tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9238806.post116036000541860916..comments2023-10-26T08:13:17.812-04:00Comments on Above Average Jane: A Few Points on a Bronze StarAboveAvgJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07041855236200085575noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9238806.post-34957897460721409462007-09-11T13:40:00.000-04:002007-09-11T13:40:00.000-04:00“Additionally Capt. Murphy was the convoy commande...“Additionally Capt. Murphy was the convoy commander in over 75 movement-to-contact missions throughout the Baghdad area of operations, one receiving small arms fire and another successfully scouting the eventual detonation of an improvised explosion device, but all resulting in mission accomplishment and no soldiers killed or wounded in action.”<BR/><BR/>Hmmmm....let's see...75 convoys resulting in one TIC and uncovered one IED....BFD...Basically from my perspective he's a JAG wuss who went on convoys for whatever reason, probably as a way to leave the wire for a few hours affording a great opportunity to badge hunt for his CAB because he knew at the end of the day he would be back at the FOB sucking down smoothies from the Local Green Bean. Just another Fobbit tootin' his horn for political reasons, typical modus operandi....While I only associate with combat arms on and off duty, I will say in his defense, still a better American than most people back in CONUS who don't wear a uniform.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9238806.post-1165634007087308612006-12-08T22:13:00.000-05:002006-12-08T22:13:00.000-05:00My father, who served for 20 years in the Army, in...My father, who served for 20 years in the Army, including a tour in Nam as a platoon sergeant and other tours of less than friendly spots, always told me that you never question another soldier's service unless you were serving right next to them, and even then only under extreme circumstances. Thus, I have never had a very positive view of those who do cast such aspersions.<BR/><BR/>As for swiftboating, the word became derogatory when the group Swiftboat for Truth started questioning the service of John Kerry. See paragraph above. Those who were in the boat with Kerry or those who were dependent on Kerry and have questions about his service can go public with their concerns. Everyone else should have just kept quiet. <BR/><BR/>Just my viewpoint.AboveAvgJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041855236200085575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9238806.post-1161788647058956332006-10-25T11:04:00.000-04:002006-10-25T11:04:00.000-04:00Murphy should have clearly identified that his was...Murphy should have clearly identified that his was a "Meritorious Bronze Star" Not a VALOROUS Bronze Star. I received a Bronze Star for my service in Iraq, funny that my citation is WORD for WORD the same as Murphys! Captain and above automatically got the Bronze star and Sergeant First Class and above got it as well. As far as movement to contact, no he never conducted a movement to contact mission, he was a JAG officer, a lawyer, not a combat arms officer. He conducted convoy operations, which was a neccesity, and if he made contact during those operations then he made contact. CPT Murphy served honorably, he should be proud of what he did as a part of the 82nd Airborne, not trump up his achievements to be what they werent. Barbato has a good point, I served with him and know his caliber, the media as always took what he said out of context and to the untrained civilian eye it may have seemed disrespectful. Further, when did the term "swiftboat" become a derogatory term? Those guys who conducted riverine operaions in vietnam were tough as nails, I would take it as a compliment!! God bless our country and paratroopers like Rich Barbato, we need more guys like him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9238806.post-1160538014675702042006-10-10T23:40:00.000-04:002006-10-10T23:40:00.000-04:00good questiongood questionAboveAvgJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041855236200085575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9238806.post-1160519414002129932006-10-10T18:30:00.000-04:002006-10-10T18:30:00.000-04:00Fitzpatrick was born Jun 28, 1963.That would make ...Fitzpatrick was born Jun 28, 1963.<BR/>That would make him 43. Although as of his last birthday, this year, he's a year too old to enlist in the Army Reserves, he had every chance in the world to sign up with the military and serve in the Iraq war. <BR/><BR/>Next time this comes up, Murphy ought to ask Fitzpatrick where was he.tewdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com