A Look At The Case Of Maj. Mathew Golsteyn And The Cancellation Of His Silver Star

Washington Times: Army’s withdrawal of officer’s Silver Star sparks ire of Congress



Green Beret saved soldiers under fire


A group of House lawmakers is moving to strip the armed services’ civilian leaders of the power to revoke combat valor awards in response to Army Secretary John McHugh unilaterally canceling the Silver Star, one of the military’s highest honors, for a former Green Beret officer.


Mr. McHugh took the action against Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, who braved repeated enemy fire in Afghanistan, even though he has not been charged with any offenses. The Army now is seeking to release him with a less-than-honorable discharge. The officer plans to fight the move, his attorney says.


The secretary acted after the CIA informed the Army that Maj. Golsteyn, during a polygraph exam for a job application, told of killing a terrorist who was making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the weapon that has killed more Americans in Afghanistan than any other. The Army also removed Maj. Golsteyn from the elite ranks of the Green Berets.



WNU Editor: I understand on the need for rules of engagement in a war zone .... but U.S. rules of engagement in both Afghanistan and Iraq have reached a level that has made it very difficult for U.S. soldiers to do their job .... and in the case of Maj. Mathew Golsteyn .... has come back to haunt him. Still .... the idea that Army Secretary John McHugh could unilaterally cancel Maj. Mathew Golsteyn's Silver Star .... a medal that he justly earned in Afghanistan .... I find that to be very strange. In the above video Bing West explains the case quite eloquently .... and be prepared to get angry.