Navy SEAL to receive Medal of Honor, MARSOC corpsman to receive Silver Star

February 4th, 2016 by MOTHAX
 
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Navy SEAL to receive Medal of Honor, MARSOC corpsman to receive Silver Star

Great news for the Department of the Navy out of DC:

A senior enlisted SEAL will be the first sailor in a decade to receive the Medal of Honor, for a mission to rescue an American civilian hostage in Afghanistan in 2012, according to a Tuesday release from the White House.

President Obama will present Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward Byers with the nation's highest award for valor in a Feb. 29 ceremony at the White House, the release said.

Byers’ actions were so clearly beyond expectation, even for a Navy SEAL, that the Navy had no hesitation in nominating him for the Medal of Honor, according to a defense official familiar with his case, but not authorized to speak publicly about it, told USA Today.

Now, just wnat those actions were probably won't know for a long time, since the medal citation (BUT NOT THE MEDAL) will be classified:

At that time, Dr. Dilip Joseph, the medical director for the faith-based nonprofit Morningstar Development, was entering his fifth day of captivity by ransom-seeking Taliban fighters in the mountains east of Kabul, according to the USA Today report.

Sometime after midnight on Dec. 9, Joseph heard shots outside the shack where he was being held, he recounted in a 2014 book, "Kidnapped by the Taliban: A Story of Terror, Hope, and Rescue by SEAL Team Six."

"Is Dilip Joseph here?" shouted one of the heavily armed men, wearing night-vision goggles and speaking English. When Joseph identified himself, one of the SEALs — Joseph doesn't know for sure — immediately laid down on top of him to protect him from the fighting, asking about his welfare. Amid the gunfire, the SEAL calmly asked if he had been fed, if he could walk, and if he had been mistreated.

There was a great interview with the doctor later:

That could be a weird MOH ceremony, since the actual citation is classified.  (This is often used by the phonies who claim their records were sealed, but as you can see here, the AWARD itself is NOT sealed, only the citation itself is sealed.)

Meanwile a Navy Corpsman attached at a Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is also getting a Silver Star it was announced yesterday:

A Navy corpsman will receive the nation’s third-highest valor award Friday for taking out a rogue Afghan commando who tried to kill U.S. and Italian special operators in an insider attack.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alejandro Salabarria will be awarded the Silver Star for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 with 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. The award will be presented by Maj. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commander of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

During the 2014 deployment, Salabarria and the Marine Raiders were operating alongside Italian and Afghan special operators when a rogue Afghan commando turned on the team. Within seconds, several men had been wounded causing “overwhelming chaos across the formation,” according to a Marine Corps press release.

Salabarria quickly maneuvered into the kill zone to shield a severely wounded corpsman and take out the attacker. With the threat neutralized, the Miami native treated two wounded team members and coordinated a helicopter medical evacuation.

I'm a huge fan of Corpsmen.  I went to the Grand Canyon with one who was also attached to MARSOC.  He's even been through Army Special Forces and done a host of training that 99 percent of people (myself included) either failed out of inside a week, or probably would have.

Great to see the pipeline of awards seems to be opening up.

Posted in the burner | 23 comments
 
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Comments

Andy Bostelman,... (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 2:27pm

Both of these gentlemen deserve the highest respect from all. I am proud of both of these men. I would gladly accept either as a true friend, and welcome them both into our humble post.

Landon D Thompson (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 3:09pm

These men are real hero's and are receiving well deserved metals. I am proud that we have men such as these serving our country. Thank you Senior Chief Edward Byers and Corpsman 2nd class Alejandro Salabarria for helping defending our country's freedom.

Dennis J Hoffer (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 3:11pm

Both of these guys are the real true American Heros!!

Edward Blumberg (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 3:22pm

OOHRAH to you my Brother. You have done your best to preserve our freedom. Never quit, Never Forget those who went before you, and those who are yet to become our Nation's Elite fighting force. Well deserved.

Michael G.Jeris... (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 3:43pm

A hearty Coast Guard"HooRah & salute to both US Navy Hero's.
May God bless and keep both of them always.
Our country thanks them.

Michael G.Jeris... (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 3:47pm

A hearty Coast Guard"HooRah & salute to both US Navy Hero's.
May God bless and keep both of them always.
Our country thanks them.
Michael G. Jerista - HM2 USCG " 65-77 "

Joel Blake (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 4:30pm

Navy Seals deserve our love and respect

William Byers (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 5:03pm

Glad to see a Byers has made it to the top of the list. Job Well done by one and all.

Chuck Pellegrini (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 6:56pm

As a former Navy Corpsman I congratulate my fellow shipmate and wish both the Senior Chief and the HM2 continued well being.

Chuck Pellegrini (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 6:56pm

As a former Navy Corpsman I congratulate my fellow shipmate and wish both the Senior Chief and the HM2 continued well being.

Mike Faciane (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 7:11pm

I'm ex military, Vietnam Vet. It's soldiers like that that make me proud to have served our Country. Its Warriors like that who sacrifice it all to save someone's life.

Mike Faciane (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 7:11pm

I'm ex military, Vietnam Vet. It's soldiers like that that make me proud to have served our Country. Its Warriors like that who sacrifice it all to save someone's life.

Philip Scott (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 7:16pm

As a WW 2 PhM3c you make my old heart sing with pride.

James R Bunting II (not verified)

February 4, 2016 - 8:55pm

Thank God for the U.S. Navy Seals.HOOYAH!!!!!!!!!! F.T.W.

Andrew J. Ventura (not verified)

February 5, 2016 - 1:34am

Thank you both for you your service and may God Bless you both and keep you safe.
As a Vietnam Vet from 1965 to 1966 I am so proud to hear of Hero's like you.

Claude DE JEAN (not verified)

February 5, 2016 - 3:55am

Sorry, j'écrit en français, vous avait une personne qui connait le français?

Je suis un menbre de l'AMERICAN LEGION de FRANCE. Je désirerai vous entretenir de ce qui se passe en FRANCE. L'AMERICAN LEGION de FRANCE à des problémes. J'expiquerai avec un correspondant parlant français. Ne parlé pas de ce mail à PARIS, je m'adresse à L'AMERICAN LEGION USA UNIQUEMENT.

SGT Angel Carri... (not verified)

February 5, 2016 - 1:27pm

Congrats! God Bless America!

James W. Maerz (not verified)

February 6, 2016 - 2:53am

I wish to extend Congrats to the two Navy fellows, especially to Navy Corpsman Salabarria in his valorous actions in this reviving Marine Raiders effort. My wife's youngest uncle, Pfc Philip E. Allen was personally picked by Ltc James Roosevelt in 1943 to join his newly formed 4th Marine Raiders at Pendleton for special tng and was deployed quickly after the Makin Is. attack by Col. Carlson to the New Georgia, Solomons and St. Matthias Is. invasions and eventually in Operation Code, "White-1", the re-taking of American territory, Guam from the Japanese Imperial Army and civilian work forces in1944. At the young age of 19yrs, he lost his life in the first wave amphibious assault and rec'd the Bronze Star and Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon (Unit Silver Star at that time). After doing considerable research -quietly- so as to NOT upset his surviving siblings who are now long gone, I have found he should have rec'd the Marines' Good Conduct Medal after a 1953 regulations change and also would now be eligible to have my wife, his next oldest living relative rec the Navy and Marine Combat Action ribbon for his svc at Emirau, St. Matthias. It will take political persuasion and pressure just to see that this young man's sacrifice and memory are fully recognized even with the necessary documentation, a very discouraging find!

Amos Garnto (not verified)

February 6, 2016 - 6:42am

Yvette Morse Washington maybe Bob Eldridge didn't respond because he didn't want to dignify the trash comment of Ronald Falls. Not sure what type of crystal ball Ronald is peeking into. He must have voted for Obama and is rooting for Clinton (again). BTW, I'm NOT a combat veteran but I am a 30 year veteran so I do have a little knowledge of the military.

Brandt (not verified)

February 6, 2016 - 8:28am

Congrats and good job Sailors. You make us old salts proud.

William Gremler (not verified)

February 6, 2016 - 2:57pm

Could not be more proud of Senior Chief Byers and Corpsman Salabarria for their valor. They and all who serve, past and present are doing it for us, AMERICANS, 24/7. Thank you and may God bless you all. A proud and grateful AMERICAN and former Corpsman, HM2, 1953-1957

Paul Norton (not verified)

February 9, 2016 - 3:35pm

Yet another great example of the highest honors bestowed on two great military people who exemplify the moral fabric of what makes our nation so great. Wow... goose bumps galore...

F4rank P. Calderon (not verified)

February 27, 2016 - 6:02pm

Dear Cmmdr:

Good it 9is about time for our servicemen and women to get recognition, it may not seem like much but it is a starter, as the old sayings go better than nothing, or better late then never.

Yours for GOD and Country
Frank P. Calderon

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News from the World of Military and Veterans Issues. Iraq and A-Stan in parenthesis reflects that the author is currently deployed to that theater.