Military recommends Medal of Honor for living recipient.
WASHINGTON — The military has sent the White House a recommendation to award the Medal of Honor to a soldier for bravery in Afghanistan, which could make him the first living recipient since the Vietnam War.
The soldier ran through a hail of enemy fire to repel Taliban fighters in a 2007 battle, saving the lives of a half dozen other men, two U.S. officials said Wednesday. They declined to name the soldier and spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is still under consideration for the honor.
There is concern, officials say, that early disclosure could place political pressure on President Barack Obama to approve the medal or could cause embarrassment for the soldier if it’s not approved.
The nation’s highest award for valor has been awarded only six times in the nine years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq — and all were awarded posthumously.
All I can say is, it’s about time. Having read numerous citations coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan for recipients of the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, and Navy Cross, I often wondered why these weren’t Medals of Honor. I always felt it was a shame that the only way bravery above and beyond the call of duty was only recognized if the military member died on the battlefield.
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