What medals should our military heroes receive for their actions in France? Will we act as quickly as the French in acknowledging them?

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 22:33:38 -0400

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/train-staff-locked-americans-subdued-gunman-article-1.2334132

American who charged France train gunman saved wounded man

The selfless American who charged a gunman onboard a train in France saved another passenger before attending to his own injuries.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Aug 24 at 2015 11:01 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 23:01:28 -0400

I say the Aimens Medal for the Aimens and the Soldiers Medal for the Guardsmen at a minimum. I would also say a meritorious advancement because if this does not prove they are ready for the next pay grade then I don't know what would.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 24 at 2015 11:35 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 23:35:39 -0400

Soldiers Medal, is the right award for them.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Aug 25 at 2015 1:02 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 01:02:49 -0400

Whatever the Air Force equivalent of the Soldier's Medal for the Aim High hero and a Soldiers Medal for the NG Soldier.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 4:51 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 04:51:14 -0400

On 9/11, the Army awarded 23 Soldier's Medals for the attack on the Pentagon. The precedence has already been set. Nothing else is warranted. A little known fact is the Soldier's Medal or sister service equivalent can qualify the recipient for a monthly stipend close to what a Medal of Honor recipient qualifies for if the award was granted for exceptional bravery in a non-combat scenario.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 25 at 2015 5:11 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 05:11:18 -0400

SSgt Alex Robinson They should get the Soldier's or Airman's Medal.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 5:46 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 05:46:32 -0400

It will probably be a few months, but it should be coming.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 25 at 2015 6:31 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 06:31:55 -0400

Hopefully it will be announced today.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 25 at 2015 6:36 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 06:36:21 -0400

Aren't you not supposed to recieve two awards for the same action?

Response by SGT William Howell made Aug 25 at 2015 7:57 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 07:57:45 -0400

Since he is in the Army and below and E-7 he will get a coin and a hardy handshake.

Response by SGT William Howell made Aug 25 at 2015 7:58 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 07:58:01 -0400

Since he is in the Army and below and E-7 he will get a coin and a hardy handshake.

Response by SrA Zack Weber made Aug 25 at 2015 2:13 PM

SrA Zack Weber — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:13:19 -0400

We already failed at acknowledging, as both have already been awarded the Legion of Honor by France, which is their highest decoration. Reports that A1C Stone has been submitted for the Airman's Medal.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Aug 27 at 2015 12:23 AM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 00:23:00 -0400

I am happy that they decided to give it to him. He deserves it. I can't say about helping his career but it never hurts to be a hero.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 27 at 2015 12:34 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 00:34:18 -0400

TSgt Hunter Logan I too am thankful that the Army has decided to award he Soldier's Medal to Oregon National Guardsman SPC Alek Skarlatos for extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
It is good to see positive news about military members these days.

Response by SFC Joseph James made Aug 27 at 2015 1:04 AM

SFC Joseph James — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 01:04:44 -0400

Not too much. It's a very rare award and it will look good on his records and uniform, but being National Guard it will still be a pain for find positions to get promoted. I was Active my whole time, but I have family that says promotions in the NG is ridiculous!

Response by TSgt David Brown made Aug 27 at 2015 3:11 PM

TSgt David Brown — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 15:11:18 -0400

A STEP promotion and Airmands medal at the least.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 28 at 2015 12:21 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:21:26 -0400

They an attack by our enemy. They deserve something for the military.

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Aug 28 at 2015 12:24 PM

SSG Ricardo Marcial — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:24:14 -0400

I believe the National Guard has awarded the Soldier's Medal to Spc. Alek Skarlatos.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 28 at 2015 12:27 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:27:02 -0400

Yes those who demonstrate heroism in the face of danger should be eligible for the Soldiers Medal or equivalent medal from the other military services whether the heroism takes place in the USA or somewhere else.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 28 at 2015 1:16 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:16:31 -0400

This is one of the many problems that comes with declaring war on an ideal. We can all agree that what these men did was brave. We can all agree it was heroic. I am still amazed by the Airman who put his thumb in the neck wound of Mark Moggilian. I know he had the training for it, but I don't imagine he expected when he got on the train that he was going to use that training. Should they be honored for their bravery? Absolutely. How do we do it? That is the more difficult question to answer. They are military, but were not on duty. They engaged a terrorist, but not on American held territory. I can understand the French presenting them with their highest honor. They did a great service to that nation, and deserve all the praise that is being received from the French. None of this applies to American Service Men off duty in a foreign nation. The truth is I have never heard of a situation like this happening before, where off duty service members thwarted a terrorist attack. We are in new territory. The best I can come up with is a silver star for bravery.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 28 at 2015 2:12 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:12:01 -0400

But I'm not sure what would apply.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Aug 28 at 2015 8:36 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 20:36:28 -0400

President Obama has declared War on ISIS. Therefore these two military men should be treated accordingly. They in fact took on an heavily armed combatant while being unarmed themselves. Subdued him and saved the lives of countless people on the train. One while receiving combat wounds himself. Remembering that the French President awarded them the highest military award for the French government.

In my humble opinion, I feel that they should be awarded appropriately. I would at the very least present a Bronze Star with a Combat V, or a Silver Star. Again they were unarmed and the enemy was heavily armed. I would also award a Purple Heart to A1C Stone for wounds received in combat. If the Air Force or the National Guard have an equivalent to a Combat Action Ribbon.

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Aug 29 at 2015 10:19 AM

LTC Ed Ross — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 10:19:41 -0400

Under normal circumstances I would agree that the soldier's and airman's medals would be appropriate. In this case, however, if we are at war with jihadist terrorists, I think higher medals should be considered. They didn't just save lives, the defeated a hostile force in close combat. A Bronze Star with V or even a Silver Star should be considered.