A SILVER STAR FOR THE AFGHANISTAN 13

I believe it is past time for military commanders and the President of the United States along with all members of Congress to recommend awarding the 11 brave Marines, 1 Sailor and 1 Soldier the Silver Star for their heroism in protecting Americans and Afghanis against a threatening force 10 times their force by the Taliban during the debacle of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces.

It is awarded for gallantry in action:

While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Actions that merit the Silver Star must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the meet Medal of Honor or a Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross).

These 13 brave military heroes were awarded the Purple Heart posthumously without question but I believe that considering the mission they undertook was fraught with a looming disaster they met an opposing force at least 10 times their strength thus the awarding of a higher medal is not only merited but should be without question deserved.

The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.