My medal group

[Doc Wilson]

I haven't had them mounted... yet because I am pending the outcome of a Purple Heart finding. Traumatic Brain injury cases take a long time to resolve and mine is four years old.

Army Commendation Medal ( 2nd award with V device for Valor), Army achievement Medal (4th Award), Good Conduct medal (2nd Award), RC ARNG Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), OEF/Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/Bronze Campaign Star), GWOT Service Medal, French Medaille de la Defense Nationale, bronze.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Doc Wilson

[Doc Wilson]

Also here is my Shadowbox

I have yet to add my Rank ... waiting for the offical Military Medical Retirement ( I am at 100% disability with the Veterans Administration) I was when discharged and E5-promatable ( Sergeant) There was a rumor that I may have my E6 ( staff sergeant) with retroactive date of rank. Also I finally received my WLC course completion certificate now I can put my NCO develpoment ribbon on the rack. Further I have the orders now for our Joint Meritorious Unit Citation for my last tour in Afghanistan. So it is a work in progress.

The coin you see is from the Sergeant Major of the United States Army.... I recieved it while in training in Vilseck Germany. the Two St. Micheal medallions on the right are from the 508th and the bottom one was worn by a very close french brother from the 3 Cie, 1er RPIMa pseudonym or Nom de guerre- "Souston".

My two combat patches and battalions I served in combat with are on the left 1st/508th Parachute Infantry ( when they were with the 173rd Airborne) and 1st/504th Parachute Infantry ( when with the 82nd Airborne).

If you want to see my OEF photos http://s932.photobucket.com/albums/ad167/Vaughan_Wilson/OEF/ is the link my photobucket... Many of the photos I can't put online due to the graphic nature.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Doc Wilson

[army historian]

Great group Doc, Good Luck on the Purple Heart (sounds like you really earned it). Cheers Captain Albert

[Paul L Murphy]

Doc,

How did you qualify for the French National Defense Medal ? I did not realise that they gave it to allied forces.

Regards,

Paul

[Doc Wilson]

Doc,

How did you qualify for the French National Defense Medal ? I did not realise that they gave it to allied forces.

Regards,

Paul

I really don't know how I "qualified" ... there are several Officers and NCO during my tour that worked closely with 1erRPIMa (French SF) off the top of my head : a Battalion Commander and his CSM, the S3, a Capt and myself. All received French awards the same day... I was working with them for 7 months. Most of the guys who earned them now are American's attached the French Embedded Training Teams for the Afghan National Army.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Doc Wilson

[Paul L Murphy]

Interesting. Many thanks for the extra details.

[Doc Wilson]

Interesting. Many thanks for the extra details.

These days it is a fairly common sight with anyone who has shared battle space with french forces.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Doc,

How did you qualify for the French National Defense Medal ? I did not realise that they gave it to allied forces.

Regards,

Paul

I am guessing that is new.

It used to be that it could be awarded under exceptional circumstances to someone who did a service to the army, i.e. a civilian saving a soldiers life is an example that comes to mind.

I assume that with the closer working together the French realized that they did not have an award to give to allies.

During desert storm the US Unit attached to our regiment gave out some Bronze stars to guys in our unit... unfortunately there were no medals on from the French side to even it out.

Maybe the Defence National has had a paragraph added to the statute.

[Ulsterman]

OK- I gotta ask-how did you NOT get an air medal?

[Doc Wilson]

OK- I gotta ask-how did you NOT get an air medal?

I was a ground pounder I had 3 years prior infantry.... So naturally my branch detailer thought I would stay with the infantry ( several years in Parachute Infantry units 75th,508th/173rd, 504th/82nd) I did 26 months as a rifle platoon and rifle company senior medic in Bco / 508th, 12 months as a B trauma team leader in the HHC/504th, and 6 months as an ambulance aide/driver HHC/ 508th. My Time at the 75th was with the fwd trauma team at HHC ( they were involved in the POW rescue in the early iraq war 2003) . My next assignment was to go to the Aero -Medevac Company in Germany. After that I was going to find a coushie assignment in the schoolhouse or Civil Affairs.

I think you had to have about 4 months of continuous flight or 30+ Air missions under fire. My PA got a Air medal V for a couple of nighttime meddevac mission under fire...... he and I where the same age and good friends... I was be his instructor for ACLS, PHTLS and BCLS. I rubbed it in his face my ARCOM V was for actually shooting back at the Taliban and treating casualties.... he laughed and point to his combat jump star ( Panama 1/75th 1989).... and said "match that" .. I skulked away

[Doc Wilson]

I don't understand the criteria for the medal.... but my achievements with them were significant... I was their medic on many missions... Spin Boldak and a few other places... I am just very proud of it.

I am guessing that is new.

It used to be that it could be awarded under exceptional circumstances to someone who did a service to the army, i.e. a civilian saving a soldiers life is an example that comes to mind.

I assume that with the closer working together the French realized that they did not have an award to give to allies.

During desert storm the US Unit attached to our regiment gave out some Bronze stars to guys in our unit... unfortunately there were no medals on from the French side to even it out.

Maybe the Defence National has had a paragraph added to the statute.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I don't understand the criteria for the medal.... but my achievements with them were significant... I was their medic on many missions... Spin Boldak and a few other places... I am just very proud of it.

Hi, and with just cause. I think it is seldom seen.

But as medal collectors we need to nail the technicalities of this....

Will for ward the link to Bison, he is in Afghanistan right now and can seldom log in, but he may be able to comment.

[Doc Wilson]

Hi, and with just cause. I think it is seldom seen.

But as medal collectors we need to nail the technicalities of this....

Will for ward the link to Bison, he is in Afghanistan right now and can seldom log in, but he may be able to comment.

I would say in my time i saw it awarded about 11 times in a 12 month period. it pretty much is a gimmie if you do time in a battle space with the french.

[Chris Boonzaier]

From what I can find, awarding the DN to foreign troops serving with the French is based on a decree from 2004, before that date it was not possible.

I am guessing the long term working relationship in Afghanistan was the motive behind this new regulation.

Does the US Army have to give an authorisation?

Best

Chris

[IrishGunner]

Does the US Army have to give an authorisation?

Yes, under US law one must seek permission from the appropriate department (in this case the Department of the Army) in order to accept and wear a foreign award as an official decoration. It's usually a routine personnel action.

Edited October 22, 2010 by IrishGunner

[Chris Boonzaier]

Yes, under US law one must seek permission from the appropriate department (in this case the Department of the Army) in order to accept and wear a foreign award as an official decoration. It's usually a routine personnel action.

Thats pretty good.

I wonder how it is with the British.... usually they are not allowed to wear stuff from foreign Govts.

Although as these are individual awards and not dished out en masse, maybe they would OK these as well.

[Doc Wilson]

Yes, under US law one must seek permission from the appropriate department (in this case the Department of the Army) in order to accept and wear a foreign award as an official decoration. It's usually a routine personnel action.

Actually there is a blanket authorization now .... I will find it in the AR 600-8-22 I think the amendment was in 2004-2005 for universal authorization of the award ( Back in 2006 I had to dig it up to wear my medal). It was listed under the AGO of the AKO HRC messages.

anyway the award certificates ( not the DA 638s) are located at the end of my OEF photobucket http://s932.photobucket.com/albums/ad167/Vaughan_Wilson/OEF/

Edited October 22, 2010 by Doc Wilson

[Harvey]

Congrats, Doc! An impressive documentation of years of faithful service.

Doesn't seem like you need to wait for the Purple Heart to get them mounted. If memory serves, Army regs state that medals are mounted no more than 4 abreast. So you could mount the two rows as-is and then put the PH on top as a single.

Had never seen a French award to a U.S. servicemember before - but had seen a Marine Major (AH-1W Cobra pilot) awarded a British Distinguished Flying Cross a few years back for services rendered in support of a Brit unit in Iraq.

[speagle]

Finally got around to asking my daughter to take a pic of my shadow box. I did receive a couple more since I put this together but just haven't made time to add them. anyway, her ya go;)

The crests are what the Security Police used to wear on their berets.

Ed

[Paul R]

Thank you for your service over there. I know that it is not an easy tour. I know that the "V" on your ARCOM says it all.

Also, I know how the military is about the Purple Heart and certain head injuries. I am confident that you will end up getting your Purple Heart.

Your medal bar is the first modern one with a French Medal. Cool stuff.

When were you supposed to be advance to SSGT? You are lucky if the Army allows you to advance. In my branch, if someone was on a list to be advanced and they were injured or wounded, their advancement would be placed on hold until or if they were cleared for duty. If they were medical boarded out, they would never see the advancement. The CG's view is that we are being advanced to fill our next billet.

There is a specific thread for folks to post their personal awards! Could you please post these there?

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9791&pid=434952&st=320&#entry434952

[Doc Wilson]

Thank you for your service over there. I know that it is not an easy tour. I know that the "V" on your ARCOM says it all.

Also, I know how the military is about the Purple Heart and certain head injuries. I am confident that you will end up getting your Purple Heart.

Your medal bar is the first modern one with a French Medal. Cool stuff.

When were you supposed to be advance to SSGT? You are lucky if the Army allows you to advance. In my branch, if someone was on a list to be advanced and they were injured or wounded, their advancement would be placed on hold until or if they were cleared for duty. If they were medical boarded out, they would never see the advancement. The CG's view is that we are being advanced to fill our next billet.

There is a specific thread for folks to post their personal awards! Could you please post these there?

http://gmic.co.uk/in...20

My paper work is buried some where at HRC ... I passed the oral board at battalion and was on the list to advance ... I had 773 points, at the time you need 789 to advance ... I don't know if the retirement board will advance me or not. My case is still waiting to be be seen . The medical exam and corroboration is complete. You know the military is.

I will post my stuff there.,..

Doc Wilson

Edited January 14, 2011 by Doc Wilson