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The Virginian-Pilot
Editor's note: The Navy Cross is the nation's second-highest award for bravery in facing an enemy. James Webb has refused to use it in his campaign. We are publishing it with our endorsement of him because we believe it testifies to his character.
The Navy Cross is presented to James H. Webb, Jr., First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 10 July 1969, while participating in a company-sized search and destroy operation deep in hostile territory, First Lieutenant Webb's platoon discovered a well-camouflaged bunker complex which appeared to be unoccupied. Deploying his men into defensive positions, First Lieutenant Webb was advancing to the first bunker when three enemy soldiers armed with hand grenades jumped out.
Reacting instantly, he grabbed the closest man and, brandishing his .45 caliber pistol at the others, apprehended all three of the soldiers.
Accompanied by one of his men, he then approached the second bunker and called for the enemy to surrender. When the hostile soldiers failed to answer him and threw a grenade which detonated dangerously close to him, First Lieutenant Webb detonated a claymore mine in the bunker aperture, accounting for two enemy casualties and disclosing the entrance to a tunnel.
Despite the smoke and debris from the explosion and the possibility of enemy soldiers hiding in the tunnel, he then conducted a thorough search which yielded several items of equipment and numerous documents containing valuable intelligence data. Continuing the assault, he approached a third bunker and was preparing to fire into it when the enemy threw another grenade.
Observing the grenade land dangerously close to his companion, First Lieutenant Webb simultaneously fired his weapon at the enemy, pushed the Marine away from the grenade, and shielded him from the explosion with his own body.
Although sustaining painful fragmentation wounds from the explosion, he managed to throw a grenade into the aperture and completely destroy the remaining bunker.
By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Webb upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Allen Has Poor Character
Reading the details of Webb's Navy Cross I see a cool-headed leader who risked his own life several times, in spite of injury, to protect his men and accomplish his mission. Looking at the details of his post-war life I see a man who donated his time to clear a soldier's name, who resigned from a position of power over a matter of principle, who put himself in harm's way as a correspondent in 1980s Beirut, and on combat patrols in Afghanistan. A man who has sought the truth and reported it through his articles and books, no matter how unpleasant.
Contrast this to George Allen. What stories of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty do we hear about him? What has he ever done that did not involve political and financial gain? When has he ever spoken truth to power?
Now when George Allen speaks, he utters slanders and half truths, knowingly misrepresents fiction as fact, and literary narratives as illuminative of the author's character. His actions are craven and low. Vote Webb.
a real hero
In the interest of fairness, the Va-Pilot should publish the brave combat record of George Allen. Oh I forgot, he doesn't have one.
no love ones in iraq
he has a son in iraq,then he has put his money where his mouth is.i bet if allen, bush and drake had a child over there, they wouldn't want to stay the course.virginia was the capitol of the confederacy,and i think it still wants to be.we live in a different time now and we want let that happen again.let's get our youth involved in this movement against hatred and intolerance by the so called christian conservatives.afterall they will inherit this mess.
Character counts...
In all fairness Jim Webb's opponent is quite the "character" himself.
The record speaks for itself
Webb served as a Marine in Vietnam where he was awarded a Navy Cross, Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. He served as counsel to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, and Secretary of the Navy.
Sen. Allen has never served in the military. According to an independent evaluation by the Retired Enlisted Association, Allen supported their interests 0% of the time in 2004. According to another independent evaluation by the Disabled American Veterans, Allen supported their interests 0% of the time in 2004 and 50% of the time in 2005.
On the basis of this objective information, I trust that military personnel, veterans, and their families will be able to decide which candidate will best represent them in the Senate.