nastyleg
03-13-2010, 02:43 AM
Soldier Awarded and Punished in Same Battle
The battle of Wanat in July of 2008 has proven to be the most deadly and most controversial battle of the Afghan war. Nine American soldiers died and 27 were wounded defending a remote combat outpost in eastern Afghanistan before it was nearly overrun by 200 Taliban fighters. Outnumbered three to one, U.S. troops fought off advancing insurgents for over two hours.
One of the survivors, Captain Matthew Myer, was later decorated with the military's third highest award for bravery in combat, the Silver Star.
Now, following an investigation of the actions that led to that deadly incident, Myer and two other Army officers have received potentially career-ending letters of reprimand for failing to adequately prepare their unit for an attack. Lt. Col. William Ostlund and Col. Chip Preysler were also senior commanders at the time of the surprise attack. The letters were sent out earlier this week by General Charles Campbell of Army Forces Command.
According to a defense official familiar with the situation all three men will have the opportunity to appeal, but if that effort fails the letters are sure to kill any chance of any future promotions.
Wanat was a small, remote combat outpost set deep in a valley between mountains -- vulnerable to insurgent attacks from above. The military had planned to abandon the outpost, but they didn't get out in time. Just two days before they left Taliban fighters launched an overwhelming ambush, which was repelled only after heavy air support was called in.
One official told Fox that although Myer fought heroically, " it was his actions prior to the battle that got him into trouble." Military investigators have not released those details, but "clearly some of their responsibilities and defensive preparations were not carried out", this official said.
These reprimands follow a series of punishments for similar battles. In February of this year two commanders were disciplined for their actions leading up to an October 3rd, 2009 attack on Combat Outpost Keating that left eight Americans dead and 22 wounded. Officers were also reprimanded following an investigation into the September 8, 2009 attack on Coalition forces in Ganjgal village of Kunar province. In that case investigators found flaws in "pre-mission planning" that led to the delay of back-up forces.
Asked if it sends a mix message to award and reprimand one man for his actions involving the same battle, one Army official "I don't see it that way at all. He performed heroically and deserves that recognition."
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/03/12/soldier-awarded-and-punished-in-same-battle/
The battle of Wanat in July of 2008 has proven to be the most deadly and most controversial battle of the Afghan war. Nine American soldiers died and 27 were wounded defending a remote combat outpost in eastern Afghanistan before it was nearly overrun by 200 Taliban fighters. Outnumbered three to one, U.S. troops fought off advancing insurgents for over two hours.
One of the survivors, Captain Matthew Myer, was later decorated with the military's third highest award for bravery in combat, the Silver Star.
Now, following an investigation of the actions that led to that deadly incident, Myer and two other Army officers have received potentially career-ending letters of reprimand for failing to adequately prepare their unit for an attack. Lt. Col. William Ostlund and Col. Chip Preysler were also senior commanders at the time of the surprise attack. The letters were sent out earlier this week by General Charles Campbell of Army Forces Command.
According to a defense official familiar with the situation all three men will have the opportunity to appeal, but if that effort fails the letters are sure to kill any chance of any future promotions.
Wanat was a small, remote combat outpost set deep in a valley between mountains -- vulnerable to insurgent attacks from above. The military had planned to abandon the outpost, but they didn't get out in time. Just two days before they left Taliban fighters launched an overwhelming ambush, which was repelled only after heavy air support was called in.
One official told Fox that although Myer fought heroically, " it was his actions prior to the battle that got him into trouble." Military investigators have not released those details, but "clearly some of their responsibilities and defensive preparations were not carried out", this official said.
These reprimands follow a series of punishments for similar battles. In February of this year two commanders were disciplined for their actions leading up to an October 3rd, 2009 attack on Combat Outpost Keating that left eight Americans dead and 22 wounded. Officers were also reprimanded following an investigation into the September 8, 2009 attack on Coalition forces in Ganjgal village of Kunar province. In that case investigators found flaws in "pre-mission planning" that led to the delay of back-up forces.
Asked if it sends a mix message to award and reprimand one man for his actions involving the same battle, one Army official "I don't see it that way at all. He performed heroically and deserves that recognition."
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/03/12/soldier-awarded-and-punished-in-same-battle/