Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.
These are the seven values each individual soldier in the United States Army are supposed to embrace.
In fact, the Army feels so strongly about these values, it issues each soldier not one, but two “Values cards” to be carried with him/her at all times, one in your wallet, one on your dog tags. Never mind that the whole concept of a “Values card” is completely asinine. One could imagine a soldier, caught in some ethical discord, pulling out his card to remind him how to act.
“Oh yeah, integrity! Thank goodness I have this handy dandy card with me, otherwise I would be adrift with no moral compass to guide me”
Most soldiers I know recognize this tripe for what it is, a bullet on some anonymous Colonel’s (soon to be General) Officer Evaluation Report.
The entire concept of these cards is insulting to the point of resigned laughter and is further indication of how (or what) our leadership really thought of us.
Never-the-less, no matter how misguided the concept of “values cards” may be, the underlying principle is sound. The aforementioned values are a necessity in all combat units and any commander would be proud of an organization that lived by them.
Unfortunately, the Army, and individual soldiers don’t always live by these rules. Take the Jessica Lynch story for example.
Jessica Lynch’s story is an amazing tale of heroism and fortitude. While riding in a convoy on 23 March, 2003, Lynch and her fellow soldiers came under attack when her convoy made a wrong turn near the town of An Nasiriyah.
Sensing imminent danger and recognizing a nearly hopeless situation, PFC Lynch grabbed her M-16 and emptied numerous 30 round magazines into the advancing horde. When her ammunition ran out, PFC Lynch reverted to hand-to-hand combat, eventually succumbing to a bullet wound and a close combat knife injury, not to mention a broken leg.
Later, while in captivity, PFC Lynch was beaten on a daily basis. Her torture was so brutal, another limb was broken because the resolute PFC from West Virginia refused to cooperate with her captors.
Days later, an elite group of Special Forces and Navy Seals risked their lives rescuing PFC Lynch from the medieval torture chamber. Jessica was saved and a full account of her traumatic events would both horrify and solidify a reeling nation. PFC Lynch was a first class hero, an inspiration to all fighting men an women and the public back home who supported them.
A wonderful story to be sure, if a word of it were true.
Even though the Army made absolutely no effort to correct the stories being told about PFC Lynch’s actions during the battle of An Nasiriyah, dedicated sources and reporters behind the scenes were beginning to paint an altogether different picture.
It was soon discovered that it was highly unlikely PFC Lynch was ever tortured while in captivity. In fact, the Iraqis tried to return her to friendly forces a couple of days before the highly publicized rescue only to be rebuffed when their ambulance was fired upon by soldiers at an American checkpoint.
Iraqi doctors who looked after PFC Lynch insisted she received the best medical attention possible under the circumstances. It was even reported that one Iraqi nurse brought in her children to help comfort PFC Lynch and sang lullabies to her as she drifted to sleep each night. In fact, at least one American doctor has gone on record saying that had it not been for the immediate medical attention received while in captivity, PFC Lynch would probably not be with us today.
As for the adrenalin packed rescue operation, numerous witnesses claim the Iraqi Paramilitary forces stationed in and around the hospital pulled out of the area several days before. Iraqi doctors and patients were bemused and a tad confused by the American’s actions that night. While Rangers created a diversion in the distance, Special Operations soldiers swooped down upon the hospital, kicking in doors and creating havoc. At least one Iraqi doctor offered the soldiers the keys to the hospital, which were refused.
Once inside the hospital, the American forces restrained the doctors, nurses and several patients, one paralyzed, with quick ties. One nurse was taken to a detention center and kept there for three days. PFC Lynch was whisked away in an awaiting helicopter and shortly thereafter, all soldiers departed the scene.
Shortly after the rescue, a horrific picture began to emerge about PFC Lynch’s captivity. Fortunately, very little of it was grounded in reality. Unfortunately, neither the Army or the Department of Defense attempted to correct any of the false hoods being circulated.
Immediately after the rescue, PFC Lynch was recommended for the Silver Star, the United States Army’s third highest award for gallantry in action against the enemy. To put a Silver Star in context, here is what a common citation looked like during the Vietnam War:
At approximately 1400 hours, Company A, was moving along the side of Fire Support Base Airborne when the lead platoon’s movement was checked by a heavy barrage of automatic weapons, rocket propelled grenade, and small arms fire. Specialist Fry was at the very front position, moving toward the well-placed enemy fortifications. With complete disregard for his own safety, he laid down a heavy volume of fire with his M-16 rifle, providing cover for the other members of his platoon. At this time, a rocket propelled grenade exploded near his position, seriously wounding him. Refusing medical aid, Specialist Fry continued retaliatory fire until another rocket propelled grenade exploded near his position, mortally wounding him. His courageous action contributed highly to the success of the mission and to the defeat of the enemy force. Specialist Fry’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Now, according to the U.S. Army Official Report in the 507th maintenance Co.: An Nasiriya, Iraq (page 14), this is the extent of PFC Lynch’s contribution to the fight:
There were five soldiers in 1SG Dowdy’s vehicle: 1SG Dowdy, his driver PFC Piestewa, and three Soldiers in the back-PFC Lynch, SGT Buggs and PFC Anguiano. 1SG Dowdy was killed on impact. Peistewa survived the crash, but was seriously injured and died in captivity. Lynch was also seriously injured and captured. The circumstances of Bugg’s and Anguiano’s deaths remain under investigation.
So, basically, PFC Lynch was the victim of unfortunate circumstances. After her vehicle was fired upon, it accelerated at a high rate of speed only to collide with the vehicle in front of them. PFC Lynch was knocked unconscious and was not revived until she was in captivity.
Contrary to popular belief, her weapon was never fired. In fact, nearly half the weapons used that day jammed due to poor maintenance.
Quite a different story than the one being circulated after her rescue. Unfortunately, many still believe the false account of events.
To be fair, PFC Lynch did not receive the Silver Star. I guess some General or Sergeant Major just couldn’t let that one go. So, in the interest of fairness, PFC Lynch was instead awarded the less prestigious Bronze Star. Though lesser in stature, the Bronze Star still demands a very high criteria to be awarded:
a. The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (superseded by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962).
b. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
c. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.
PFC Lynch’s Citation reads:
For exemplary courage under fire during combat operations to liberate Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Private First Class Lynch’s bravery and heart persevered while surviving in the ambush and captivity in An Nasiriya. Private First Class Lynch’s belief in the Battalion’s motto “One Team, One Fight” is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service. her honor, courage and dedication reflect great credit upon herself, 507th Maintenance Company, 3rd Infantry division, Victory Corps and The United States Army
When Retired Colonel David Hackworth, America’s most decorated living soldier, called the Pentagon to ask why “the citation included the word ‘bravery’ when according to the Army’s After Action Report, Jessica was injured in a collision, which rendered her unconscious until she awoke in an Iraqi hospital as a POW?” his answer was “It was for bravery in the hospital”.
It was announced today that Jessica Lynch signed a one Million dollar book deal to tell her side of the story. Don’t expect any startling revelations however. According to Lynch’s doctor and family, Jessica is suffering from amnesia and may never be able to account for what occurred during both the attack and her resulting captivity.
So, what, exactly, will she write about?
“Many folks have written, expressing their support for me and the for the thousands of other soldiers who serve their country”, Jessica said in a statement issued by her publisher, “I feel I owe them all this story, which will be about more than a girl going off to war and fighting alongside her fellow soldiers. It will be a story about growing up in America”.
Meanwhile, thousands of injured soldiers, including amputees, soldiers with severe burn trauma, lost eyesight, etc, are piling up in the D.C. area under the care of the Walter Reed Medical system. Although most of their wounds were received during actual combat operations, no book deals or hero’s welcome will be coming their way anytime soon.
In fact, the true number of injured American servicemen and women is actually classified. Nearly all of these soldiers will soon be facing a medical discharge with only a faltering, overtaxed Veterans Administration and ever decreasing benefits available to take care of them.
I submit that if Jessica Lynch is truly concerned about the fellow soldiers she “fought alongside” of, she should immediately donate every penny received from her book deal to their cause. God knows they are going to need it.
Furthermore, if the much tauted Army Values are to mean anything, the United States Army will have to give a full account of the Jessica Lynch episode.
Jessica Lynch, herself, should stand up and state that in no uncertain terms, the accolades and the medal (Bronze Star) awarded her are totally undeserved.
Some people have told me that Jessica Lynch bears no responsibility for these events, that I am being rather unfair towards her. I cannot disagree more. Jessica Lynch was a Soldier. Yet, even though she was trained and indoctrinated with the core Army Values, she allowed a lie to be perpetrated. And now, she is one Million dollars richer because of that lie
I guess Fairy Tales can come true.
