Outgoing Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has recommended that two sailors -- likely Navy SEALs -- receive Medals of Honor, as upgrades to previously awarded medals.

Mabus told USA Today in an interview that he made the recommendations as the result of a review of military medals awarded since Sept. 11, 2001.

The sailors weren’t named, and Mabus didn’t specify that they are SEALs. But the Pentagon personnel official in charge of the review reportedly said that the sailors are likely SEALs.

If that’s the case, there’s a decent probability they are San Diego-area SEALs -- as the Navy’s SEAL units are concentrated in three locations, Coronado, Virginia and Hawaii.


The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for bravery in combat. It is awarded for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.”

Nominations are closely investigated for flaws or holes in the battle narrative.

Some observers of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have argued that the Pentagon became too stingy in awarding the top combat medal.

Since January, the Pentagon has been reviewing 100 service crosses and 1,000 Silver Stars awarded during the post-9/11 period — looking for possible upgrades.


The two sailors recommended by Mabus received Navy Crosses, according to USA Today.

The president and the defense secretary must sign off before a Medal of Honor can be awarded.

jen.steele@sduniontribune.com

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Twitter: @jensteeley