Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was awarded the Bronze Star on Friday night for his military service in Afghanistan, his first overseas deployment in nearly 20 years.
The governor received the belated honor Friday in a private ceremony at the governor's mansion. The Washington Post reported It was a moving ceremony.
Moore's former commander, Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel, presented the governor with a bronze star at the ceremony and said, “I'm very happy to be in a position to right this wrong,” the paper said.
The award ceremony was held after Moore wrote on his application that he had received a Bronze Star for his work in 2006, but he never actually received the Bronze Star, the New York Times reported. It took place just a few months after.
Mr Moore said it was an “honest mistake” not to amend the application after the August revelations. But he said the brigade's deputy commander recommended him for the Bronze Star and told him to include the award in his application “after confirming that two other senior officers also agreed to the award.” said.
Fenzel said Friday that he first learned Moore did not win the Bronze Star Award in a Times report in August, the paper said, adding that Fenzel nominated Moore again for the honor. It is said that he carried out the necessary procedures himself. time around.
In an interview with the Post, Fenzel pushed back against suggestions that Moore received special treatment, saying Moore “spent months in a combat zone putting himself at risk.” So if this is special treatment, it's the treatment he deserves. ”
“He won it. It should have happened 20 years ago,” Fenzel said.
The governor's office confirmed the Bronze Star award in an emailed statement but declined further comment.
