The Conservative Cave
Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: TheSarge on September 15, 2008, 02:01:17 PM
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BAGHDAD, Sept. 15, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today recognized Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker, a military-and-civilian team the secretary said has transformed Iraq.
Before a dinner in their honor today, Gates presented Petraeus with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and presented Crocker with the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service – the department's highest civilian award.
Gates said he has never seen a better military-civilian team in his 42 years of government service.
“Under their leadership, Iraq has been utterly transformed,†the secretary said. “Their individual leadership and accomplishments are stunning, and also self-evident.â€
Petraeus turns over command of Multinational Force Iraq to Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno tomorrow. The general took over command in Baghdad in February 2007, when the country seemed to be on the brink of civil war. Coalition servicemembers were taking high casualties, and the Iraqi people were under attack from al-Qaida in Iraq, criminal groups and Iranian-backed illegal militias.
He leaves to take over U.S. Central Command with the level of violence in the country reduced by 80 percent.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51185
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Not as familiar with Crocker's role, but the award for Petraeus is well-earned.
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Not as familiar with Crocker's role, but the award for Petraeus is well-earned.
He earned it just for having to hear the Hildabeast say the words, "willing suspension of disbelief."