Army uses Google Maps to detail MOH awardee's last hours

[Kraddy]

As most probably know, yesterday Obama awarded Staff Sgt. Robert Miller the Medal of Honor for his heroic acts in Gowardesh, Afghanistan.
The Army created a play-by-play video series of SSG Miller's last hours using Google maps.

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller ... scape.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On one hand, it seems a bit inappropriate to reduce a soldier's sacrifices on the battlefield to a few arrows on a map, but it certainly does him more justice than a simple news article. This series of videos definitely tells the story in a new and immersive fashion that could only really be topped by actual video footage in terms of accurate portrayal. Imagine if all who had been awarded the Medal of Honor were able to have their stories told in such detail.

Anyway, I figured I'd share this as I found it to be very inspiring. It is an honor to be able to serve in memory of SSG Miller and all soldiers like him who gave it their all and sacrificed for their comrades and country.

[PocketKings]

Wow. Thanks for sharing. I agree that it can seem a little unworthy to reduce an action to a few pictures and images, but that does more justice than an award citation.

This stuff should be the lead on every news source our there.

[Earthpig]

After seeing the MOH Room in the new Infantry Museum (Ft. Benning), I would imagine that this might become the standard. The MOH Room had a bank of computers, where you could research MOH recipients, read their citations, bio, etc. Having a video to accompany that would really enhance their set up.

RLTW
EP

[KW Driver]

that was the best and most detailed award description I've seen. reading a citation or a narrative for a citation doesn't come close to what was represented here.

that was a good leverage of technology.

and it should absolutely have been put up in the news.

[Slowpoke]

Having a visual to enhanse the dry Citation wording really made SSG Millers actions more easily understood. I thought it was very cool.

[IEDmagnet]

It was a good display, and though I agree it is kind of weird to reduce someones supreme heroism to colored images and animations...it is nice that his heroism is explained in a way that most should be able to understand. God bless that Warrior and his loved ones.

[rgrokelley]

Excellent.
I plan on showing this as my "ice breaker" in class today. Just yesterday I had a kid ask what was the highest award you could get in the Army, and I told the class of the Medal of Honor. Only a few had ever heard of the medal and they thought it was just the name of a video game.

So this will illustrate what it takes a lot better than just reading a citation.