HUNTER CALLS ON DEFENSE SECRETARY TO CONSIDER MORE RECIPIENTS FOR MEDAL OF HONOR

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter has sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense recommending that medals be reviewed to see if some should be upgraded to a Medal of Honor.

Rep. Hunter specifically cites four cases that “stand out” for consideration of a Medal of Honor:

• U.S. Army Sgt. First Clas Alwynn Cashe, who rescued six fellow soldiers from a burning Bradley while covered in flames. He died weeks later and was awarded the Silver Star.

• U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez, who faced small arms fire from Taliban fighters less than 30 feet away, fighting through a gunshot wound and collapsed lung as he coordinated air strikes against the enemy. He hiked a mile to a pickup point and was awarded the Air Force Cross.
 

• Marine Corps Capt. Brian Chontosh, who directed his vehicle into an Iraqi machine gun position, dismounted firing his M-16 and pistol until his ammunition was depleted, picked up discarded enemy weapons and single-handedly killed 20 fighters along an enemy trench. He was awarded the Navy Cross.
 

• Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who died after smothering a grenade blast with his body. He was recommended for a Medal of Honor, but after a scientific examination contradicted eyewitness accounts, was awarded a Navy Cross.

Only recently was the first living Medal of Honor recipient named, with two more living recipients soon added. Hunter’s letter observes that with over a million American soldiers serving overseas in the past decade, “there is no shortage of instances where combat personnel have performed remarkable acts of heroism under immense danger and personal risk.” His letter notes that the process for Medal of Honor award submissions is “so onorous and intimidating that commanders routinely choose to make recommendations for the awards they know can be approved.”
 

The Republican Congressman,who represents most of East County, indicated that he believes some other individuals who were overlooked or recognized with other awards may merit consideration for a Medal of Honor. His letter recommends that those who received a Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, or Navy Cross be reviewed to determine if any upgrades to Medal of Honor are warranted.