Kiwiussr's fabulous claim.

[kiwiussr]

sorry been so long since I have been on forum as have been away with work and just resecently returned home

in regards to the LOM was awarded to myself and 7 other members of my unit for work with American forces and operations in the late 80,s as part of joint operations in parts of central amercia as we were under US contrrol

The BS was awarded for actions in the first gulf war, again joint operations between UK/US forces, again several members of my unit recieved same awarded

DCM - awarded for actions in Northern Ireland, MM for actions in Lebanon, MID, one for first Gulf war, other also for Northern Ireland

hope this answers and questions

regards

kiwi

[desantnik]

Mind showing the U.S. documents?

I can't speak for the U.K. award, but for twelve years' service you seem to have been pretty busy, fortunate, or both.

Assuming you left service in 1992 immediately after the First Gulf War, you would have had to enter basic training in 1980.

You then would have been either a junior NCO or officer in the "late '80's." I can't imagine a LOM being awarded to either a U.S. or more importantly, foreign servicemember under those conditions. I have plenty of 7th Group friends who were fighting a "hot" Cold War in Central America in the late '80's and I'm pretty sure those "secret" wars weren't involving even our closest allies - SAS, SBS, or TAVN. Congress raked President Reagan over the coals for his activities there (Lt Col Ollie North) and the U.S. wasn't seeking a "coalition of the willing" to fight communism in Central America. Again, the LOM is an award reserved for senior recipients in combat or peacetime. I invite anyone to look here, but among foreign recipients, there are plenty of generals, admirals, marshals, etc.

Legion of Merit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Based on my conjectured timeline above, the BSM is in the realm of slight possibility, but not knowing the circumstances of the claimed awarding, possibility does not equal high probability. Again, the bar for awarding is higher for foreign personnel.

I am honored to offer $500 to see your docs with the name and/or personal information blocked out, either posted here or emailed to me. Such as sum is a mere price for my personal education or as a small token of thanks for an ally's service alongside deployed U.S. forces.

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by slava1stclass

desantnik,

The Legion of Merit struck me as particularly unusual given that the earned British decorations (DCM, MM) are awarded exclusively to the enlisted ranks.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Originally Posted by desantnik

I can't imagine a LOM being awarded to either a U.S. or more importantly, foreign servicemember under those conditions. Again, the LOM is an award reserved for senior recipients in combat or peacetime. I invite anyone to look here, but among foreign recipients, there are plenty of generals, admirals, marshals, etc.

Legion of Merit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gents,

As further evidence of the Legion of Merit's relative rarity as a combat zone decoration, one need only look at the number awarded to date to U.S. Army personnel for service in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters (after some 11 years of persistent conflict). The total number is in the very low double digits.

I will post the exact number when the U.S. Army publishes its next theater awards update.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[medals73]

Do I smell that acrid hormonal stench of a "Stolen Valor" lynch mob? Perhaps most of this should be conducted by PM?

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by medals73

Do I smell that acrid hormonal stench of a "Stolen Valor" lynch mob? Perhaps most of this should be conducted by PM?

medals73,

I see no need for PMs as this thread's tone has been nothing other than civil while also fact based.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[CtahhR]

Doesn't a "Stolen valor" lynch mob use a Lordship Industries MOH to carry out the sentence?

Most of those British awards will be named on the edge as issued. Older ones have a mechanical impression newer ones laser.

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by medals73

Do I smell that acrid hormonal stench of a "Stolen Valor" lynch mob? Perhaps most of this should be conducted by PM?

Ed, does the academic community condone plagiarism, shoddy research, paper mill diplomas, or unearned academic titles? Do you engage in peer review?

A member has made made a rather spectacular claim which is being prudently questioned, hormones excluded. If validated, I'll buy the man a $500 "drink" and thank him for his exploits. If not, maybe you can still defend him.

[CtahhR]

$500 will certainly buy a LOT of drink in India!

Here's a brave Kiwi with a US award.

Willie Apiata VC wearing his US Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation.
He was also originally in the terries too.

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by slava1stclass

Gents,

As further evidence of the Legion of Merit's relative rarity as a combat zone decoration, one need only look at the number awarded to date to U.S. Army personnel for service in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters (after some 11 years of persistent conflict). The total number is in the very low double digits.

I will post the exact number when the U.S. Army publishes its next theater awards update.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Gents,

As promised. While the actual number of U.S. Army-awarded Legions of Merit for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (235 total) was a bit higher than I thought, it still represents just 0.00027% of the 862,452 total decorations (ranging from the Medal of Honor to the Army Achievement Medal) which the U.S. Army has awarded for these operations through 31 August 2012.

Statistics for U.S. Army-awarded Legions of Merit (by wartime operation) follow:

For the still ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) from 5 December 2001 – 31 August 2012: 102.

For the now concluded Operation Iraqi Freedom from 15 March 2003 - 31 August 2010: 123.

For the now concluded Operation New Dawn (Iraq) from 1 September 2010 - 31 December 2011: 10.

Across these operations, only the Medal of Honor (six total), Distinguished Service Cross (25 total) and the Soldier's Medal (148 total) have been awarded fewer times to U.S. Army personnel.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by kiwiussr

in regards to the LOM was awarded to myself and 7 other members of my unit for work with American forces and operations in the late 80,s as part of joint operations in parts of central amercia as we were under US contrrol

regards

kiwi

Gents,

While of a very sensitive nature at that time, there were indeed U.S. Army decorations awarded (principally to U.S. Army Special Forces trainers/advisors) for combat-related operations in El Salvador during the cited period. They included one Silver Star Medal, one Distinguished Flying Cross, 24 Bronze Star Medals with "V" (valor) device, three Purple Heart Medals, one Air Medal with "V" device and six Army Commendation Medals with "V" device.

No Legions of Merit were awarded to U.S. Army personnel for combat-related operations in El Salvador.

Regards,

slava1stclass