Help please! What was the story about Gen. Petraeus and his

[monmouth]

medal of Valor. He didn't really earn it or something along those lines. I read it then sort of passed it on without really getting the details on that. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[shain from kane]

1. You do know that he was shot by one of his fellow soldiers? That story may be more

interesting to you.

[monmouth]

2. Ohh, pray tell. I'm answering a RWer who thinks this guy is God..

[shain from kane]

6. See my comment #3. Posted in answer at wrong place. n/t

[shain from kane]

3. Here's one reference from the internets.

"But Petraeus's most important asset may be his intellect, and his knack for politics. He graduated in the top 5 percent of his class at West Point, which means he's just what the Army likes (smart, but please God, not brilliant). He also married the daughter of the West Point superintendent. Graduating in 1974, he was too late for Vietnam, and he spent the gulf war serving as aide to the Army chief of staff. In 1991, Petraeus nearly died in a training exercise, when an infantryman tripped and discharged his M-16, firing a bullet into Petraeus's chest. The wounded Petraeus was medevaced to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., where a young surgeon rushed off the golf course to operate on him. The surgeon, Dr. Bill Frist, is now the Senate majority leader. The two men are firm friends.

Oddly, Petraeus saw combat for the first time only in March last year, and that's where the whispered questions arise. Everyone agrees that Petraeus is ambitious, intense, competitive to the point of obsession and a driven leader of soldiers. No one doubts that he's smart: he got a Ph.D. from Princeton in 1987, with a provocative dissertation on lessons the Army drew from Vietnam. (One of his conclusions: "American involvement in low-intensity conflict is inevitable," and the military had better prepare for it.) But what, exactly, does that add up to on the battlefield?"

[babylonsister]

4. Here's two threads but don't know how valid the claim is:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1854211

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1862030

[Benhurst]

5. ...

Examining General Petraeus's medals, his official bios and then comparing three reports of events on 3/30/2003 in Najaf, Iraq - two by prize-winning embedded journalists and one understood to be by Army personnel (which document this diarist will produce to a responsible party at any time) - this diarist cannot conclude other than that General David Petraeus wore a medal for combat valor in his testimony before Congress that was a sham, propaganda and a dishonor to his troops and nation.

Update <2007-9-19 13:44:53 by dlawbailey>: General Eisenhower, who also entered command not having seen combat was not awarded - and did not let himself be awarded - a medal for combat valor.

More ...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/9/19/22357/9565

[monmouth]

7. Many thanks to you all, good stuff...eom

[dlawbailey]

8. I Wrote The Kos Story. Petraues Was Phonied-Up

Petraeus entered his first combat in 2003. Then Major General Petraeus was given a combat valor medal without having discharged his weapon at the enemy, having been under fire in any real sense and while he had bodyguards.

How does a person with bodyguards show combat valor? He doesn't.

General Petraeus was shot in the chest during an accident at a live-fire exercise. There is no combat at a live fire exercise because, well, there are only our guys.

The awarding of a combat valor medal to a 2-Star general is almost unprecedented. Moreover, the Army as made NO attempt whatsoever to publicize this amazing circumstance, although they publicize basically every other Bronze Star with Valor they give out.

The officer corps in Iraq has become scandalous for self-dealing in medals. General Petraeus is the most appalling, egregious and pathetic example. Petraeus is himself propaganda.

[Kuni]

10. We should send him one of those Purple Heart bandages the GOP had at their 2004 convention.

[ShortnFiery]

9. But but Harry Reid, our illustrious democratic Senate Majority Leader, ADORES the man ...

that's the JOKE of leadership that we have been dealt. :grr:

Hey Congress?!? You have fully EARNED your 11% approval rating.

And we have to lay a significant proportion of blame on our SPINELESS democratic leadership in Congress. :thumbsdown:

We must elect "fresh blood" anti-war democrats and DEMAND they be given leadership positions.

Right now 70% of the American People want this occupation ended.

The American People are NOT being represented by Congress and are being RULED by a criminal Unitary Executive.

DAMMIT! IMPEACH Cheney or risk losing to your next primary challenger. :grr: