Soldier gets Silver Star, reprimand for same battle

This should leave all of us wondering what is going on when one moment, Capt. Myer was a hero worthy of a Silver Star and then blamed for the attack.

Soldier gets Silver Star, reprimand for same battle
By Mike Mount, CNN Senior Pentagon Producer
March 12, 2010 7:49 p.m. EST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Army Capt. Matthew Myer has Silver Star from actions during a Taliban attack
Letter of reprimand criticizes him for allowing attack to take place
Two of his superior officers also receive letters of reprimand
Site of attack was at bottom of a valley surrounded by high hills

Washington (CNN) -- A U.S. Army officer who was honored for valor after his combat outpost in Afghanistan was attacked has also received a letter of reprimand for failing to secure the base before the attack, according to Army officials. Such a letter normally would prevent career advancement.

U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Myer received the Silver Star for his part in repelling a Taliban attack on his small combat outpost in eastern Afghanistan in July 2008.

The attack, near the village of Wanat, is still the deadliest ground combat of the war involving U.S. troops. A coordinated Taliban attack from the steep hills surrounding the base almost resulted in the outpost being overrun.

According to troops who survived, the Taliban came at the base with about 200 fighters, outnumbering the U.S. forces at the base. In the end nine soldiers were killed and 12 were wounded. About 100 Taliban were killed.

Despite the heavy U.S. death toll, Myer was awarded the Silver Star for calling in aircraft to beat back the fighters, some of whom had breached the base walls, according to U.S. military officials in Afghanistan.
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Soldier gets Silver Star, reprimand for same battle