Not to bash anyone, especially our Amercan Soldiers and Vets on here, but I couldn't give a rats ars about who did what, where, when or how. What I do know is that in a situation and in a time that many Americans wanted a successful ending with a good Ole American feel good feeling, this provided it. Many Americans, especially the families of the crew members were just praying that we would be successful. We were, and that is all they or I care about. Not that my opinion really matters.
In addition to what you are said being true, there is a method to success which, for the most part, was the topic of this thread. All opinions count and so with successful methods employed, they shall continue.
Was it a regular Bronze Star, or Bronze Star with Combat V? Just from personal experience, and not to knock any recipients, but it seems to me that in the last few years the US Army has thrown out Bronze Stars like we threw out candy to Iraqi kids. The soldiers who earned the Combat Vs are the ones that really get my attention.
i agree. it was successful and that is all that matters. may i add the chick opinion of i agree with trying to resolve it through negotiations or whatever first. there are something like 200 people of other nations being held by these scum, not to mention that at the time they had one of our own. one little thing gone wrong, including the pirates feeling like they were gonna be killed no matter what, and a lot of innocent people could have started being offed in retribution. i fully understand the need to try to protect a lot of people before resorting to taking these scum out. because as it happened, once they were, the pirates mentality seems to have changed to "we will start offing people next time before they can off us".
Point taken, I think the no I'm right, no I'm right thing going on got me side tracked from the topic. But I personally still don't care about the strategies utilzed, and dissecting who could have done what better. Fact remains the people who executed the plan were successful. End result, peoples lives saved, families happy, and Americans have a feel good story to what otherwise could have been a tragic ending. For those who want to debate the merit of what coulda, shoulda been done, carry on because all opinions count. To the American Soldiers and Vets on here, may God Bless you and thank you for all you do for us Amercans. You are all equal heros to our Liberties and Freedom.
I guess if the final result makes you feel better then mission accomplished. Thing is the success of any branch from any military depends on after action reviews, pointing out what/ whom was right and most importantly what went wrong, you know, think tanking. My point is that success is built on those reviews in an attempt to not do the wrong thing again. Strategy is the one most important factors when taking on bad guys. If this story were true, perhaps in part, the strategy may have been to show a non-threatening presence so they lower their guard and then pounce, perhaps. In that, Okie makes a very good point. Soldiers die every day in peace time, training out the mistakes so that one day when the light geaux's green, game on and bring em home safe. In that respect good debate is healthy.
Absolutely, and don't disagree with you one bit. I just tend to leave that analysis and training up to the professionals that get paid to make those decisions. With so much negative going on in the world I would rather focus on the feel good portion of this story rather than debate whether I know as much or more than the Generals, Colonels, Admirals, and CIF that made the decision.
maybe i should change that to THIS chicks opinion, tho it was the only chick opinion of the thread (so far).:grin: but of course, it makes sense that would have to be explained to a single person.:hihi:
The award was for combat kills. The Army has always been generous with Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts, which is good, because there is an awful lot of merit being earned out there. The Bronze Star can be earned for valor or for meritorious service.When awarded for valor, the small bronze "V" device is attached to the ribbon. But in either case the earner is required to have been "engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States or engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force."
