Posted on Jun 22, 2017
Will the Sailors on the USS Fitzgerald be eligible for combat awards? Specifically, will FC1 Rehm be eligible for the MoH?
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So on several online forums, I've asserted my opinion that FC1 Rehm, who continued saving Sailors until he knew the ship would sink if they didn't close the watertight hatch (and then DID close it, thereby saving the ship but sacrificing himself and 6 others) should be eligible for the MoH for his actions, if they bear out as reported so far. Someone on another forum said something to the effect that he'll get some sort of medal for sure, but not a combat medal. So that's my question. Does the situation on the Fitz rise to the level of combat? I don't think you'll find any Sailor who says it doesn't. Opinions are welcome, but I'm hoping for a definitive answer. Note: if it's determined that the Crystal deliberately rammed the Fitz, this question becomes moot entirely.
Valor
Combat
Awards
Medals
Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 32
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At most he/they will receive the Navy and Marine Corps medal or SS...under no circumstance will they receive the MoH or NC.
That said, those who have never served at sea really don't understand the fact that the Navy is unique in that their "enemy" at all times is the ocean they sail on/under. By far, the greatest number of casualties at sea during war time are attributed directly to either not being able to maintain watertight integrity and sinking or not being able to extinguish a conflagration at sea. Not many sailors are killed due to direct combat engagement with any enemy...but Davy Jones is ALWAYS awaiting another victim for his locker. Unlike almost every other branch, the Navy fights it's greatest enemy even in peace time.
That said, those who have never served at sea really don't understand the fact that the Navy is unique in that their "enemy" at all times is the ocean they sail on/under. By far, the greatest number of casualties at sea during war time are attributed directly to either not being able to maintain watertight integrity and sinking or not being able to extinguish a conflagration at sea. Not many sailors are killed due to direct combat engagement with any enemy...but Davy Jones is ALWAYS awaiting another victim for his locker. Unlike almost every other branch, the Navy fights it's greatest enemy even in peace time.
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Due to the incident happening outside of a designated combat zone and (as far ad i know) not taking part in combat operations at the time, i believe he would be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal...highest non-combat award available for heroism.
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This just showed up on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/22/politics/uss-fitzgerald-investigation-update/index.html
The official also noted the Navy is trying to corroborate accounts which suggest that the two sailors who weren't almost instantly "incapacitated" attempted to help the other five escape the incoming water.
The official also noted the Navy is trying to corroborate accounts which suggest that the two sailors who weren't almost instantly "incapacitated" attempted to help the other five escape the incoming water.
New details emerge in USS Fitzgerald collision
Five of the seven Navy sailors who died aboard the USS Fitzgerald when it collided off the east coast of Japan may have been almost instantly "incapacitated."
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SN Greg Wright Here is an update on what will be a long investigation.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/22/politics/uss-fitzgerald-investigation-update/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/22/politics/uss-fitzgerald-investigation-update/index.html
New details emerge in USS Fitzgerald collision
Five of the seven Navy sailors who died aboard the USS Fitzgerald when it collided off the east coast of Japan may have been almost instantly "incapacitated."
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LtCol George Carlson
The investigation will be "interesting" and probably damning of several careers. I understand the complexities of crowded waterways, but my understanding (which may be flawed) of the acceleration/deceleration and maneuverability of the USS Fitzgerald makes me really wonder how on God's green earth (or dark blue sea) it could be hit broadside by a merchant vessel that was apparently on a consistent course ... but that, after all, is the central question.
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I found the data I was looking for. This guy got the Medal Of Honor in peacetime. So it can be done.
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2476/badders-william.php
Turns out that there have been several peacetime Medal Of Honor receipients including this guy as well...
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2477/bennett-floyd.php
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2476/badders-william.php
Turns out that there have been several peacetime Medal Of Honor receipients including this guy as well...
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2477/bennett-floyd.php
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PO3 Donald Murphy
In fact, I show about 20 or so, all awarded for saving one or two people from drowning. And all given in peacetime too...
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
All before the 1963 change in the law that required it to be in combat, the law before that was much less restrictive. You also used to be able to be awarded more than one MOH.
I think both of those changes were bad ideas myself.
10 US code 3741"
The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who while a member of the Army, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty—
(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 215; Pub. L. 88–77, § 1(1), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93.)
I think both of those changes were bad ideas myself.
10 US code 3741"
The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who while a member of the Army, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty—
(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 215; Pub. L. 88–77, § 1(1), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93.)
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I do not have my references handy at the moment, but - correct me if I'm wrong - wasn't a diver given the medal of honor for saving lives during a peacetime submarine sinking in the 30's?
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SSG Carlos Madden
I think the criteria was changed sometime after WWII so that it had to be in conflict with the enemy. Then they created the Solider's, Navy & Marine Corps, and Airman Medals (1963?) to recognize heroism which did not involve enemy contact. So it was possible once, but not any longer.
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SN Greg Wright
In truth, unless you have access to information the rest of us do not have, there is still way to many unanswered questions to actually even begin honestly answer this question.
My personal opinion, that with the facts we do have, this would not reach the level of Medal of Honor but would deserve something way above Navy Commendation Medal?
In truth, unless you have access to information the rest of us do not have, there is still way to many unanswered questions to actually even begin honestly answer this question.
My personal opinion, that with the facts we do have, this would not reach the level of Medal of Honor but would deserve something way above Navy Commendation Medal?
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SN Greg Wright
I don't have any facts that haven't been reported, and agree completely that so much more needs to be known. The only advantage I have over most non-Sailors is that reading the track of the Crystal tells me that it's absolutely vital to discover whether or not the impact took place before or after they pulled that u-turn. And there is still discrepancy about that.
I think you meant 'this would not reach..'?
I think you meant 'this would not reach..'?
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Unless the pilot of the Philippine-flagged ACX Crystal container ship turns out to have been influenced by Islamic radicals in the Philippines which would make the collision a terrorist attack, I don't think the Sailors on the USS Fitzgerald be eligible for combat awards. I do expect that those who risked their lives to save others on board the USS Fitzgerald, especially Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., should be eligible and hopefully will be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal SN Greg Wright even though in his case it will be posthumous.
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SN Wright, Sir; First; thank you for your service.. Now, Sir, Remember its the NAVY !! they will probably Ignore the issue... We have Navy Veterans Awarded with Cancer, Heart Disease, Respiratory problems, Nervous system issues, PTSD .. Even aneurysms.. ignored and denied help ... its the NAVY, and not considered to be involved in any military operations... we are just out boating.. and having parties... weekend fun on the water....
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The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the United States Department of the Navy to the members of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The medal was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942, and is authorized under 10 U.S.C. § 6246
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