# Why is Jessica Lynch a hero? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292 "2003-07-23T02:06:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/81 "2003-07-25T10:45:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by msmith537 \* > \*\*Um…yeah. Being a POW doesn’t mean they have to toss you in a concrete cell. \*\* But doesn’t it mean you have to be _taken prisoner_? As opposed to being taken to a hospital? ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/82 "2003-07-25T11:26:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Clucky \* > \*\*I’ll see **Chefguy** ’s bullshit, and raise him, er, more bullshit. > > The Bushies maintained that Saddam Hussein and Al Queda were linked because there was a terrorist training camp in Iraq. The terrorist camp they allege was run by Ansar-al-Islam, which the U.S. has attempted to tie to Al Queda. This group is in the northern no-fly zone in Iraq, which wasn’t under the control of Hussein. > > Is this what you were referring to? \*\* They found another one at the INternation airport there, and one outside of Baghdad. I don’t have sources except I either heard it on Foxnews or CNN. Also, last week or the week before, I heard on the radio that Al Qaeda said they were responsible for some attack on our soldiers.:mad: ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/83 "2003-07-25T11:28:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bluethree \* > \*\*But doesn’t it mean you have to be _taken prisoner_? As opposed to being taken to a hospital? \*\* They captured her. That’s what makes her a POW. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/84 "2003-07-25T11:34:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SenorBeef \* > \*\*Remember that special ops soldier during the opening stages of the war in Afghanistan? > > The helicopter came under fire from the ground, and the pilot had to take radical manuevers to evade - the flight chief almost got knocked out of the helicopter, so the soldier jumped out of his seat, caught the guy, but then fell out himself? > > Falling 30-50 feet (I can’t remember specifically) to the ground with his rifle and some grenades, then _getting up, seeing the enemy force on the ground, and attacking them_ to give cover to the helicopter to escape? IIRC, they caught a lot of that fight on either infrared satellite or a recon drone and he ended up taking down dozens of Taliban soldiers on his own before getting fatally wounded. > > Now that was a hero. > > Anyone remember his name? \*\* WOW ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/85 "2003-07-25T11:39:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF \* > \*\*I remember Petty Officer Roberts falling from the helicopter and being killed during Operation Anaconda. I also remember what Senior Airman Cunningham did to win the Air Force Cross. I started a thread about it, in fact. > > I think you might be mixing the two of them up. But that’s OK. At least you remember that these things happened. \*\* My apologies if I did mix them up - I just wanted to point out that it’s sad that no one knows about some _real_ heros but everyone knows about a private who just managed to get captured and saved. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/86 "2003-07-25T11:55:47Z")
Looking it up, I am referring to Petty Officer Roberts. From [here](http://www.efreedomnews.com/News%20Archive/Afghanistan/Operation%20Anaconda/Neil%20Roberts%20Bronze%20Star.htm) > [@](#): > > The helicopter carrying Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts and other members of his team was not expecting a hot LZ but was struck by three RPG rounds, none of which exploded. However, one entered the passenger compartment and severed a hydraulic line that spewed slippery hydraulic fluid in the passenger bay. Although strapped in, one member of the team fell from the compartment. Roberts unharnessed himself and pulled the team member back in, then slipped out himself, armed only with his pistol. The helicopter took off, not knowing Roberts had fallen. A Predator survellience drone recorded about 60 al-Qaida were in the area. Roberts crawled about 200 feet to hide in a mountain crevice. When a second helicopter returned to rescue Roberts, an al-Qaida machine gun crew opened up on the helicopter. Roberts killed the machine gun crew with his pistol, but in doing so gave away his position and was killed in the ensuing firefight In the account I read, I remember reporting him inflicting tens of casualties - I don’t think my memory is at fault, but it was an early report which may have been in error. In any case, I wanted to clarify who I was talking about and what he did. Charging an MG position with a pistol to cover a friendly helicopter is pure balls - and pure heroism in my book. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/87 "2003-07-25T12:21:12Z")
That sums up my opinion pretty well. If the general reaction is “WOW”, and “That took balls!”, and that person put themselves in danger to help other, THAT is heroism. Scott O’Grady’s case, in my opinion, met the “WOW” requirement and the “That took balls” clause, but he was not doing it (evading capture) to directly benefit others. Ergo, not hero. Pvt. Lynch (what the hell was she still doing as a Private after boot camp and schools and two months in country?) got in a car accident during an ambush and got hurt badly. She was captured by the Iraqi fighters, then moved to a hospital, and then recovered by friendlies. I do readility admit she has a pair a brass ones, the SpecOps called out “We are American Soldiers!” when they enter a room, and she replied, “I am an American Soldier, too!” Balls? Check. Hero? Not even close. ---
**Author:** ![Clucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Clucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clucky)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/88 "2003-07-25T14:14:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kputt \* > \*\*They found another one at the INternation airport there, and one outside of Baghdad. I don’t have sources except I either heard it on Foxnews or CNN. > Also, last week or the week before, I heard on the radio that Al Qaeda said they were responsible for some attack on our soldiers.:mad: \*\* Sorry, gonna have to call bullshit again on your first statement. Quite possible you heard it on Fox or CNN, but they have regularly reported wrong information during this war, never to correct themselves. And, I have no doubt **Al Queda** may be over there attacking our soldiers now. In fact, I’d be surprised if they weren’t. How is that Saddam’s fault? The “coalition forces” are ruling that nation right now. ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/89 "2003-07-25T14:15:16Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by kputt_ > CNN You got a link to a specific story that backs up your claim. No? So you are just talking out of your arse. > [@](#): > > _originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF_ > Whether it was her fault or not, which as a Private could not have been, she was almost killed. It’s good to see that someone nearly dies for your country and you make value judgments on her. Very courageous act on your behalf. She didn’t nearly die for my country. And I didn’t make value judgements on her. I made value judgements on the people using her for proganda. As I said, doing what anyone else would have done in a situation, doing the only thing that could be done doesn’t make someone a hero. > [@](#): > > How was the view on CNN, by the way? Yes, I get it, you went to war, I stayed at home. You’re a hero, I’m a bum. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/90 "2003-07-25T14:21:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gex gex \* > \*\*You got a link to a specific story that backs up your claim. No? So you are just talking out of your arse. > She didn’t nearly die for my country. And I didn’t make value judgements on her. I made value judgements on the people using her for proganda. > > As I said, doing what anyone else would have done in a situation, doing the only thing that could be done doesn’t make someone a hero. > Yes, I get it, you went to war, I stayed at home. You’re a hero, I’m a bum. \*\* No, I never went to war. Also, just because I don’t have a link to the news story on the web doesn’t mean I’m talking out of my rear end. That’s an incorrect statement to make.:smack: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/91 "2003-07-25T14:22:48Z")
oops. I didn’t realize the last statement in gex gex’s post was quoting someone else. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/92 "2003-07-25T17:13:47Z")
She is a hero because we need a hero…A symbol to rally around. She is as heroic as the thousands of kids out there…But she is a cute and spunky kid…all-American girl…symbolic of apple pie, motherhood and all that is good about this country…So she is symbolic of all our kids fighting a war…If she is a rally point for the country and a symbol for the arm forces that is enough for her bronze star (only the Marine’s version of the bronze star is for heroic acts in combat…and she is an Army girl)….Those that bash the poor girl are mean spirited…those that bash the Arm Forces for the way they presented the stories are equally mean spirited…We needed a symbol for a war the world would not support (but which everyone really knew was needed), and Jessica is our symbol…and our hero. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/93 "2003-07-25T18:11:54Z")
What about those who really did give their all in combat? Why are they less worthy of accolade than she is? Tell me that. Why are those who gave their lives charging the enemy less worthy than she is? Why is she a greater hero than is Doors? Where were the big parades for Doors? Why is he a piece of rubbish, to be forgotten? ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/94 "2003-07-25T18:12:34Z")
Cost of doing war billions… Cost of a tomahawk cruise missile…$500 million Cost of seeing Jessica Lynch smile when she got her medal….priceless… We need our hero… ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/95 "2003-07-25T18:28:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*She is a hero because we need a hero…A symbol to rally around. She is as heroic as the thousands of kids out there…But she is a cute and spunky kid…all-American girl…symbolic of apple pie, motherhood and all that is good about this country. > > Those that bash the poor girl are mean spirited…those that bash the Arm Forces for the way they presented the stories are equally mean spirited…We needed a symbol for a war the world would not support (but which everyone really knew was needed), and Jessica is our symbol…and our hero. \*\* So the manufacturing of symbols for simple gratification is not a problem at all? Especially when this symbol blatantly ignores the much more heroic acts of others? We should forget all concerns about fighting this war (concerns which exist even to those in favor of the war) because all of a sudden we have a pretty face to put on it? And who in this thread has been mean to Lynch? All people are doing is questioning the attention being heaped on her, which even she herself is beginning to tire of. And it’s “mean spirited” to question the Armed Forces? So we have to just go along with whatever they say, right? Not like questioning/disagreeing with our government is allowed in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Clucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Clucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clucky)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/96 "2003-07-25T18:40:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*If she is a rally point for the country and a symbol for the arm forces that is enough for her bronze star \*\* While I disagree with your point of view, vigorously, I think you hit the nail on the head for the true reason she was awarded the Bronze Star. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/97 "2003-07-25T21:32:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*Cost of doing war billions… > > Cost of a tomahawk cruise missile…$500 million > > Cost of seeing Jessica Lynch smile when she got her medal….priceless… > > We need our hero… \*\* So where’s the hero? I see a victim getting a medal for having been a victim. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/98 "2003-07-25T22:31:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kputt \* > \*\*They found another one at the INternation airport there, and one outside of Baghdad. I don’t have sources except I either heard it on Foxnews or CNN. \*\* Fox or CNN? You mean Fox, as in Rupert Murdoch, the Republican lapdog? As the song goes, ‘believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear’. As I’m so often told on this board, “I remember hearing…” counts for zero. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/99 "2003-07-26T00:24:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*Cost of doing war billions… > > Cost of a tomahawk cruise missile…$500 million > > Cost of seeing Jessica Lynch smile when she got her medal….priceless… > > We need our hero… \*\* I know you’re only making a joke here, but you’re _way_ off on the cost of a Tomahawk. Thank goodness – war is expensive enough as it is. :rolleyes: The [Raytheon Tomahawk BGM-109 Cruise Missile](http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircraft/jets/cruise-missile/info/info.htm) costs about US$1 million each. Future Tomahawk variations may go for about [$575,000](http://navysite.de/weapons/tomahawk.htm) each. Still damn expensive, but not quite $500 million! ---
**Author:** ![Gumbercules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gumbercules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gumbercules)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292/100 "2003-07-26T04:40:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*She is a hero because we need a hero If you go back and read teh beginning of the post, nobody is saying she isn’t a hero, we are saying she may not deserve the bronze star > [@](#): > > only the Marine’s version of the bronze star is for heroic acts in combat…and she is an Army girl Sorry, 'fraid not. According to the Army _The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party._ In other words, if yer shootin against bad guys and act all heroic and stuff, ya might get this medal. [/QUOTE] Those that bash the poor girl are mean spirited…those that bash the Arm Forces for the way they presented the stories are equally mean spirited…We needed a symbol for a war the world would not support (but which everyone really knew was needed), and Jessica is our symbol…and our hero. \*\* [/QUOTE] I do agree with this, but I think there are many better examples of heroes out there. There may even be one who is cuter than her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jessica-lynch-a-hero/190292.md?page=6)