Will the Sailors on the USS Fitzgerald be eligible for combat awards? Specifically, will FC1 Rehm be eligible for the MoH?

I think he should be granted his retirement, nevertheless he should get the highest award under the cituation on hand moreover after the collision general quarters was in place giving the person conducting the investigation for the MOH or Navy Cross the ability to write the citation on such a away to determine than under the circumstances he should be consider to the highest award possible, he put his personal safety in harm to allowed others to escape

Prior to WWII, the MoH could be awarded for heroism not involving combat with the enemy. The requirements changed for the MoH have changed and therefore FC1 Rehm is not eligible.

No. But they should get other awards. Bronze Star is off the table too (Requires combat as well) Could get Navy Marine Corps Medals or even Silver Stars...At least the sailor who kept going back down to try to rescue as many as he could before perishing himself should get at least the Silver Star or NMCM.

Not declared as combat so my guess would be maybe Navy and Marine Corps Medal. If the reports are accurate he sacrificed his life to save others. If they later declare it as an attack, things could change. It got kinda weird when the Federal Bldg was blown up in Oklahoma City as well. There were some active duty Marines in the Recruiting Station that were injured. A SSgt was later assigned to Platoon I was in charge of at Camp Lejeune. I wrote the civilian at Awards Branch at HQMC to inquire about the "all enemies foreign and domestic" re: PH Medal and was told at that time it did not apply. That, like this was a political hot potato and I don't know if it ever changed. No doubt this guy and others were heroic in their actions to save crew and ship, but ship always takes precedence. Mission first, men second. As to any higher award, even if it was intentional there are no guarantees when it comes to politics. For now it simply doesn't meet the "legal" standard even though it meets or exceeds any "moral" standard for recognition. MOH, NC, doesn't matter because it's just an exercise in speculation as long as it doesn't meet the legal standard. Paper changes paper though, but I'd be surprised if anyone opens that jar.

It wasn't combat so why would they rate combat awards? FC1 Rehm is eligible for the Navy and Marine Corps Medal which is the highest award for non-combat actions, if the stories about what he did are true and verifiable. This is the same medal President Kennedy received for his actions saving the sailors of his PT Boat during WWII.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal for non combat heroism, but he could get MOH as law was changed because of law was changed because of Navy. Yes MOH can be awarded for above and beyond heroism, for non combat.

Sailors Medal. But no combat, no combat medals.

After several years of awarding Purple Hearts for injuries suffered in traffic accidents while serving in Iraq and Ass-ghanistan or being in a gym at the wrong time in Texas, nothing would surprise me anymore. The DoD now passes medals and ribbons out like candy. It's simply disgusting.

No. There is nothing about the situation that qualifies the sailor for a MoH. However, there are noncombat medals for heroism that do apply. The navy has the navy and marine corps medal for heroism that does in fact apply. Similar to the army's soldier medal, it is similar to many valor awards, but specific to situations that involved no combat.