Should Nick Eslinger's Distinguished Service Cross be upgraded to a Medal of Honor?

2022-11-15T07:20:04-05:00

The title was edited to reflect the fact that it was upgraded from a Silver Star to a DSC.

His citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Nicholas Michael Eslinger, United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company C, 2d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on 1 October 2008, in Samarra, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM VII. Without regard for his own personal safety, during a grenade attack on his dismounted patrol, Second Lieutenant Eslinger saved the lives of the soldiers under his command by moving to the grenade, covering it with his body and throwing it back in the direction of the enemy. Second Lieutenant Eslinger's actions prevented at least six soldiers from being severely wounded or killed. Following these actions, Second Lieutenant Eslinger continued the pursuit of the enemy combatant, leading to his detention. Second Lieutenant Eslinger's bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon him, the Multi-National Corps Iraq, and the United States Army.

Covering a grenade with his body and throwing it sounds like an awful lot of MoH citations I've read. In fact, it seems that such an action is the classic way to automatically qualify for the nation's greatest honor.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 15 at 2022 7:32 AM

2022-11-15T07:32:56-05:00

Sounds like this one needs an upgrade! Thoughts guys?

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Nov 15 at 2022 7:41 AM

2022-11-15T07:41:23-05:00

No doubt a courageous act, but the Silver Star is appropriate. I think the discriminating factor here between other "grenade" related MoH citations is that the grenade didn't go off and he wasn't injured or killed.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 15 at 2022 8:22 AM

2022-11-15T08:22:38-05:00

I am not at all saying this is how it went down. But based on that citation, this is what I picture in my head:

S3: How'd it go out there on patrol today, LT?
Eslinger: Well, sir, we captured a bad guy.
S3: A bad guy, huh? How do you know he was a bad guy?
Eslinger: He threw a grenade at us.
S3: A grenade? Shit! Is anyone injured?
Eslinger: No sir.
S3: OK then. Go ahead and process the detainee through and get back to your troops.
SSG Schmetlap is one of Eslinger's squad leaders who has been watching...
Schetlap: Sir! LT's just being modest. No one was injured because LT jumped in front of the troops, picked it up and threw it back at him.
S3: Wait... the grenade didn't go off?
Eslinger: Not immediately, no.
Schmetlap: Dumbass never cooked it off.
S3: and then you threw the live grenade back at a SINGLE guy? in town?
Schmetlap: Absolutely. Scared the shit out of the dude. Slowed him down enough while he was fleeing for LT to flag his ass down. He almost got away and back to his buddies, but not with LT on the case!
S3: So you ran down a single attacker who was fleeing in a classic baited ambush?
Eslinger: Ummm... yes? SIR?
S3: I see.

MoH for that???

ARCOM. At best.

It was Platoon vs. ONE GUY. No one was jnjured, no one fought bravely through critical wounds, no one faced overwhelming odds, no one was outgunned, no one was surrounded, cut off, or left for dead.

Also, the citation is fluffed. That alone is worthy of downgrade. You can't jump on a grenade whilst also throwing it back. The only way you can cover a grenade AND throw it back is if it doesn't go off. One of three things happened: 1) He didn't actually jump on the grenade (in which case why is it in the citation?); 2) the grenade was a dud (in which case, why throw it back?); or 3) dumbass forgot to pull the pin (in which case, why use the grenade when rifle fire is more accurate and more discriminate, plus the grenade can be saved as evidence?).

Yes, I applaud Eslinger's instinctual bravery in protecting his Soldiers. It is worthy of award. But not MoH.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2022 9:44 AM

2022-11-15T09:44:14-05:00

We could sit here and argue/discuss all day long the merits of this LT, however, the devil is in the details of the actions and write up....not to mention the perception/though process of the approving chain. Of the 5 MOH involving grenades (post-Vietnam), 3 were killed and two were severely injured...to include loss of limb or eyesight. I'm certainly not knocking the titanium set this LT has, but the historical data is against him.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 15 at 2022 10:25 AM

2022-11-15T10:25:39-05:00

Yes this hero deserves the MOH. Keep in mind that hero’s are often awarded a lesser medal while the politics settle, and then upgrading to the MOH.

I have long said we should be careful with the word hero as opposed to warrior, he is a Hero among men. All who fight are Warriors.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Nov 15 at 2022 3:49 PM

2022-11-15T15:49:53-05:00

I agree with an upgrade to the MOH. The fact that the grenade failed to explode is immaterial. It was intended to explode, and simply malfunctioned. I was confronted by a person who tried to kill me with a semi-automatic pistol. She pulled the trigger three times, but the weapon failed to fire. The weapon functioned perfectly, but she had failed to Jack the slide to load a round into the firing chamber

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2022 7:37 PM

2022-11-15T19:37:14-05:00

Yes...

Response by CPO Nate S. made Nov 16 at 2022 10:10 AM

2022-11-16T10:10:06-05:00

When I was a young Navy Hospital Corpsmen attending Class "A" (i.e., basic) Corpsman School at Balboa NH in San Diego in the 1977 after my first sea duty tour, I walked along the passageway where all of Navy Corpsman who had received the CMoH citations were displayed. I would try to read one a day. I read each of them more than once. Now, thanks to the internet I have had the honor of reading the citations of medics in the US Army. One citation, which was made into a movie (Hacksaw Ridge) is about Private Edmond Doss, an Army Medic, regarding his service on Okinawa during WWII was striking, all while being a conscientious objector, but still wanting to serve his country - to SAVE LIFE!!! I cannot tell you how many times I have read and re-read his citation!

I often wondered if placed in their situations if I'd be able to measure up. During my career I was not tested in those ways. Tested in other ways, sure and I measured up! I have some recognition for those efforts! But none of us knows how we will respond when faced with the potential for the -"ultimate sacrifice" in the moment!

I will take a moment to say that the Navy Hospital Corpsman is the most highly decorated rate in the U.S. Navy, to date being the collective recipients of 23 Medals of Honor, 199+ Navy Crosses and 984+ Silver Stars. Over 50 Army medics have received the Medal of Honor for their valor in combat (fearlessness under fire another shared trait).

All I can say is that if the grenade went off immediately or was delayed the act was one of self-sacrifice - INTENDED - for the greater good, which are his - TROOPS and the overall mission!!!

Can we ask any more of our young leaders (Officer or Enlisted) than this willingness to leave it all on the field of battle, even though some in our nation will NEVER understand this kind of thinking or selfless action! How can we ask more than to train someone to be willing to give their life of their own free will and accord for another? We cannot!!!

WADR - CSM Chuck Stafford I respectfully disagree with your assessment that just because someone's actions did not result in their death or injury they should not be considered for our nation's highest award. By this standard all our LIVING Medal of Honor recipients should have been dead to be eligible! Audie Murphy, one of nation's most decorated WWII veterans would not live up this standard of death then a medal!

Also, MSG Private RallyPoint Member I very much appreciate and respect your perspective! Yes! History may be against him, and the devil is in the details of the write-up, yet would it hurt for a formal review to consider the upgrade?

Also thank you for sharing regarding Rafael Peralta. It is interesting that I had been in the navy for 3 years when he was born. It is nice that the US Navy commissioned an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) for his heroism. (https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/people/namesakes/rafael-peralta.html). He too could be considered for an upgrade! Besides this class ship will have a service life of 35 to 45-yrs. according to Navy Sea Systems Command. So, lots of sailors and some Marines will learn of his heroism under fire! And that is NOT a bad thing!

Finally, I have read the citations from the War on Terror MoH / Post-Vietnam MoH recipients {(https://mohmuseum.org/war-on-terror-medal-of-honor-recipients/) or (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_post-Vietnam_War_Medal_of_Honor_recipients)} they each have a common theme as you read their citations.

Just sharing perspective.....................Lt Col Charlie Brown, SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA, COL Randall C.

rafael-peralta.html).

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Nov 17 at 2022 10:33 AM

2022-11-17T10:33:32-05:00

It appears that the kinder, gentler military looks at awards with a broader spectrum today than they did a few years ago. Did the event meet the present criteria for the Medal of Honor? Submit the request and see. Remember to get political [Senator or Representative support] along with military backing.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2022 2:04 PM

2022-11-17T14:04:13-05:00

Since it was upgraded from a Silver Star to DSC I believe it’s an appropriate award. Could someone argue it should be upgraded further, I suppose. But in the end the award does now fit the bravery of this outstanding example of a warrior.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Nov 22 at 2022 11:43 PM

2022-11-22T23:43:50-05:00

Yes

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Jan 17 at 2023 5:03 PM

2023-01-17T17:03:23-05:00

Thank you for sharing.