Rabbi Yosef Todd, Director of Pirchei Shoshanim an Endorser of Chaplains to the Department of Defense, has announced an initiative to save the Silver Star of West Point graduate United States Army Major Matthew Golsteyn.
On Nov 17, 2014 the Secretary of the Army John Mchugh notified Major Golsteyn that his silver Star awarded to him in March of 2011 was being revoked along with his Special Forces Tab, Pirchei Shoshanim tells TLS. Golsteyn, in an incredible act of heroism in Afghanistan in early 2011 who was then a Captain, was in charge of a battalion of over 500 U.S. Army Troops as well as Afghan Nationals. To the North of his group was a battalion of over 200 U.S. Marines who he was as well in charge of. There were snipers in a force of over 200 Taliban who had the entire unit pinned down.
Golsteyn, by himself, took a bulldozer and took out the Sniper while standing up to the fire of the Taliban, Pirchei Shoshanim says. He called for Air Force assistance and in essence saved his platoon and the accompanying Marines while putting his life in danger while under extraordinary fire. His men recommended him for the Silver Star which was then awarded to him in March of 2011.
After a 3 year investigation on an unrelated matter no charges were ever brought against the now Major Golsteyn, yet he was notified that his Silver Star was to be revoked absent any dispute on his part, Pirchei Shoshanim says. Major Golsteyn disputed this action.
“Pirchei Shoshanim along with other D.O.D. endorsers of thousands of Chaplains in the Military feel that such an action undermines the Spirit and Trust of its Military in their Command,” Pirchei Shoshanim said. As a result Pirchei Shoshanim is putting its support and urging its Network of friends and Students to back the initiative of Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) who is introducing legislation that would prohibit the Secretary of a Military department from revoking any combat valor award.
” It is critical that war fighters who have achieved distinction on the battlefield not have their valor awards revoked by a service secretary or another political appointee. In a time when our military’s morale is in steep decline, this legislation is a significant step toward restoring it by ensuring that our war fighters’ valorous actions won’t be overturned for the wrong reasons. This legislation is being introduced to and through the House Armed Services Committee.”
“Rabbi Dovid Becker, [email protected], who is in charge of Pirchei Shoshanim Chaplaincy Support is spearheading an effort directed at all Jewish Organizations, Synagogues and voters to make them aware of this outrageous action and to call upon all these members to notify their local Congressman and Senators that this legislation should be passed by both Houses. In addition Pirchei Shoshanim is asking all Readers of this release to Contact Peter Davidson the Military Attaché of the Honorable Congressman Duncan Hunter who is a staunch supporter of Israel and a Marine Combat Veteran as well to show their support.”
Pirchei Shoshanim’s strategic partner, Chaplain Col Dr. Ron Crews, a U.S. Army retired veteran of 28 years and Executive Director of the Chaplain Alliance as well as the Endorsing Agent of Grace Churches International, will as well be coordinating this effort with Church Organizations around the Country to partner in backing this legislation.
UPDATE: Pirchei Shoshanim provided the following information:
CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH http://chrissmith.house.gov/contact/
SENATOR MENENDEZ http://www.menendez.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR CORY BOOKER http://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=contact
CONGRESSMAN DUNCAN HUNTER JR. https://hunter.house.gov/contact-me/email-me
[TLS]
So what did he do that warranted this action by the military to revoke his star?
Plz post names & contact info for our local congressman so we can encourage them to pass this. Its a nerve that a politician sitting behind a desk, whose only combat he ever saw was cutting off ppl on line at his local supermarket, decides about awards in combat, under fire. The NERVE !!
I would also like to know what caused the military to revoke the star?
Someone needs to check their facts before writing an article like this, first a Captain would not be in charge of a Battalion, second it states he saved his platoon. Captains are mostly in charge of a Company sized unit. Awards are recommended by your superiors not your men. There is not enough information or facts given to complain. There is much m,ore to the story than what is given. The military doesn’t just revoke an award unless it was given under false pretenses.
It saddens me to say that it seems that our government excels at demeaning heroes and glorifying villains.
“ הוֹי הָאֹמְרִים לָרַע טוֹב, וְלַטּוֹב רָע: שָׂמִים חֹשֶׁךְ לְאוֹר וְאוֹר לְחֹשֶׁךְ, שָׂמִים מַר לְמָתוֹק וּמָתוֹק לְמָר.הוֹי, חֲכָמִים בְּעֵינֵיהֶם; וְנֶגֶד פְּנֵיהֶם, נְבֹנִים. הוֹי גִּבּוֹרִים לִשְׁתּוֹת יָיִן; וְאַנְשֵׁי-חַיִל, לִמְסֹךְ שֵׁכָר. מַצְדִּיקֵי רָשָׁע, עֵקֶב שֹׁחַד; וְצִדְקַת צַדִּיקִים, יָסִירוּ מִמֶּנּוּ.”
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
but deny justice to the innocent”
Thus is only half the story. Its not faur to ask us to complain if we dont know why its being revoked.