If private security contractor Blackwater Worldwide is having a tough times of things lately, you wouldn't know it from State Department, its customer in Iraq. Last week, State Department renewed the company's personal security contract for one year. There's even a short article this month in the official State Magazine (see page three) lauding the company for its role in helping the Polish Ambassador, who was wounded in an attack last year in Iraq. The article describes a ceremony, with General Petraeus in attendance, where Poland awarded Blackwater contractors medals for their role.
The article says that the Blackwater contractors received Poland's "Bronze and Silver Star medals, the first time these awards have been given to foreigners since World War II."
This is a bright spot for Blackwater, which has otherwise had a rough time of things lately: Gun company H&Kbroke off a prestigious partnership with Blackwater (under pressure from the Green Party in Germany, which has also opposed NATO expansion and nuclear power); Blackwater canceled plans for a West Coast expansion; and it still faces continued controversy over the Nisour Square shootings.
One problem: Poland, so far as I know, doesn't have a Bronze or Silver Star (even the Polish wikipedia page on this award refers back to U.S. military designations). I also scoured the Polish press for mention of this award, and turned up nothing (yes, a little known skill I bring to DANGER ROOM is the ability to read Polish; I can also twirl knives with three fingers).
No, no, I'm not suggesting photoshop, but I am curious for any military/medal buffs out there to help explain what these medals actually were.
[Image: State Department]
Update:
Okay, looks like there's an answer. It's the Medal Wojska Polskiego, which doesn't involve any star, but comes in bronze, silver and gold. It's designed for foreigners or Poles living abroad. There's also an interview in the conservative newspaper, Nasz Dziennik, with the Polish Ambassador, talking about the award, and saying he's alive thanks to Blackwater.
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