A group of House lawmakers is moving to strip the armed services’ civilian leaders of the power to revoke combat valor awards in response to Army Secretary John McHugh unilaterally canceling the Silver Star, one of the military’s highest honors, for a former Green Beret officer.
Mr. McHugh took the action against Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, who braved repeated enemy fire in Afghanistan, even though he has not been charged with any offenses. The Army now is seeking to release him with a less-than-honorable discharge. The officer plans to fight the move, his attorney says.
The secretary acted after the CIA informed the Army that Maj. Golsteyn, during a polygraph exam for a job application, told of killing a terrorist who was making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the weapon that has killed more Americans in Afghanistan than any other. The Army also removed Maj. Golsteyn from the elite ranks of the Green Berets.
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I'm a little confused! If it was a terrorist making IEDs, why would it be a crime or infraction deserving of punishment? Aren't they the ones we want to kill? How does that get you arrested or kicked out of the military or stripped of an award? Anyone?
ReplyDeleteExecutive action! Now Obama has ordered soldiers to offer these bomb makers a job in the white house with free relocation and housing.
DeleteThe kill might not have been strictly according to the rules of engagement, which are not written in our favor.
ReplyDelete