Posted on Dec 26, 2018
Should this Soldier have gotten a medal?
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I knew a Soldier who found himself in a dangerous situation. He handled it admirably, and I've always wondered if he should have gotten the Soldier's Medal, or perhaps some lesser medal.
Here's what happened (all on video):
SM pulls up to a gas pump to fuel up his POV. His wife is in the passenger seat. He turns off the car and exits it. As he steps out, a bystander alerts him to flames in the engine compartment that had just become visible. SM re-enters the burning vehicle (parked next to a gas pump), and restarts the engine so he can drive it away from the pump. He drove it to a gravel area near the main road, away from bystanders and the pumps. Then he grabbed a fire extinguisher he kept in the car, and told his wife to get clear of the car, while he used the fire extinguisher in a failed attempt to control the flame. He then moved away from the car and called the fire department.
I understand that the criteria for the Soldier's Medal generally involve risking one's life to save the life of another. Does re-entering a burning car next to a gas pump, in order to move it away for the safety of a half dozen bystanders, qualify for this? Is it negated by the fact that he put the car next to the pump in the first place (obviously this was before there were flames visible).
Pictured is the actual car, ablaze, moments after SM's failed application of the fire extinguisher.
Here's what happened (all on video):
SM pulls up to a gas pump to fuel up his POV. His wife is in the passenger seat. He turns off the car and exits it. As he steps out, a bystander alerts him to flames in the engine compartment that had just become visible. SM re-enters the burning vehicle (parked next to a gas pump), and restarts the engine so he can drive it away from the pump. He drove it to a gravel area near the main road, away from bystanders and the pumps. Then he grabbed a fire extinguisher he kept in the car, and told his wife to get clear of the car, while he used the fire extinguisher in a failed attempt to control the flame. He then moved away from the car and called the fire department.
I understand that the criteria for the Soldier's Medal generally involve risking one's life to save the life of another. Does re-entering a burning car next to a gas pump, in order to move it away for the safety of a half dozen bystanders, qualify for this? Is it negated by the fact that he put the car next to the pump in the first place (obviously this was before there were flames visible).
Pictured is the actual car, ablaze, moments after SM's failed application of the fire extinguisher.
Medals
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Courage
What Would You Do
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 60
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Possibly. However, there is a complexity. It's HIS vehicle.
This changes the (perceived) "tone" of his actions. I am not implying that his actions are not worth commendation or acknowledgement, but... what we are willing to do for ourselves is often greater than what we are willing to do for others.
If this was someone else's vehicle, file the paperwork for an ARCOM, as I think it would be more appropriate than a Soldier's Medal (or equivalent), mainly because every gas station has an emergency shut-off switch (big red button), and the heroism is "indirect" as opposed to "direct" (the Marine I know with the Navy Marine Corps Medal has it for a Grenade Pit Incident, so I am likely jaded to the high end).
However, being his own vehicle and his own spouse, there are elements of Subjectiveness that change whether this is a "heroic act" or something anyone of us would do for our own property or loved ones (or believe we would until faced with the same decisions). This would shift my assessment of the act to something more akin to "acknowledgement" which would be an AAM or a Coin (which I believe the Army used to replace Letters of Appreciation).
I absolutely think his actions should be recognized, mainly because as Marines put it on the end of all our awards, he "Reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the Unites States Naval Service" (or whatever verbiage the Army uses). He's a shining example of WHAT TO DO, and we need GOOD EXAMPLES.
This changes the (perceived) "tone" of his actions. I am not implying that his actions are not worth commendation or acknowledgement, but... what we are willing to do for ourselves is often greater than what we are willing to do for others.
If this was someone else's vehicle, file the paperwork for an ARCOM, as I think it would be more appropriate than a Soldier's Medal (or equivalent), mainly because every gas station has an emergency shut-off switch (big red button), and the heroism is "indirect" as opposed to "direct" (the Marine I know with the Navy Marine Corps Medal has it for a Grenade Pit Incident, so I am likely jaded to the high end).
However, being his own vehicle and his own spouse, there are elements of Subjectiveness that change whether this is a "heroic act" or something anyone of us would do for our own property or loved ones (or believe we would until faced with the same decisions). This would shift my assessment of the act to something more akin to "acknowledgement" which would be an AAM or a Coin (which I believe the Army used to replace Letters of Appreciation).
I absolutely think his actions should be recognized, mainly because as Marines put it on the end of all our awards, he "Reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the Unites States Naval Service" (or whatever verbiage the Army uses). He's a shining example of WHAT TO DO, and we need GOOD EXAMPLES.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SFC (Join to see) - The awards process is Subjective by nature. It's a recognition based system and requires subjectivity at its core. Two people can perform similar acts but not be recognized similarly. There are countless examples of this.
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SFC (Join to see)
The decision to award and the decision as to which award are subjective. If I decide this award is appropriate for this act by a soldier of this rank that’s where the subjectivity stops. If I had two Soldiers who did the exact same thing but one did so for a stranger and one did so for a family member and each had to put their safety on the line to achieve the same outcome, they are getting the same recognition. Their relationship to others involved in the scenario doesn’t matter.
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SFC (Join to see)
In reading my first comment though I could have been more specific as to where I’m the process subjectivity becomes an issue.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SFC (Join to see) - I understand what you are saying, however recognition (awards) is complex. As an example, you have two soldiers (a SSG and a SPC) both performing a task or mission. What is old hat or simple to the SSG could be a major challenge for the SPC, simply because of their own contextual experiences.
What we expect out of the SSG is just higher, because they have more scope of responsibility, therefore the same act would not rate the same recognition.
These are contextual factors we as leaders must anticipate. I absolutely expect someone to save their own child, wife, family, and property from harm and possible death. I do not have that same expectation regarding them saving a stranger's life. That is what makes it exceptional and worthy of (level of) recognition.
As said in my very post:
"I absolutely think his actions should be recognized, mainly because as Marines put it on the end of all our awards, he "Reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the Unites States Naval Service" (or whatever verbiage the Army uses). He's a shining example of WHAT TO DO, and we need GOOD EXAMPLES."
However, there are enough questions regarding motive to shift level of recognition outside of the Soldier's Medal realm, in my opinion.
What we expect out of the SSG is just higher, because they have more scope of responsibility, therefore the same act would not rate the same recognition.
These are contextual factors we as leaders must anticipate. I absolutely expect someone to save their own child, wife, family, and property from harm and possible death. I do not have that same expectation regarding them saving a stranger's life. That is what makes it exceptional and worthy of (level of) recognition.
As said in my very post:
"I absolutely think his actions should be recognized, mainly because as Marines put it on the end of all our awards, he "Reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the Unites States Naval Service" (or whatever verbiage the Army uses). He's a shining example of WHAT TO DO, and we need GOOD EXAMPLES."
However, there are enough questions regarding motive to shift level of recognition outside of the Soldier's Medal realm, in my opinion.
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Not sure....I got a AR COM., for working 5 hours on a multiple MVA where 3 people passed away but was able to save three other's....And also saved one of the spouses from jumping into traffic cause he lost his wife....I also got one of our own to come and get them flown out....Did I expect a medal for all that...hell no! It was all caught on video and film (photo's)...that's why my Unit heard of it, otherwise I would have never said anything....We do these things cause we do....I was a medic...I was needed...end of story.
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CPL Steve Freeman
SFC Scott Parkhurst you are hereby forewarned I don't buy that bottom shelf shit like even williams, jim beam or crown. I only buy the good stuff. Lol If someone offers me evan williams he's gettin punched in the mouth. If its not at least $40 or $50/5th I aint puttin it in my body or offering it to anyone else. The Bible says do unto others as youd have them do to you. So Johnny Walker Blue, Green, Gold or Double Black, Makers 46, or maybe even WT 101. I barely drink at all anymore but when I do it's gota be good.
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PO1 Chad Alcock
I've been in a similar situation. Never would I expect a medal for it, but I'm sure I would have said something along the lines of "Dude, can you believe that really happened!?"
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SFC Scott Parkhurst
PO1 Chad Alcock - I'm sure you did what you had to do and didn't even think twice about it. And yes, like me...man I was blown away afterwards...five hours later I was totally drained and just happy that the Army came when they did and that the Boarder Patrol wasn't intimidated by my asking them for their help etc....I was a CA police officer before going on leave to join for Desert Storm and they said they "loved" CA cops...so I got full control over this very bad car wreck...But the point is that none of us join to get medals and we do what we have to do...Some run from stuff and we run into it...
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