"My Silver Star was LOST!"

How does one of the nation's highest awards for valor get lost in the system?

In this clip from Four Years a Slave, Silver Star recipient Ethan Nagel shares the unbelievable story of how the Department of the Navy lost the paperwork for his award. What should have been a straightforward recognition of battlefield heroism turned into a bureaucratic ordeal that highlights the challenges many service members face when navigating the military awards process.

Ethan discusses the circumstances surrounding the award, the long road to ensuring his actions were properly recognized, and the frustrations of watching critical paperwork disappear within the system. It's a story about sacrifice, accountability, and the importance of preserving the record of those who serve.

This conversation offers a rare look at the intersection of combat valor and military bureaucracy—and why getting these stories right matters.

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