Beau Biden-Military Decorations and Stay at Walter Reed

2015-09-17T11:38:04-04:00

I am wondering how the VP's son managed to get into Walter Reed while not on active duty and how he ended up with the Bronze Star let alone the Legion of Merit upon his death?
For the final few years of his life, Biden suffered from brain cancer. On May 20, 2015, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, because of a recurrence of brain cancer; he died there 10 days later. I empathize his death and applaud his service but...
Biden joined the military in 2003 as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard and was a Major in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps as part of the 261st Signal Brigade in Smyrna, Delaware.
Biden received a visit at Camp Victory from his father on July 4, 2009. Biden returned from Iraq in September 2009, his yearlong stint on active duty complete. Biden had announced that during his deployment he would continue to actively serve as Delaware's Attorney General by working in conjunction with his office's senior staff in Delaware. During his year of service in Iraq, Beau returned home only once — to see his father take the oath of office for vice president.
Beau received the Bronze Star for his service, a military medal that celebrates “heroic or meritorious achievement.” The act justifying award of the medal must be performed while fighting an enemy of the United States, or while involved in conflict with an opposing/foreign force. It can also be awarded for heroism while serving with friendly forces engaged in combat against an opposing military in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Bronze star is supposed to be for heroism - not for just showing up and he was a lawyer.
Army Chief of Staff Raymond Odierno presented Beau Biden with the Legion of Merit for his service in the Delaware National Guard. Odierno, Beau Biden’s commanding general in Iraq, also lauded his comrade’s military service overseas. The general presented Beau Biden with the Legion of Merit for his service in the Delaware National Guard. The award honors exceptional merit in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

In Memory of Beau Biden: "Quite Simply, The Finest Man Any Of Us Have Ever Known"

On Saturday, May 30, our country lost a dedicated public servant – a fighter for justice on the frontlines of war and in the courts here at home. A committed son, father, and husband, Beau Biden put his family first. His was a life we all strive to lead.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 17 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-09-17T11:40:51-04:00

The privileges that most of us will never experience!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-09-17T11:42:26-04:00

He actually deployed to Iraq so I'm not sure what you mean?

He wasn't "active duty regular Army" but he was activated and deployed in the Iraq war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Biden

"Biden joined the military in 2003[8] as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard and was a Major in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps as part of the 261st Signal Brigade in Smyrna, Delaware.[9][10]

Biden's unit was activated to deploy to Iraq on October 3, 2008, and sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, for pre-deployment training,[11] the day after his father participated in the 2008 presidential campaign's only vice presidential debate. His father was on the record as saying, "I don't want him going. But I tell you what, I don't want my grandson or my granddaughters going back in 15 years, and so how we leave makes a big difference."[12]

Biden traveled to Washington, D.C., from Iraq in January 2009 for the presidential inauguration and his father's swearing-in as Vice President,[13] then returned to Iraq.[14] Biden received a visit at Camp Victory from his father on July 4, 2009.[15] Biden returned from Iraq in September 2009, his yearlong stint on active duty complete.[16] Biden had announced that during his deployment he would continue to actively serve as Delaware's Attorney General by working in conjunction with his office's senior staff in Delaware,[17] although a member of his unit related Biden saying he had turned over most of his attorney general work to his deputy so as to focus on his duties in Iraq."

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 17 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-09-17T11:46:04-04:00

Walter Reed/Bethesda has been the Hospital for Senior Members of the Government and their Families as long as I can remember. Even retired senior members of Government.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 12:06 PM

2015-09-17T12:06:08-04:00

The unfortunate "truth", at least as I saw it around the 2006-2009 period, is that some awards are becoming tied to rank/duty station...rather than being evaluated as truly "individual" awards. The debate over the Bronze Star is well known...I will add that I actively opposed being recommended for it until a senior NCO convinced me I was making a tempest in a tea-cup for nothing. I was proud to end up with the MSM instead.

Being the son of the VP has likely always had it's perks (Though let's not forget that one former President's son went to great lengths to lead his men into battle at Normandy). I will say that though I'm not the biggest supporter of his father's party, or "boss"...what very little I've read about Major Biden indicates he was a good apple overall. It's sad his less fortunate comrades may not enjoy the same level of care or support...but I don't think it's unexpected or likely to change in our lifetime.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Sep 17 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-09-17T12:10:19-04:00

I'm not entirely sure what you see wrong here. The son of a Senator, who is himself a senior official in Delaware, deploys to Iraq when he very well could have gotten out of it. He even got permission to change his name tape so no one would know who he was. He received a Bronze Star (Which is NOT a valor award unless it has a V, which his does not) for going and an LoM upon his death, which is not an unusual PCS/Retirement award for senior enlisted/officers from what I've seen.

He had ample opportunity to not serve his country and chose to. He deserved them both.

Are you asking this because you question his service or because you don't like his dad?

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Sep 17 at 2015 12:34 PM

2015-09-17T12:34:43-04:00

The well known privledges of being a "Fortunate Son". To use the immortal words of John Fogerty, "Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand Lord, don't they help themselves, y'all"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-09-17T12:35:27-04:00

I have been wrestling with this issue for the past couple of weeks and I appreciate all the comments.
Nothing against Beau Biden but I found the White House post a little over the top when it comes to his military service.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 17 at 2015 1:47 PM

2015-09-17T13:47:13-04:00

He was a rare bird. A son of a powerful politician actually serving his country. Son of the Vice President. Does not bother me a bit.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 17 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-09-17T14:09:38-04:00

I don't really have any problem with any of this. Since he is the son of the VP I can see the need for security and a military hospital is the best place for that. Since neither of the two medals actually mean anything what is the big deal about him getting them? It is not like he got a Medal of Honor or a DSC and maybe all of this made his family feel a little better.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 25 at 2015 5:18 PM

2015-10-25T17:18:04-04:00

That is interesting CPT Private RallyPoint Member. I was operated on in Walter Reed Army Medical Center while I was mobilized in 2003. At that time there was a floor in Walter Reed Army Medical Center dedicated to VIPs such as congressmen and the President.
In 1990 I was jogging in my Army PT uniform and entered the Bethesda Naval Hospital campus just as barbara Bush was being flown in via helicopter for an appointment. The secret service instantly stopped me until the First Lady was inside the building.
Based on my knowledge and experience with surgery and treatment at Walter Reed, I understand why the son of the Vice President of the United States was treated in Walter Reed even if he was not currently on active duty.
The Bronze star can be awarded for valor or meritorious service in an area of operations. The Legion of Merit is based on the previous 10 years of service if I remember correctly and is awarded when somebody with sufficient rank signs the request for orders for award. I don't have any idea what Beau Biden accomplished in his military career. However, I would expect that being the son of the sitting VPOTUS may have something to do with his awards. That is not to say they were pressured by the administration or congress to sign the orders for the awards.

Response by 1stSgt Gregory Weir made Sep 4 at 2020 2:19 PM

2020-09-04T14:19:29-04:00

As a multiple-tour combat veteran to the Middle East as a US Marine, I too would like to know EXACTLY 'what' Maj Biden did to deserve the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. If there's any MOS that is far-removed from combat it's the JAG corps. So, this begs the question; WHAT did he (Biden) do, and how did he manage to earn both of these? Was it because his dad was VP, and further his own (Beau's) political aspirations?

Response by Sgt Katie Casey made Sep 6 at 2020 3:39 PM

2020-09-06T15:39:12-04:00

By this metric I am eligible for a Bronze Star as a services sq airman in Desert Storm. SMDH!

Response by SFC Mark Wiggins made Sep 20 at 2020 12:47 PM

2020-09-20T12:47:08-04:00

I don't begrudge anybody who served. However in my opinion he joined to further his political career. I have seen too many people receive awards simply for showing up.

Response by Ron Wilson made Sep 29 at 2020 10:26 PM

2020-09-29T22:26:25-04:00

I'm not politically involved or in the military but the fact that the man volunteered and served overseas says a lot about his character

Response by John Wellcome made Sep 30 at 2020 3:40 PM

2020-09-30T15:40:45-04:00

He got those medals because of his dads status. He was a fucking JAG. He didn’t see combat He just showed up. There are thousands who gave their lives and are buried in Arlington that never got medals. He’s a fraud and so is his Fucking Idiot Dad. Vote for him and watch what happens to this great country...

Response by Ryan Callahan made Oct 7 at 2020 10:40 AM

2020-10-07T10:40:13-04:00

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Response by Sgt Ralph Crosby made Nov 13 at 2020 12:26 PM

2020-11-13T12:26:41-05:00

I wish the media would tell this story. I am sure the sitting Vice President was involved in the awards given to Beau Biden.

Response by Sgt Ralph Crosby made Nov 13 at 2020 10:46 PM

2020-11-13T22:46:08-05:00

This has disturbed me along time. An attorney receiving the Bronze Star with or without a V. I am sure some politicians were involved in this.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Nov 20 at 2020 4:47 PM

2020-11-20T16:47:27-05:00

A good question to ask is if the VA and DOD have an agreement at Walter Reed. Several active duty hospitals see VA patients.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Nov 21 at 2020 9:03 AM

2020-11-21T09:03:35-05:00

Called an end of tour award, it a meritorious BS. Families of POTUS and Vice POTUS are treated at Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval. The LOM prolly a retirement award.

Response by SPC(P) Craig Kupras made Mar 22 at 2021 3:22 PM

2021-03-22T15:22:36-04:00

John Kerry was also a "war hero." A liar and a man threw someone else's medals over the White House fence claiming they were his own. He also went before congress and testified under oath that he witnessed rapes and murders by his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. The media ate it up. When asked later by a journalist to name names, dates, and places where these incidents occurred, he confessed that he never actually witnessed any of it, but claims to have heard it from others who did. John Kerry came close to being elected president and commander-in-chief in 2004.
To be fair to Beau Biden, I believe he was awarded the Bronze Star as a JAG officer in Irag for throwing himself on a live stapler to save the lives of his fellow JAG officers. The stapler never went off, though. Bwa-ha-ha!

Response by Leigh Bedard made May 31 at 2021 12:07 PM

2021-05-31T12:07:36-04:00

My brother served 25 yrs in the ARMY, CBRN. a PURPLE HEART and 4 BRONZE STARS, the AUDIE MURPHY AWARD and many other medals. I hear how Joe Biden keeps trying to add some courageous and other reasons why beau was so great in the service. He needs to stop pandering, trying to empathize with those that actually fought and lost loved ones. He lost his son and for that he has my sympathy but he is not a GOLD STAR FAMILY member. Sorry to rant but he needs to stop. HE IS NOT 1 OF US. Arrgh

Response by SPC James Solesbee Jr made Aug 20 at 2021 2:29 PM

2021-08-20T14:29:56-04:00

After several search attempts no web page would explain why beau received such high awards while in Iraq… like Hunter, Thanks Dad.

Response by SPC James Solesbee Jr made Aug 20 at 2021 2:36 PM

2021-08-20T14:36:26-04:00

Did you see latest news announcement by Biden, it should answer all your questions, A Lie every other sentence!

Response by Cpl Greg Hill made Oct 3 at 2021 11:46 AM

2021-10-03T11:46:34-04:00

I agree with some comments I’ve read as a USMC vet I know the bronze star has been given out in the past for reasons that I think has changed the medals status, I do know one Air Force vet who received it however it was given to his whole unit not just one individual? Which I don’t understand, talking to him I could tell he really didn’t think he should have received the medal, this was 2008 or so maybe military using it to motivate its people to reenlist? The bronze star has definitely changed since WW2 on what it takes to be awarded it, I think the Army has also changed its rules on who can wear the CIB, think a lot of soldiers got it that never left the wire and got it because they were in a combat zone, glad they tightened up the requirements for this

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 3 at 2021 12:00 PM

2021-10-03T12:00:36-04:00

He was National Guard. They give awards away like crazy.
Heck, most states even make up their own awards so they can give their people even MORE awards than they're already getting.

Response by SP5 G Man made Mar 28 at 2022 6:22 PM

2022-03-28T18:22:10-04:00

Meritorious service, not valor. He was a good clerk.

Response by MSgt P P made Oct 18 at 2022 7:12 PM

2022-10-18T19:12:05-04:00

Sounds like a pencil whipped version of earning military commendations, total BS. If Brandon can arrange for bilking millions out of foreign companies and governments it shouldn't be too hard to get military commendations for his son to make him out to be something more than he was.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Oct 18 at 2022 10:32 PM

2022-10-18T22:32:35-04:00

Biden was a Major activated to deploy to a combat zone. I don’t see how his Bronze Star medal is different than the thousands upon thousands of watered down awards that were given out like candy during OEF/OIF. If the argument is the Army gave out too many awards and based the majority of those awards on rank rather than merit, I agree with you. The BSM at the time was the equivalent of a ARCOM in my day. A posthumous LOM for a Major with 12 years of service to the Guard is not really unheard of. Treatment at Walter Reed was probably based on him being considered a VIP and his CaC as an officer in the national guard. I refuse to besmirch the memory of the son because of the actions of the dad and his brother.

Response by Cpl Bobby Butte made May 26 at 2023 6:11 PM

2023-05-26T18:11:33-04:00

Exactly. We ALL would like to know why ? Yet we think we have the Answer. JOE BIDEN. BEAU DID ' not ' earn this award.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made May 30 at 2023 7:19 AM

2023-05-30T07:19:24-04:00

It doesn't much sound like you "empathize his death" and "applaud his service" by dragging it up here to shape some political narrative. Nothing you say before the word "but" really counts. You may be better served looking into the number of high ranking officers wearing medals and ribbons they don't actually deserve. The awards system is woefully imperfect, and I suppose if you want to hammer that home by singing out a veteran that died of brain cancer, I suppose that is your right, but there are far better examples. And to be clear, I seriously doubt you are trying to expose problems in the system for distributing awards. I am thinking your motivation lies elsewhere.