review (updated) -- Al.com
Controversy spurs Pentagon's Hagel to review new 'Nintendo' medal -- Christian Science Monitor
Pentagon to review new medal for drone pilots, cyberwarriors -- Washington Times
Chuck Hagel Orders Review Of Distinguished Warfare Medal For Drone Pilots -- Huffington Post
Hagel to review criteria for drone medal -- CNN
Hagel asks Joint Chiefs to reconsider drone medal -- The E-Ring/Foreign Policy
No medals for drone pilots: Hagel puts a hold on cyberwarfare award -- RT
US Distinguished Warfare Medal ‘Under Review’ by Defense Dept. -- RIA Novosti
Defense Secretary Hagel reconsiders the new Distinguished Warfare Medal (Video) -- Examiner
Hagel might reverse Panetta’s decision to rank drone medal above Bronze Star -- Washington Examiner
Good riddance to a medal -- Washington Times editorial
In the drone wars, everyone gets a medal: Obama’s military confuses honor with bravery -- David G. Bolgiano and G. John Taylor, Washington Times

Is The New U.S. Drone Medal A Reflection Of Political Bias?

Image: The Pentagon is creating the Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize UAV pilots.

Dems Clueless About Combat -- Russ Vaughn, American Thinker

Warfare has progressed geometrically since I was a young sergeant on the ground in Vietnam. The huge advances in computers and electronics have given our American forces capabilities never before possessed in any of our previous wars. Among the most widely known of these is drone warfare, wherein an unmanned, armed, aerial vehicle enters enemy airspace, guided by an office-based pilot somewhere many thousands of miles from the actual conflict, and launches lethal missiles against detected targets.

To this old infantryman's way of thinking, that is a great concept. The idea of being able to win wars from the air goes back to WWI; the concept was used to great effect in WWII, when strategic bombings in Germany and Japan greatly degraded the fighting ability of both those countries and undoubtedly saved tens of thousands of American servicemen's lives. I can't begin to express my gratitude to those Air Force and Naval aviators who flew over my ground positions and delivered lethal ordinance on my enemies in the hills, mountains, and rice paddies of South Vietnam. But for them, I might not be writing this.

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My Comment: I am not a "liberal Democrat" .... but I do see the value of having such a medal. Should it be the same (or better) as a Bronze Star .... I would definitely say no .... but even if it is I suspect that among the men and women within the military they will probably recognize the drone medal for what it is .... and a Bronze Star for what it is .... even though "it's official level and status" may say something else.

Update: Burn Pit is on a tear over the drone medal. Go here for the link. Hat Tip: Bring the heat. Bring the Stupid.

Pentagon Pressured To Drop New Drone Medal Below Rank Of Bronze Star

Image: The Pentagon is creating the Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize UAV pilots.

Obama Pressured To Drop New Hero Medal For Drone And Cyber Warriors Below Rank Of Bronze Star -- Washington Times

More than 5,000 people have signed a petition urging the White House to lower the ranking of a new medal for drone pilots and cyberwarfare specialists that has drawn criticism for its ranking above the Bronze Star.

“Under no circumstance should a medal that is designed to honor a pilot, that is controlling a drone via remote control, thousands of miles away from the theater of operation, rank above a medal that involves a soldier being in the line of fire on the ground,” the petition posted on the White House website says.

The Washington Times first reported Friday that some warriors inside the Pentagon were questioning and mocking Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta’s decision last week to create the Distinguished Warfare Medal for cyber- and drone-combatants who sit inside stations outside a war zone.

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My Comment: The petition website is here. Will the Pentagon listen to these complaints .... for the moment no. The Pentagon has also been very clear on why this medal should be awarded as is.

More Criticism Of The Distinguished Warfare Medal That Recognizes UAV Pilots

Image: The Pentagon is creating the Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize UAV pilots.

Purple Heart Group: New Medal ‘Insulting’ -- Army Times

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is the latest veterans group to call for the Pentagon to reconsider its new medal honoring drone pilots and others who are not actually serving in combat, calling it “degrading and insulting” to veterans who served on the ground in wartime.

The order, a nationwide network of troops and veterans who sustained physical injuries in combat, issued a statement Friday criticizing the new Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was unveiled this week and is intended to recognize troops in high-tech career fields who affect the battlefield without actually being in theater.

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My Comment: The opposition is growing, there is now an online petition to change the medal’s ‘order of precedence’. As to what is my take on this debate .... war and technology to wage war is evolving and changing very quickly. Drones and robots are going to play a bigger and more important role in the years to come, and in some cases they will be the only participants .... as a result .... the men and women do need to be recognized for their efforts.

What Some In The Military Feel About Drone Medals

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Viral Photo Sums Up Military's Feeling About Drone Medals -- Business Insider

There's been a near unanimous outcry from the military "underground" since the Pentagon announced new medals for drone pilots.

In particular, servicemembers find it unjustifiable that the medal would fall higher than a Bronze Star for Valor, which requires actual courage in the face of the enemy.

Surfacing just hours after the announcement on The Duffel Blog facebook page, somebody with Photoshop skills put together an image of an XBox controller hanging below Bronze Star colors. The image is both a play on the new medal, as well as a shout out to the Bronze Star with Valor distinguishing device.

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My Comment: They may laugh now .... but as technology improves and drones get more effective and lethal .... there will be a point where many in the military will appreciate having drones circling above them when they are on missions and/or engaged with the enemy .... and will give them the recognition and medals that they deserve.

Pentagon Creates A Special Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors

REUTERS/Skip Peterson

The Pentagon's Planning Combat Medals For Drone Pilots Nowhere Close To Battle -- Business Insider

Combat award citations often include the phrase "for heroic achievement in connection with ground combat operations," but that's set to change with a new award announced for troops that launch drone strikes or direct cyberattacks against the enemy.

The blue, red and white Distinguished Warfare Medal will be given to servicemembers that demonstrate "extraordinary achievement" related to a military operation after 9/11. But unlike every other combat award, it does not require the recipient to risk her or her life, according to the Associated Press.

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More News On the Pentagon Creating A Special Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors

Pentagon to Start Awarding Medals for Drone Strikes and Cyberattacks -- The Atlantic
Pentagon creates new medal for cyber, drone wars -- Boston.com/AP
DoD mints new medal for drone pilots and cyber warriors -- Ars Technica
Pentagon Unveiling Drone Warfare Medal -- Fast Company
Pentagon creates special medal for drone pilots -- RT

U.S. Soldier's Silver Star Upgraded To A Service Cross

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno presents the Distinguished Service Cross to Sgt. Craig Warfle, from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, during an award ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., Oct. 26, 2012. Warfle received the award for his actions during combat operations in Afghanistan.

What This Soldier Did Was So Impressive His Silver Star Was Upgraded To A Service Cross

Specialist Craig Warfle was in a sticky situation.

A CH-46 helicopter had flown through a hail of bullets and dropped off Ranger Element 1, Warfle's team, in the heat of a highly kinetic gunfight with the Taliban. Warfle's team was supposed to suppress the enemy, allowing for Element 2 to assault their position. He hadn't even stepped off the ramp of the helicopter though when plans started falling apart.

Warfle exited the bird and into a wall of heavy, effective, accurate fire. He fell to the ground immediately, alternating fire and low crawling toward the enemy position. Meanwhile both Elements 1 and 2 found themselves pinned down and out of position.

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My Comment: It should have been upgraded to the Medal Of Honor.

Did You Get Your Silver Star Medal?

Did Army Award Silver Stars Without Telling Recipients? -- CNN

The accidental posting of personal information online about top Army combat award recipients has created confusion over whether some soldiers were ever told that they had earned Silver Stars for heroism.

At issue is the discovery last week of a document inadvertently published on the Web by a contractor that listed hundreds of valor award recipients beginning in 2001.

The list includes the names and Social Security numbers of Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross recipients from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The list also includes the names of hundreds of Silver Star recipients from the same conflicts, but does not note their Social Security information.

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My Comment: Unbelievable .... the Pentagon definitely needs a database to track who gets what medals .... but in an age where massive budget cuts are on the horizon, I suspect that such a database is low on their priority list.

Meet The Man Who Is Cataloging 350,000 Medal-Of-Valor Winners

Doug Sterner looks up information on a military medal winner in his files. Six years ago, he quit his job as a college computer instructor to devote all his attention to his database. (David Zucchino, Los Angeles Times / December 31, 1969)

One Man's Heroic Quest: Cataloging 350,000 Medal-Of-Valor Winners -- L.A. Times

For 14 years, veteran Doug Sterner has been combing military archives to create a list of all the recipients of the top medals of valor, a task the Pentagon is unwilling to do.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Doug Sterner drives from his cluttered apartment here to the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., carrying a portable photocopier and a belief in American heroes.

Inside the Navy archives, he flips through thousands of typed index cards detailing bravery in battle. Sterner pulls out a card and starts reading. He's mesmerized by this story:

Charles Valentine August, a Navy pilot who shot down two enemy planes in World War II, was later shot down himself and captured in North Africa. After escaping, August returned to combat and was shot down again and taken prisoner by the Japanese.

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My Comment: What can I say .... he is dedicated. My head bows down to Doug Sterner .... the work that he does is indispensable and vital for those heroes who are no longer with us.