Another Medal of Honor, not for Iraq
Published: April 17, 2012
WASHINGTON – In the last five years, the White House has awarded as many Medals of Honor for heroics in Vietnam as it has for valor on the battlefield in Iraq.
On Monday, White House officials announced that they’ll present the Medal of Honor to the family of Army Spc. Leslie H. Sabo Jr. for his heroics during the Vietnam War. It’s the third time since 2007 that the honor will be bestowed decades after that war ended.
The White House has also honored two Korean War heroes over that same span, and six men for heroics in Afghanistan (including three living recipients). Of the 14 Medals of Honor awarded in the last five years, only three have gone to Iraq War heroes.
Critics have charged the Pentagon with being too stingy with the Medal of Honor in recent years, but military officials insist they haven’t changed any of the criteria for the nation’s top military honor.
Only four men have received the medal for actions during the almost nine-year Iraq War. Sabo will be the 249th man recognized with the medal from the Vietnam War.
