Pentagon recommends Medal of Honor for a living soldier

The Pentagon has recommended to the President that he consider awarding the Medal of Honor to a living soldier for the first time since the Vietnam War. Six Medal of Honor’s have been awarded to service members posthumously for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, but none were awarded to a living service member.

The soldier, whose nomination must be reviewed by the White House, ran through a wall of enemy fire in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley in fall 2007 , in an attempt to push back Taliban fighters who were close to overrunning his squad. U.S. military officials said his actions saved the lives of about half a dozen men.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award for bravery. It is awarded by the President in the name of Congress. For this reason, it is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since it was first awarded in 1863, 3,409 individuals have been awarded this medal. Nineteen individuals have been double recipients of the award.

The process is intimidating, but there is a reason for that; in their provisions for judging whether a man is entitled to the Medal of Honor, each of the armed services has set up regulations which permit no margin of doubt or error. The deed of the person must be proved by incontestable evidence of at least two eyewitnesses; it must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; it must involve the risk of his life; and it must be of the type of deed which, if he had not done it, would not subject him to any justified criticism.

Concern must be made that procedure’s are followed and that awarding the Soldier the Medal of Honor is not done for political reasons and is done in keeping with the spirit of those individuals who were previously awarded the Medal of Honor. You never want to diminish the award or the sacrifices of those who came before. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the most cherished award any military personnel can receive and should not be politicized in any way.

If the Soldier meets the requirements of the award by following proper procedure, then award him this highest honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty!