Col. Alexander Lockett's medal display case includes: A U.S. Distinguished Service Cross (upper left), a U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross (upper right), the gap where the missing (second) U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross was placed (center), and two Bronze Medals (lower left and lower right; tops of the ribbons only).
This episode appears to be based on the increase of medical problems in American military veterans from use of burn pits. For a long time, the US military has disposed of certain waste materials like old uniforms, soiled medical gowns, plastics, cardboard and even damaged electronics by burning them in pits on bases. This practice was especially used heavily starting in 2001 with the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Joint Base Balad, the largest US military base in Iraq, had a massive burn bit 10 acres in size, the base would burn an average of 400 tons of solid waste per day. Personnel stationed at the base reported that the wind often blew the smoke from the burn pit into the base, people reported that ash would cover everything including their beds. Personnel also reported symptoms like headaches and breathing difficulty when exposed to the smoke, after leaving the service an increase in chronic illnesses was seen in them. Prior to 2022 the VA denied 75% of claims based off burn pit smoke exposure, claims for chronic illnesses like asthma, migraines and even cancer were often denied because they were "not properly reported at the time" and due to "lack of scientific evidence regarding burn pit smoke exposure". In 2009 President Obama ordered studies to be done on the health effects of exposure to this smoke, a number of studies did indeed show that exposure to this smoke could cause respiratory issues like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Other studies showed that exposure also could cause high blood pressure, low sperm count, reproductive harm and increased the risk of certain types of brain and lung cancer. Starting in 2022 the VA acknowledged the validity of these studies, after denying them for years, and began accepting claims of disability and chronic illness from veterans stationed at bases with burn pits. And while the Department of Defense has not yet prohibited the use of burn pits most bases of scaled back their use and begun using other methods of waste disposal.
The Army Distinguished Service Cross, along with the Air Force Cross, Coast Guard Cross and Navy Cross is the second highest military decoration in the United States, second only to the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who: "distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism, not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States".
The Distinguished Flying Cross is the sixth highest military decoration and is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who "Distinguishes themselves by showing heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight".
The Bronze Star is the eighth highest military decoration and is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces for "Heroic or meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone". If the Bronze Star is awarded for a heroic act during combat it is also awarded with a combat V-device, which consists of a bronze capital "V" worn on the medal's ribbon and on the service ribbon.
The Distinguished Flying Cross is the sixth highest military decoration and is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who "Distinguishes themselves by showing heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight".
The Bronze Star is the eighth highest military decoration and is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces for "Heroic or meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone". If the Bronze Star is awarded for a heroic act during combat it is also awarded with a combat V-device, which consists of a bronze capital "V" worn on the medal's ribbon and on the service ribbon.
A guilty verdict in a court martial that results in a dishonorable discharge is equivalent to a felony conviction in a civilian court. A dishonorable discharge carries the same life-long consequences as a felony conviction including: loss of military benefits and pension, loss of VA benefits, not qualifying for unemployment, loss of the right to vote and the right to purchase and/or carry a firearm, and it makes getting a job more difficult.