Controversies - Why Did Dakota Meyer Receive Medal of Honor and Not Juan Rodriguez-Chavez? - AllGov - News

Why Did Dakota Meyer Receive Medal of Honor and Not Juan Rodriguez-Chavez?

Thursday, September 22, 2011
Juan Rodriguez-Chavez
The awarding of the Medal of Honor to Dakota Meyer has raised the issue of why the former U.S. Marine was given the nation’s highest honor while others who participated in the same gallantry did not.
 
On September 8, 2009, Afghan soldiers and American troops were ambushed by 50 insurgents in the Ganjgal valley, and repeatedly radioed in for help. Meyer, along with Staff Sergeant Juan Rodriguez-Chavez, heard what was happening and, defying orders to maintain their positions, jumped into a Humvee and raced into the thick of the battle to rescue those trapped.
 
With Meyer manning the Humvee’s machine gun while Rodriguez-Chavez drove, the men made four trips into the firefight and helped save the lives of 13 American and 23 Afghan troops.
 
But Rodriguez-Chavez was given the Navy Cross, the second-most prestigious valor award for a Navy serviceman or a Marine, not the Medal of Honor.
 
As far as the military was concerned, what separated Meyer’s heroism from Rodriguez-Chavez was the fifth mission Meyer undertook.
 
After learning that three Marines and a Navy corpsman were still missing, Meyer went out on foot to locate the men, leaving him exposed to potential enemy fire. He found the missing men, all of whom were dead, and then helped evacuate the bodies from the area.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
At Medal of Honor Event, the Story Left Untold (by David Nakamura, Washington Post)
'We're Pinned Down:' 4 U.S. Marines Die in Afghan Ambush (by Jonathan S. Landay, McClatchy Newspapers)
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Comments

LCDR Debra Goldstein 6 years ago
Heroism is not something a person sets out to achieve, but an innate reaction to circumstances that arise. This is why most true heros are so humble. Medal of Honor or not Sgt Rodriguez-Chavez is a hero, and role model for future Marines. God bless
RobertM 6 years ago
Scott Little, absolutely right. SSgt Rodriguez knows what he did, his shipmates know what he did and no matter what piece of silk he has on his chest, he will always have the respect of all of his shipmates. And...a Navy Cross is NOTHING to sneeze at!
David Taylor 6 years ago
I met Mr. Rodriguez yesterday. The man is a dedicated Marine who now helps troubled kids get their lives straight out in the Texas badlands. Still to this day serving his country in a quiet, yet powerful way. That's what a real hero is. I'll buy the man a beer if I ever get the chance. God bless America!
Scott Little 6 years ago
You freaking ass hats. Juan, being a fine Marine, could probably give no f*K's about it. He saved his fellows, got a Navy Cross, and carried on. Just like a fine Marine. Ooh Rah!
Mike Spaugy 6 years ago
Join the Mexican Army? Shawn Rice you are as un-American and u educated as any idiot i have ever met. SSGT Chavez voluntarily enlisted in the USMC because he loves his country and so we could go on living as we like in the greatest country on the planet. This man is a hero and you should be proud to call him an American.
Shawn Rice 7 years ago
I am sorry to say this to you, but the Latino soldier received the second-most prestigious valor award for a Navy serviceman or a Marine. And, maybe (just maybe), if he wanted to be acknowledged, he should have joined the Mexican's Army. So There! GO TRUMP! Out With These Barbarians (Like Really)! Keep the F... Out!
Chris 7 years ago
AMERICANS OF MEXICAN ORIGIN SHOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT JOINING THE MARINES. AFTER GUY GALBADON AND RAFAEL PERALTA,NOW, ANOTHER BRAVE LATINO ? ONE CAN CLEARLY SEE THAT A PROBLEM APPEARS TO EXSIST WHEN IT COMES TO RECOGNIZING THE VALOR OF LATINOS IN THE CORPS. Im sorry to say this but, what else is a person to think? Im sure Racism is pprevalent in all branches however, the Marines seem to the lead the way. ALL THREE OF THESE AMERICAN HEROES DESERVE THE MEDAL OF HONOR AND SHOULD RECEIVE IT POSTHUMOUSLY.
Rolando Escobar 7 years ago
Even combat medals are not immune to the whimsical peculiarities of favoritism. In the end combat medals signify the collective effort of those who work behind the desk as well as the failures of politics in high government positions
Noemi Zuniga 12 years ago
hi elena, how are you? please tell rod if bryan hasn't told him for me that cela and i are proud of him. the award is well deserved for he is a humble person.
Joe Ralston 12 years ago
little juan is what we all called him, but i can tell you that then pfc rodriguez-chavez was one of the most hard core marines i had ever had the privilege of serving with, i joe ralston could not be more proud of you my brother. i know that there is medal that can bring our brother's back but know this gunny you i myself and the rest of us from 9 th comm are so proud of you buddy. take care and god bless little juan

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