Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealhead
Indeed. One thing for certain I doubt many people do something because they might receive a medal they just did what they needed to do to survive another day. Not to say that getting recognition is a bad thing.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vienna
Something has always bothered me whenever I see some military high-ranking officer with a chest filled with ribbons; I always wonder how many men earned those officers those ribbons and did those men get their due? As the line goes in the movie "Patton":
Soldier 1: There goes old blood-and-guts.
Soldier 2: Yeah, our blood, his guts.
The Majors, colonels, and generals all go on to more prestige, honor, and financial gains, their well-being well seen to; the rest go home to uncertainty, neglect, and sometimes indifference. Somehow, it never seems fair...
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One story I recall my father telling me was about his voyage to Murmansk. This convoy sailed without any escort because of their need in another theatre (invasion of Sicily iirc). Less than a third made the return journey safely and in recognition of the fact (my father and all who took part received a war bonus of £50) every officer was awarded a medal and one was set aside for the entire crew, lots were drawn to see who the recipient would be....absolutely shocking in my estimation
