[Warrior-Mentor]

Once more, Shanley, facing death, crawled to key positions shouting encouragement while carrying the badly wounded back to the fourth trench line. His ear and nose were bleeding from the concussion of grenades. He had shrapnel wounds on his chest, arms and legs. There were NVA bodies everywhere; some piled three and four deep. To consolidate, Shanley moved his men back to the third and fourth trench lines.

With the rising sun came the end of the battle. Shanley lost a dozen men killed in action. Virtually every member of the platoon was wounded. But they had held the line, and Khe Sanh was safe.

Men in Shanley’s platoon that I have interviewed felt that their platoon leader justly deserved the Medal of Honor. The facts were not only undeniable, but the legendary photographer, David Douglas Duncan, captured them in photographs in Life Magazine.

The oversight of failing to recognize Don Shanley’s heroism troubles me to this day. I wasn’t at Khe Sanh. In fact, I have only met Don Shanley on one occasion. But I know what my brothers in arms have told me about this remarkable man and how he lived his life on this remarkable night. In fact, had Shanley’s platoon not held their ground, Khe Sanh would have been lost and hundreds of Americans killed.

I know that Don Shanley has paid a terrible price. In a narrow way, he never reached his potential as a Stanford graduate. Rather than become a man of letters or a prominent business leader, he retreated into the outer reaches of Elk, California where he established a small landscaping business. In his heart, Don Shanley knows that only a small number of men will ever come to appreciate what he did for his country. In some ways, that is enough. But it is unjust that this nation has failed to take full measure of this great man.

I ask that this Committee work with me to rectify this great injustice. Don Shanley should be awarded the Medal of Honor. The vision of this man comes into my mind as I contemplate the many that served so well with so little in return. As I look back to Khe Sanh, not a single Marine was awarded the Medal of Honor for service there. Hundreds of Marines gave their lives, only to see the base abandoned. For those lost, God was their witness and He held them in His arms as they breathed their last breath.

Brian Chontosh

I would be remiss if I did not mention Brian Chontosh, a true hero from the present War on Terror. Chontosh is an example of a Marine who has yet to receive the credit that is due him. He is the kind of warrior who, in years past, would have received a ticker-tape parade down Fifth Avenue.

As a young lieutenant in 2003, he and his platoon were ambushed near Baghdad. Machine gun fire, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades spewed from every direction. Lieutenant Chontosh ordered his Humvee directly into an enemy machine-gun position, where his gunner destroyed the nest. He then advanced on a trench, where he exited his vehicle and scattered enemy fighters. After his ammunition was depleted, he twice picked up an enemy’s rifle and continued firing.

By the time the smoke cleared, Lieutenant Chontosh had killed more than 20 insurgents and saved the lives of dozens in his platoon. For his incredible courage, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest award given to Marines. Second highest? I am pledged to work to correct what clearly is an error in judgment.

Recommendations

My recommendations are intended to streamline the current awards process so that Medals of Honor can be awarded in close proximity in time to the heroic event. Further, I wish to see efforts made that adequately acknowledge the heroic accomplishments that simply are overlooked at present.

My proposals should not be taken as criticism of the Department of Defense or the military services.

Also, it is important that the integrity of field commanders manage the war fighting process and that awards do not become a bureaucratic hindrance.

I am certain that the individuals involved in the process of reviewing cases for the Medal of Honor only wish to protect the integrity of the award, a goal that I embrace.

The recommendations that follow below are meant as general guidelines not as strict standards. Those making important decisions should operate under realistic timeframes.

My suggestions:

First, any posthumous award for valor should be granted within seven days of death arising from wounds received in combat in cases where this is possible and where the integrity of the award can be preserved.

Second, the award of a Medal of Honor to a living member of the military should be granted within 30 days of the return of the individual from the theater of operations.

Third, in cases involving previous military action dating back several years, an award decision should be made within one year of the beginning of consideration.

Fourth, any review process by the Department of Defense in Washington should include both combat experienced officers and enlisted service members.

May we work together to see that our warriors are properly and promptly recognized for service above and beyond the call of duty? Equally important, let us preserve the integrity of our medals of valor. In so doing, we will bring honor to all of the men and women who wear the uniforms of this great nation.

Mr. Chairman, I began by saying that we must appropriately recognize courage as a building block for sustaining this nation. Without courage, we have nothing. I hope that this Committee will find the message that I have brought today useful in its understanding of a critical national security issue. In closing, it has been a privilege to address this hearing.