# Give that man a medal! US soldier takes bullet for UK officer **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046 "2014-08-20T22:38:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/1 "2014-08-20T22:38:09Z")
From the [Daily Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11039468/Reservist-took-assassins-bullets-for-British-colonel.html): > [@](#): > > A British Army colonel’s life was saved by a US soldier who jumped in front of an assassin’s hail of bullets, it has been reported. According to [Wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorized_foreign_decorations_of_the_United_States_military#United_Kingdom), we’re allowed to give you some medals. Details are severely lacking, but at least a [DSC](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinguished_Service_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) seems in order, and [VC](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Cross) is not out of expectation. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/2 "2014-08-20T23:02:19Z")
Neither. I believe you have to be British or Commonwealth to get either of those. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/3 "2014-08-20T23:11:33Z")
The only Victoria Cross awarded to an American was given to the Unknown Soldier in 1921. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/4 "2014-08-21T08:51:52Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Neither. I believe you have to be British or Commonwealth to get either of those. Americans are allowed to receive them, per Wiki. > [@Loach](#): > > The only Victoria Cross awarded to an American was given to the Unknown Soldier in 1921. That was a diplomatic _quid pro quo_. Besides, it sets a precedent. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/5 "2014-08-21T09:13:36Z")
There is no requirement that a recipient of the Victoria Cross be of any particular nationality personally, but the [royal warrant](http://www.victoriacross.co.uk/vcrules.html) does currently restrict it to members of forces that owe allegiance to the Queen. (Which isn’t exactly an insurmountable barrier, as it can be changed by royal (i.e. government) fiat.) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/6 "2014-08-21T10:02:22Z")
Victoria’s a bit out of date. She’s been dead for, what, over a century, right? How about you blokes and chappies strike an Elizabeth II Cross, and award the inaugural one to the Yank? ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/7 "2014-08-21T10:32:41Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > There is no requirement that a recipient of the Victoria Cross be of any particular nationality personally, but the [royal warrant](http://www.victoriacross.co.uk/vcrules.html) does currently restrict it to members of forces that owe allegiance to the Queen. (Which isn’t exactly an insurmountable barrier, as it can be changed by royal (i.e. government) fiat.) Well, I think he deserves it. The most surprising thing about the story was he was just a reservist and yet he showed such bravery. He is also a techworker, and it’ll be cool if a nerd is honoured with the first American victoria cross in 93 years ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/8 "2014-08-21T10:58:48Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Victoria’s a bit out of date. She’s been dead for, what, over a century, right? How about you blokes and chappies strike an Elizabeth II Cross, and award the inaugural one to the Yank? Because there’s already an [Elizabeth Cross](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cross). ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/9 "2014-08-21T11:31:24Z")
How about a lifetime supply of oatmeal stout? ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/10 "2014-08-21T11:41:18Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > How about a lifetime supply of oatmeal stout? I was thinking along those same lines. I’m sure the colonel would stand for several rounds at a local pub. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/11 "2014-08-21T17:23:25Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Because there’s already an [Elizabeth Cross](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cross). She certainly appears cross[here](http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/13/queen-bombay-mix-party-food-guide). ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/12 "2014-08-21T18:29:51Z")
None of the other major news organizations seem to be picking it up. Maybe they are waiting for official investigations from the two militaries. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/13 "2014-08-22T07:51:46Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Because there’s already an [Elizabeth Cross](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cross). All awarded posthumously, eh? Yah, I guess I could see him not wanting one of those. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/14 "2014-08-22T10:56:21Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > All awarded posthumously, eh? Yes, it’s the medal for war widows and war widowers. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-man-a-medal-us-soldier-takes-bullet-for-uk-officer/696046/15 "2014-08-22T11:13:16Z")
Should you feel so moved, the person to whom to write is the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon, and his email address is [michael.fallon.mp@parliament.uk](mailto:michael.fallon.mp@parliament.uk)