Wes Moore Finally Receives Bronze Star After 18 Years

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has officially received a Bronze Star, 18 years after his service in Afghanistan, following a mix-up over the initial processing of the award. The decoration was presented during a private ceremony at the governor's residence in Annapolis, confirmed by the governor's office. Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel, a long-time friend and Moore's former commander, pinned the medal for "meritorious service" on Moore, acknowledging the overdue recognition by saying, "I'm so happy to be in a position to right a wrong."

The controversy originated when Moore included the Bronze Star on a 2006 White House fellowship application, despite the paperwork being in flux at the time. Both men explained that Fenzel had advised Moore to list the award due to prior approval confirmations. However, the paperwork stalled, and although Moore won the fellowship, the medal was never officially granted until now.

After the media reported in August that Moore had claimed the award without receiving it, Fenzel contacted the Army to rectify the omission and gather the necessary approvals from Moore's former superiors. The official citation was signed on November 19, with the news of Moore's award relayed personally by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth at the Army-Navy game on December 14. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)