Should we be awarded the Afghan Freedom Medal?

Yes we should there are other conflicts where the Foreign countries award medals to American servicemen for there help. I agree with several of the other comments about you have to be a certain rank to be awarded a medal. That is incorrect. What I have seen is when you are real buddies with the command you will get a higher award. And I have seen officers and higher ranking NCO's who never left the wire get the BSM and higher. My thought was for what answering the radio or manning your computer.

From what the rumors I hear is that we did not accept it as we were not asked to liberate the country as we were in other cases (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) that gave us medals. Not sure if that is the real reason or not.

The medal is an oxymoron, there is no freedom in Afghanistan.

My three Viet Nam medals came from the RVN, not the USA. I should think the medal falls into the same category.

Maybe those that are Vets can apply through the Afghan embassy and say they’d like to have it. If Afghanistan awards it privately at least the Vets would have it.

these medals could end up like the Cold War commitment medal, unofficial and not permanent recording.

If the Goverment of Afganistan created it and offered it to our service members who served to refuse it would be an insult. We never rejected the national awards from Germany, France, Kuwait, why would we do so to Afghanistan? They need to recognize and authorize it.

Yes, absolutely. The time and sacrifice is being recognized by those whom were beneficiary to our service. It is disrespectful and an insult to not accept it. This is my opinion.

I cannot speak about the Afghan Freedom Medal, but there are a number of ribbons and medals that were awarded to American combatants during the Vietnam War, but for whatever reason, we were never allowed to wear them on active duty. While as Ships Company, on the Enterprise, part of my duty gave me a knowledge, that was needed at Da Nang. I and 4 other people were flown off in the C1. After helping in Country, the 5 of us were given the RVN Naval Service Medal Honor Grade. The Navy in their infinite wisdom said we could not wear it. I recently bought a full sized medal off Ebay for $75.00 for my Shadow Box. My original was a bit ratty.

So there are a of of medals that Countries have awarded American Military that the US refuses to allow American GI's to wear. I would be happy if Active Duty could wear the Cold War Victory Medal, at least those who deserve it. I wear it in my miniature medals when I wear full dress, or in Legion uniform and that includes my RVN Naval Service Medal.

I think we should be awarded the medal if you served during OEF and not any follow on operations. Should it be authorized for wear? Sure, they awarded those who served in the Gulf War a couple of foreign awards to wear on their uniform. Do we need it? Of course not. We all know what we did and we already have campaign ribbons and awards that signify what we did. I see these types of awards as participation trophies and rack builders. They sure do make the uniform look pretty.....