Ron DeSantis, the current governor of Florida, is a highly respected politician known for his dedication and service to his country.
One of the notable achievements in his military career was being awarded the prestigious Bronze Star.
This honor is not easily attained and is only bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional bravery, valor, and selflessness during their time in combat.
And it is only normal and logical for DeSantis to wonder, why did Ron Desantis get a bronze star? You are in the right place if you are looking for an answer to this question.
Later, we’ll discuss the reasons behind why Ron DeSantis received this esteemed accolade and much more. Continue reading to the end to learn more.
Why Did Ron DeSantis Get A Bronze Star?
DeSantis was awarded a bronze star medal for meritorious service from October 2007 to April 2008. This is a medal for completing the service to the US military within the given time without any disciplinary concerns or desertion.
He was a Navy JAG helping with legal matters in one of the bloodiest wars the US has fought. He served in the US Army and played a pivotal role with SEAL Team One during the war on terrorism in the Iraq military surge.
DeSantis Role With The Navy SEALS
DeSantis had a complicated role in the military that makes most people assume he was a Navy SEAL.
He has decided to use his military service as a significant talking point for his political campaigns, so naturally, public interest in the matter has grown.
There isn’t a shortage of images on the internet that make it apparent that DeSantis served, but what was his role in deployment? Let’s take a closer look and find out;
DeSantis did serve in the Navy. A whole page on his campaign website is dedicated to his Navy career. It has a video and references to his time “advising Seal Team 1.” The section refers to DeSantis’ deployment to Iraq as a SEAL team advisor.
For years, a photo of the Florida native posing in front of a “bone frog” painting has been circulating online. SEALs are called “frogmen,” and the bone frog has become a symbol of fallen teammates.
DeSantis appears to have initially shared the photo of himself with the bone frog backdrop to Facebook in 2012, during his successful candidacy for Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
In 2007, DeSantis did deploy with SEALs. The photograph was most likely taken at that time. However, DeSantis was not a SEAL. During the US troop surge in Iraq in 2007, DeSantis served as legal counsel to a SEAL commander.
DeSantis obtained a law degree from Harvard University after graduating from Yale University in 2001. He received a commission in the US Navy’s JAG Corps while there.
DeSantis served in the Navy as a JAG, or judge advocate general, from 2004 through 2010. JAG officers are attorneys well-versed in civilian and military law, ranging from the Uniform Code of Military Justice through international treaties.
In 2007, sectarian extremists killed over 3,000 Iraqis every month. Approximately 30,000 US troops were deployed to Iraq during “the surge” to quell insurgencies, improve security, and stabilize the country.
During his tour, DeSantis advised Capt. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Dane Thorleifson, the SEAL commander for Special Operations Task Force-West in Fallujah, Iraq, on the legal status of special operations missions in the region.
The letters “TF-W” may be seen in the photo of DeSantis with the bone frog backdrop, presumably an abbreviation for “SOTF-W,” or Special Operations Task Force-West.
DeSantis served with the SOTF-W during the Al Anbar Awakening. This is known as one of the bloodiest periods of the conflict. US troops launched near-constant operations against terrorists in Al Anbar, a western Iraqi province.
The Army’s 82nd Airborne Division captured the land when Baghdad fell.
The Florida Phoenix uncovered public papers about DeSantis’ military service in the run-up to the 2018 election. According to the news outlet, DeSantis deployed in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula “around 2007 and 2008.”
DeSantis’ responsibilities, according to the Florida Phoenix, were “special operations, special reconnaissance, intelligence, and foreign internal defence operations.”
DeSantis co-founded LSAT Freedom with two law school buddies, advertised as “the only LSAT prep courses designed exclusively by Harvard Law School graduates” by one of the other co-founders.
Before running for Congress in 2012, DeSantis worked as a litigator at the Miami-based law firm Holland & Knight.
His tenure in the Navy Reserve concluded in February 2019, a month after his inauguration as governor, with the rank of lieutenant commander.
DeSantis’ Transition Into Politics
DeSantis was a lawyer and had no place on the battlefield despite his many successes there. His military service might have been a stepping stone to propel him into a successful career or an act of patriotism.
Regardless, he completed his service and went into politics while still being a part of the US Reserve. He preferred the life of politics, and he went into law and used it to go deeper into US politics.
DeSantis later worked as a federal prosecutor. He authored Dreams from Our Founding Fathers: First Principles in the Age of Obama in 2011, explaining his conservatism and opposing President Obama’s policies.
DeSantis ran for a position in the House of Representatives the next year and was handily elected to represent District 6 in northeast Florida.
During his term, he co-founded the conservative House Freedom Caucus in 2015 and became a frequent Fox News commentator.
DeSantis declared his Senate race in 2015, backed by the Tea Party, a conservative populist organization, but withdrew when incumbent Republican Marco Rubio chose to run for reelection.
Donald Trump was elected president in 2017, and DeSantis was among his most outspoken supporters.
That year, he backed Trump’s extensive tax reform measure and the failed attempt to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
His Role As Governor of Florida and Political Prospects
DeSantis is mainly known as Florida’s Governor, and he has stirred a lot of controversies in the role. But what is the story behind him getting this post?
DeSantis launched his candidacy for governor of Florida in 2018 after gaining Trump’s endorsement. Despite being considered an underdog initially, he won the Republican primary despite a rocky start.
DeSantis later resigned from his House seat to focus on the election. It was a close race that put Republican DeSantis against Democrat Andrew Gillum, a progressive seeking to become the state’s first African-American governor.
The race was sometimes marred by controversy, with DeSantis and his supporters accused of racism; DeSantis disputed the claims. DeSantis narrowly defeated Gillum, 49.6% to 49.2%, with Trump’s help.
DeSantis entered office in 2019, and his controversial initiatives quickly grabbed global headlines.
Notably, after the COVID-19 epidemic began in 2020, he lowered restrictions considerably sooner than other governors while putting in place safety measures to protect the elderly.
Despite widespread predictions of terrible effects, Florida’s death rate (more than 75,000 people) remained within the national norm, and the state’s economy fared better than many others.
DeSantis also expressed alarm over possible voter fraud, and in 2022, Florida established the Office of Election Crimes and Security.
Democrats and voting rights advocates were concerned that the agency would be used to restrict minority voting.
DeSantis was criticized for policies that fueled the so-called “culture wars.” He managed the passing of the Parental Rights in Education Act in 2022, which restricted the topic of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
It was dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics, and Disney, one of the state’s top employers, eventually issued a statement condemning the proposal. DeSantis retaliated by removing the company’s self-governing status and tax breaks.
While his supporters praised the decision, some questioned its legality and the probable detrimental impact on citizens, notably greater taxes.
He also backed the Individual Freedom Act (the Stop WOKE Act), intended to “protect Floridians from discrimination and woke indoctrination.” Its provisions included a ban on the teaching of critical race theory.
DeSantis proposed additional educational reforms, specifically targeting programs he claimed tried to “impose ideological conformity to provoke political activism.”
He banned AP classes in African American studies in January 2023, claiming that the content was historically wrong and violated state law; the College Board, which regulates AP content, later modified the curriculum.
DeSantis was perceived as positioning himself for the 2024 presidential run with these divisive proposals.
However, he was up for reelection as governor for the first time in 2022. His primary opponent was Charlie Crist, a former Republican turned Democrat governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011. DeSantis easily won the race in November.
He continues to push a conservative agenda, publishing The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival in February 2023. DeSantis announced his presidential candidacy three months later.
Conclusion
Ron DeSantis received a Bronze Star for his commendable service and valor in the United States Navy. Throughout his military career, he demonstrated unwavering dedication and bravery, earning the respect and admiration of his fellow servicemen and women.
This prestigious award is proof of his exceptional leadership and ability to make tough decisions under high-pressure situations.
His Bronze Star represents not only his personal achievements but also serves as a symbol of the sacrifices made by all men and women in uniform.
