I saw this on MilitaryTimes.com – Lawmakers take key step towards getting Alwyn Cashe the Medal of Honor https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/09/16/lawmakers-take-key-step-towards-getting-alwyn-cashe-the-medal-of-honor/. It’s a slightly longer article.
Leo Shane III September 16, 2020
–snip–
New legislation introduced in the House on Wednesday would allowIraq War hero Alwyn Cashe to receive the Medal of Honor, a move that already has the backing of top Pentagon officials.
Cashe, an Army sergeant first class who died in November 2005 while trying to save his men from a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle, was previously honored with a Silver Star for his actions. Advocates have long criticized that decision, noting paperwork mistakes and bureaucratic regulations that prevented him from receiving the highest military honor.
Last month, Defense Secretary Mark Esper completed his review of the case, telling lawmakers that he would reverse previous Pentagon recommendations and back the Medal of Honor for Cashe.
–snip–
However, under current law the medal must be awarded within five years of a service members’ heroism. Esper requested that Congress pass new legislation bypassing that rule and putting the issue before the president.
Wednesday’s bill is an answer to Esper’s request. Reps. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Dan Crenshaw, R-Tex., and Michael Waltz, R-Fla., had already included similar language in drafts of the annual defense authorization bill, but introduced the new measure as a stand-alone action which Congress could fast track in coming weeks.
“For well over a decade, there has been a painstaking effort by Cashe’s family, friends, and former comrades to have his Silver Star upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which is clearly justified by the facts of this case,” Murphy said in a statement. “With (this bill) today, my colleagues and I are working together to remove the one remaining technical obstacle that stands in the way of this incredible soldier receiving the recognition he earned.”
–snip–
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/09/16/lawmakers-take-key-step-towards-getting-alwyn-cashe-the-medal-of-honor/
Sometimes I wonder who are the guys in the MOH committee and why do they take so long with awarding the MOH…
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First, the MOH has to be submitted and gets passed up the line if they get approval. Under normal rules, you only have so long to submit it, but Congress can approve someone after the deadline passes if they approve overriding the deadline. Looks like it was submitted to President Trump several weeks ago, but not seeing where he has signed off on it.
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Gotcha
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