Can the President give Captain PHillips some kind of medal? I know he's not US military, but

[CTyankee]

surely there is something that can be awarded to him for his bravery. I hope he and the crew are invited to the White House so the President can thank them personally. It would be great PR, but it would also be very well deserved.

[Captain Hilts]

1. He certainly can. nt

[opihimoimoi]

2. The MEDAL OF COURAGE....I would suggest it....

[Uzybone]

3. Take the one Tenent got and give it to Capt Phillips

[spindrifter]

4. It seems like there are also some very deserving

SEALs out there. Capt. Phillips demonstrated super courage and all the qualities the Merchant Academy can hope for in its graduates.

[apr09]

5. the rescuers, not the captain, deserve a medal

Either that, or the 250 hostages of other countries who are still being held hostages deserve a medal from their countries.

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. The Rescuers will get medals. Count on that. The other 250 hostages deserve apologies

from their countries.

Let's hope that this sends a signal that US flagged ships are off-limits to hijackers, lest they come under fire from some bad motherfuckers (and I mean that in the most respectful way).

Kudos to President Obama for sending them in.

[CTyankee]

7. Well, of course it was a big group effort. And I would agree that the rescuers should also be

honored. But my point is the way the Captain offered himself to save his crew. That is noble.

[zeemike]

8. Not to demean his bravery but

It is a long held tradition that the Captain of the ship protects the life of his crew.
When a ship is sinking the Captain is the last to leave the ship, and any Captain not doing so would never serve again.
it is one of the great maritime traditions.

[Clio the Leo]

9. It's not gonna hurt anything to give him one and based on the reaction of those on the ship..

... who have shouted nothing but praise to the press about their Captian, I'd imagine they'd be all for it.

In doing so, the President would bring attention to a positive thing that "he" did even if all he did was state the obvious.

Captian Phillips deserves whatever Captian Sully got and then some.

[zeemike]

11. you can bet on it.

Part of doing your duty is reward for doing the right thing and he is well deserving of any recognition that he receives.

[CTyankee]

10. Yes, of course you are right. He did what was expected of him and risked his life.

But he is still a very special person in my regard...

[zeemike]

12. Mine too

And you can bet that he never has problems with any crew that serves under him in the future.