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What this young man did was heroic. Not questioning that. But the Purple Heart and BSM? I have a few questions about that.
1. Can cadets even be awarded military awards?
2. The PH has to be for actions against an enemy to our nation. Not sure that this shooter was that.
3. The BSM only applies to combat.
Thoughts?
1. Can cadets even be awarded military awards?
2. The PH has to be for actions against an enemy to our nation. Not sure that this shooter was that.
3. The BSM only applies to combat.
Thoughts?
ar-AAC2vvl
Posted from msn.com
Purple Heart
Awards
ROTC
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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This doesn't line up with other news reports. The Army awarded him a cadet decoration for heroism and made no mention of a Purple Heart. In the article you linked, it mentioned the Police Department presented these decorations. Why would the PD present the Army decorations to the family? That makes zero sense. Apparently it hit a local outlet and without fact checking, blurted it right back out on Fox, MSN, and CNN.
Reading the Twitter From the PD:
"Chief Hollingsed, Sheriff Christopher, and Officers at the Waynesville Police Department were honored to present the family of Riley Howell with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star from Thomas Matteo. “Stormy” Matteo is the President of the Purple Heart Society and is the recipient of six Purple Heart medals awarded during action with the Marines in Vietnam. During a “FaceTime” call at the Police Department, Mr. Matteo spoke to the parents and siblings of Riley and commended Riley’s actions as a true hero."
These were given to the Family by Thomas Matteo in a shadow box. I'm skimming 600-8-22, but not finding his authority to hand these out. I'm guessing that these are his personal decorations.
Here is the Army press release that describes the cadet decoration he was awarded. https://www.army.mil/article/222023/unc_charlotte_student_awarded_rotc_medal_of_heroism
Cadets can and have been awarded military decorations. the West Point Cadet who was in the the Kenya Embassy bombings received the Soldier's Medal for her efforts in retrieving trapped people and rendering aid. It is usually tied to active duty somehow, like CTLT. I've been present when cadets are awarded AAMs and ARCOMs for noteworthy achievements such as top PT score in the command etc. it is rare but happens.
Para 2-8 AR 600-8-22 has two points here regarding the PH. Terror attacks are eligible, but must be proven to be foreign borne international terrorist or somehow directed/supported by them. This has to be accompanied with an official Intel corroboration. Second, civilians are eligible for an equivalent medal, last part of the paragraph.
Reading the Twitter From the PD:
"Chief Hollingsed, Sheriff Christopher, and Officers at the Waynesville Police Department were honored to present the family of Riley Howell with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star from Thomas Matteo. “Stormy” Matteo is the President of the Purple Heart Society and is the recipient of six Purple Heart medals awarded during action with the Marines in Vietnam. During a “FaceTime” call at the Police Department, Mr. Matteo spoke to the parents and siblings of Riley and commended Riley’s actions as a true hero."
These were given to the Family by Thomas Matteo in a shadow box. I'm skimming 600-8-22, but not finding his authority to hand these out. I'm guessing that these are his personal decorations.
Here is the Army press release that describes the cadet decoration he was awarded. https://www.army.mil/article/222023/unc_charlotte_student_awarded_rotc_medal_of_heroism
Cadets can and have been awarded military decorations. the West Point Cadet who was in the the Kenya Embassy bombings received the Soldier's Medal for her efforts in retrieving trapped people and rendering aid. It is usually tied to active duty somehow, like CTLT. I've been present when cadets are awarded AAMs and ARCOMs for noteworthy achievements such as top PT score in the command etc. it is rare but happens.
Para 2-8 AR 600-8-22 has two points here regarding the PH. Terror attacks are eligible, but must be proven to be foreign borne international terrorist or somehow directed/supported by them. This has to be accompanied with an official Intel corroboration. Second, civilians are eligible for an equivalent medal, last part of the paragraph.
UNC Charlotte student awarded ROTC Medal of Heroism
The ROTC Medal of Heroism was posthumously awarded to the family of Riley Howell during a private ceremony held at the University of North Carolina Charlotte May 11 in recognition of his actions when a gunman opened fire on students at the school Apr...
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LTC Jason Mackay
There was no Army Press release on this event. The only press release from the Army was for the award of the Cadet decoration.
I would think the PH and the fourth highest award for valor would get a press release if the Army awarded it. It would absolutely have to come from DA level. The Cadet Command doesn't even have authority to award a Soldiers Medal. Two star approval is only for in theater units, it would have to come from DA. I am sure the PAO is refraining from commenting on this to avoid hurting the family.
I would think the PH and the fourth highest award for valor would get a press release if the Army awarded it. It would absolutely have to come from DA level. The Cadet Command doesn't even have authority to award a Soldiers Medal. Two star approval is only for in theater units, it would have to come from DA. I am sure the PAO is refraining from commenting on this to avoid hurting the family.
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MAJ (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay Thank you sir. That makes sense. I noticed the part about the police department awarding it and thought that was strange to say the least.
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COL Jon Thompson
The only way this makes sense is if someone gave their own awards in an act of honor which it seems like this is. Even if he was eligible for regular Army awards, what he did does not meet the criteria for either the PH or BSM.
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He was not even a contracted cadet, so really ROTC was just another class to him like English or math for us. Young man is a hero just like many more everyday we do not hear about and are not eligible for military awards.
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Cadets cannot receive military awards as far I as I am aware, unless they enter into the SMP program. Then, if they do get put in for an award it is through their SMP unit and it's chain of command. Otherwise, Cadet Command actually has a slew of specific "cadet only" ribbons that cadets are "awarded" for certain achievements. But, they mean little to nothing in the regular Army. Stuff like, being an Athlete, completing first semester of ROTC, etc. I believe there was another post discussing this recently...
This one:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/several-of-the-rotc-cadets-my-unit-hosted-have-performed-above-and-beyond-can-i-award-my-rotc-smp-cadets-army-citations-like-enlisted
This one:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/several-of-the-rotc-cadets-my-unit-hosted-have-performed-above-and-beyond-can-i-award-my-rotc-smp-cadets-army-citations-like-enlisted
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LTC Jason Mackay
1LT (Join to see)
From AR600-8-22 Military Awards Section II definitions:
"Active Federal military service
Includes all periods of active duty, AGR service and, except for service creditable for the AFRM, excludes periods of ADT and full-time training duty. Service as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy is considered to be active duty for the purposes of military awards and decorations."
However, you need to look at the criteria for each decoration. As an example, for the soldier's medal:
"3–14. Soldier’s Medal
a. The SM was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926, as amended by 10 USC 3750.
b. The SM is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, including RC Soldiers not serving in a duty status, as defined in 10 USC 101(d), at the time of the heroic act, who distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as that of the award of the DFC. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.
c. A SM recommendation that is downgraded will be approved as an ARCOM."
More follows....
From AR600-8-22 Military Awards Section II definitions:
"Active Federal military service
Includes all periods of active duty, AGR service and, except for service creditable for the AFRM, excludes periods of ADT and full-time training duty. Service as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy is considered to be active duty for the purposes of military awards and decorations."
However, you need to look at the criteria for each decoration. As an example, for the soldier's medal:
"3–14. Soldier’s Medal
a. The SM was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926, as amended by 10 USC 3750.
b. The SM is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, including RC Soldiers not serving in a duty status, as defined in 10 USC 101(d), at the time of the heroic act, who distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as that of the award of the DFC. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.
c. A SM recommendation that is downgraded will be approved as an ARCOM."
More follows....
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