I don't understand. Why didn't this Marine earn the Medal of Honor for his actions that day?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:30:14 -0500

Just read.

http://taskandpurpose.com/unsung-heroes-the-lance-corporal-now-turned-sheriff-who-carried-7-marines-out-of-a-deadly-ambush/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=hp-facebook&utm_campaign=culture

UNSUNG HEROES: The Lance Corporal (Now Turned Sheriff) Who Carried 7 Marines Out Of A Deadly...

Exactly 10 years ago today, in Haditha, Iraq, 32-year-old Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. Todd Corbin ran through gunfire, repelled his attackers, carried away casualties, and drove everyone to safety.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 9:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:33:14 -0500

Good question

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Dec 8 at 2015 9:34 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:34:01 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member he should have been awarded the MOH. I was over there during that time and heard of his gallantry. A hero!

Response by SGT Larry Prentice made Dec 8 at 2015 9:38 PM

SGT Larry Prentice — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:38:36 -0500

Sounds like MOH criteria to me!!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 8 at 2015 9:43 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:43:44 -0500

As an E-3? He's lucky he got more than a COA with his name misspelled....Welcome to politics..

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 8 at 2015 10:13 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:13:18 -0500

Very good question...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Dec 8 at 2015 10:39 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:39:17 -0500

Probably because no one recommended him, supported it, and/or they were lacking witnesses.

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made Dec 9 at 2015 10:43 AM

CPL Jay Freeman — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:43:33 -0500

So yes I am white and I know it and don't want to turn this into a race issue but we still have that issue in the military we would be stupid to say it's not but I looked up on Google how many blacks recited the moh it gave me a brief history lesson it wasn't in till bill Clinton had military records reviewed did blacks start getting awarded this. I was unable to copy and paste link. When I was in I had an issue with being with the blind masses I also have issue with people who make something from nothing. The kids own Sargent was wounded no idea of race or injury status plus I don't remember what year he did this hopefully it is just a paperwork issue and not anouther casualty to race. ( I did not mean any dissemination or disrespect by my comments but sometimes it is better for someone ells of a diffrent race to pick up this flag and say it is not right.) ( I had an encounter with a black man that opened my eyes to the race issue his statement to anouther black man will for ever stick with me.) His un edited statement to other guy.
It is niggers like you that make it hard for black men like me. If I ever catch you using your skin color as a reason someone won't do something for you I will end you myself. He said this while holding the guy up off his feet by his neck. The guy who said this coverd found and set him straight with no hesitation I was shocked. And gained a new respect for others. Plz keep in mind I do not mean to disrespect or offend anyone.

Response by SSG Andy Hemmersbach made Dec 9 at 2015 4:09 PM

SSG Andy Hemmersbach — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:09:08 -0500

Cause he didn't have enough rank according to his leadership

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Dec 9 at 2015 4:16 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:16:19 -0500

Failure of his leadership and those who were there to recommend him for the higher award.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Dec 9 at 2015 5:57 PM

SPC Matt Johnson — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 17:57:22 -0500

it comes down to chain of command. If your chain of command has people that don't know you and/or don't like you, you are lucky to get anything. I've seen FOBITs get CABs, bronze stars, silver stars who never saw combat, never went outside the wire. While you had dozens of guys who went outside the wire get shot at, hit with IEDs, get into firefights and then get nothing but a coin and a handshake because they where not infantry or where not high enough in rank

Response by SPC Raul Santiago made Dec 9 at 2015 7:20 PM

SPC Raul Santiago — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 19:20:38 -0500

BLAME THAT ON HIS CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR NOT AVOCADING FOR HIM . THESE DAYS IT"S ALL ABOUT HOW YOU PUT IT IN AND FOLLOW THRU !!!! MY RESPECT HE IS A MOTOR VIHECAL OPERRATOR !!!! BURNS ME!!!

Response by SPC David Glines made Dec 10 at 2015 12:12 AM

SPC David Glines — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:12:59 -0500

Chain of Command all the way up failed this Marine

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 10 at 2015 12:20 AM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:20:21 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Two words: Politics and rank. No benefit to the one, no access to the other.

Response by SPC Randall Eichelberger made Dec 10 at 2015 1:04 AM

SPC Randall Eichelberger — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 01:04:04 -0500

Merely running through fire doesn't qualify you for the MOH guys. We already hand awards out like candy, we don't need to do the same for our nations highest award for valor. Yes it was valor, but we have many different degrees of valor awards. The Navy Cross is the right award. Look at how awards were done in past wars, such as WW2.

Response by SA Charles Scarbrough made Dec 10 at 2015 1:40 AM

SA Charles Scarbrough — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 01:40:40 -0500

You don't earn the MOH. But he probably should have been awarded it.

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Dec 10 at 2015 6:38 AM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 06:38:42 -0500

Because most CMoH awardees are killed as a result of their action. He deserves Silver star

Response by SGT Robert Deem made Dec 10 at 2015 8:01 AM

SGT Robert Deem — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:01:21 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member The Medal of Honor has some very specific requirements that must be met in order for a person to be considered. The first and most important is that it must involve a serious and immediate risk to life while in direct contact with enemy forces. There is no question that standard was met here. Another is that the act must have actually accomplished something, e.g. lives saved, mission accomplished, etc. It is pretty clear that lives were saved as a direct result of his actions.

There are a couple of standards, however, where this act appears to fall short. One is that the act must put the nominee in more danger than if he had not performed it. I'm not sure that is the case here, since he was already in the midst of the ambush. In other words, he didn't voluntarily put himself in the line of fire, he was already in the line of fire to begin with. The other (and most compelling in this case) is that the act must be completely voluntary. This means that it is something that is not expected of him and that there will be absolutely no negative repercussion if he does not do it. I think it could be argued that if a Marine finds himself in an ambush and members of his platoon are injured and taking fire, he is expected to take action. I think that he probably would not have fared well if he had simply sat and cowered behind the wheel of his vehicle while members of his platoon were slaughtered.

This Marine did very well. His actions surely saved lives and were a credit to himself and to his uniform. This case, as outlined in the article, does not appear to merit the MoH.

Response by Maj Eric Marble made Dec 10 at 2015 8:46 AM

Maj Eric Marble — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:46:55 -0500

That's 2 MEF for you. They took care of their own and screwed everyone not from a Lejeune command.

Response by CN Rollen Hines made Dec 11 at 2015 4:59 PM

CN Rollen Hines — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:59:14 -0500

I think the issue may be that he was a Reserve person. I not that shouldn't mean anything be it happens.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2015 9:00 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 21:00:56 -0500

He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions.

Response by SSG Ray Petersen made Dec 11 at 2015 9:15 PM

SSG Ray Petersen — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 21:15:49 -0500

Awards are something that I will never understand. How someone like a 1LT running an S1 in afghanistan is a FOBBIT, never leaves the wire and can get a bronze star, where as an E-4/E-5 were to go out on convoys get ambushed and shot at several times throughout my tour they'd be lucky to get an ARCOM at most

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2015 10:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 22:00:38 -0500

He should have got it. It's rare for the military to award those who deserve it. Haven't you seen scum bags get promoted or stupid LT's who are sleeping in the humvees during a patrol get bronze stars?

Response by CPL James Mellar made Dec 12 at 2015 1:36 AM

CPL James Mellar — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 01:36:09 -0500

The only reasons he did not get the MOH, I surmise, is that giving one was not politically advantageous.

Response by MSgt Chris Chambre made Dec 12 at 2015 5:15 AM

MSgt Chris Chambre — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 05:15:45 -0500

Thats easy, cause his chain of command were POS's

Response by LtCol Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2015 7:10 AM

LtCol Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 07:10:11 -0500

Well, he did get the Navy Cross for his actions...that's nothing to sniff at.

Response by MSgt Christopher Schoen made Dec 12 at 2015 6:28 PM

MSgt Christopher Schoen — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 18:28:52 -0500

Politics and laziness? IDK. Probably more like pricks in his command staff. Sucks getting the shit end of the short stick

Response by COL Sam Russell made Dec 13 at 2015 5:42 AM

COL Sam Russell — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 05:42:28 -0500

As I read the citations of Distinguished Service Crosses and Navy Crosses from Iraq and Afghanistan I am convinced that everyone of them could and should be upgraded to Medals of Honor. This is another example.

Response by LCpl Chad Artimovich made Dec 13 at 2015 9:54 AM

LCpl Chad Artimovich — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 09:54:10 -0500

He is black

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 11:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 11:47:07 -0500

MoH requires you to be wounded in the course of those actions which is why he probably did not get it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 5:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 17:37:34 -0500

The strength of any citation as we leaders are well aware of can only be stymied by something negetive in a soldiers' prior performance reports. Which is probably the reason for the MOH not being awarded. I would agree that an exception to policy would been warranted given the degree of bravery displayed by this Marine.

Response by PFC Aaron Knapp made Dec 14 at 2015 8:07 AM

PFC Aaron Knapp — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:07:08 -0500

Feels like compared to all our previous wars and conflicts we have been handing them out like candy though. Not saying he wasn't brave and a Hero but that doesn't mean he isn't deserving. But at least a Navy Cross.

Response by 1SG William Svoboda made Dec 14 at 2015 9:04 AM

1SG William Svoboda — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:04:51 -0500

It is interesting t read comments here about awards and promotions. It is like armchair quarterbacking. We don't know what we don't know, period. When we don't have the facts we fill in the details to get clousure probably the best answer here is SGT Deem's. How many of us 1SG/CO' made decisions about awards, promotions, and assignments and then heard the push back from the ranks about unfair its? Its a fact that there are things/events that we are not privy to and don't deserve to know. On the battlefield and in the heat of battle, the average soldier just "doing their job" probably deserves an award of some nature. Those that go above and beyond should be recognized comensurate with the action. Is the system unfair, has the CoC failed their troops, or is there a discrepancy in the awards and decorations? Who knows. But one thing is certain and for that I'm proud of the individual that initiated this COMO, some one gives a sh-- enough to address his actions!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 1:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:58:21 -0500

If this is true and he didn't get ANY medal whatsoever, that is a true shame and a sham because this guy risked his skin to get his comrades. Nothing for it? I blame his leadership, or lack thereof. I agree, one doesn't do it for the medals, BUT it would have been really nice to be recognized. I feel bad he didn't get ANYTHING. If he did, the author of the article doesn't say.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 15 at 2015 4:25 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 04:25:25 -0500

The wheels of the system can grind very slowly. More than one or two Soldiers have been awarded our Highest Honor many many years after their Valor. Sometimes it takes a Fresh Set of Eyes.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 9:46 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:46:43 -0500

I would suggest instead of having an Officer vs. Enlisted pissing contest, if folks feel so strong then start a petition to POTUS or this gentleman's congressman and GET him the MOH. We all agree he earned it. Let's not have any more contention than there already is in the world. We're ONE U.S. Military!

Response by SSgt M. Har made Dec 15 at 2015 4:11 PM

SSgt M. Har — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:11:56 -0500

He is a Marine they will just say he was doing his job.

Response by SGT Jack Wegman made Dec 17 at 2015 1:57 PM

SGT Jack Wegman — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:57:55 -0500

MOH for sure where is it why is this brave young man not wearing one.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 4:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:12:03 -0500

What if it is a case of Monday morning quarterbacking? Everyone seems to have a lot of answers long after the fact. Does every mistake or oversight (IF this is one) require a complex and in-depth reasoning, or are we always looking for an agenda to confirm our personal bias?

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 24 at 2015 4:19 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:19:04 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member - it's a crying shame that he was not awarded the CMH. I suspect that politics have prevented this gallant warrior from being properly recognized.