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fade2black
02-11-04, 08:43 PM
This is from a MSNBC.com story on the number of medals the Air Force and Army are giving out (I hope this isn't a repost). This is the best part of the whole story:


Stephen Mackey, director of the Marine Corps medals and decorations branch, says the Corps has issued no Silver Stars or Navy Crosses to date for Iraq war service.

“We have a good number of medals in the pipeline, and it represents about the right scale given the scope and fighting the Marines did,” he says.

Medals to date include 200 Bronze Stars, 447 Purple Hearts, a number of air and commendation medals. A bit over 1,000 in all.

“You look at the Air Force and the number of medals it’s giving out, and then you look at the Marines, who still apply reasonable standards,” grumbles Hackworth. You can’t tell me that these Air Force guys have seen more blood and fire than the Marines who fought their way all the way to Baghdad.”

"Thank God for the Marines," says a retired Navy officer. "They haven't changed their uniforms or their world view in 50 years. Why should they change the way they hand out medals?"



Here is the whole story (http://http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4243092/)