The New York Post rightly rips into the Old Gray Lady for failing to mention
“not a whisper of news yesterday about the bestowal of the Medal of Honor to Navy Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue – the first time the honor has been given for action in Afghanistan:”

“If he had killed 15 people, he’d be on the front page of their newspaper,” fumed James Casey of Malverne, a Vietnam vet and past commander of the state American Le gion organization.

“It’s amazing that a Long Islander and a New Yorker can receive the highest commendation this country can bestow and the Times doesn’t see fit to mention it – especially on the heels of the Gen. Petraeus MoveOn.org ad,” said Casey – referring to the paper’s deci sion to run a full-page ad from a liberal group con taining the headline words “General Betray Us.”

The Times seemed alone in ignoring Thursday’s White House announce ment of Murphy’s honor.

In addition to the local coverage, some out-of-town papers, including The Denver Post and The Los Angeles Times, covered the news with their own reporters.

One Medal of Honor recipient, Col. Jack Jacobs of Morris County, N.J., who fought in Vietnam, said, “You’d think it would be fairly substantial news that ought to get reported. It’s kind of troubling that it’s not.”

A Times spokeswoman said yesterday afternoon that the paper does plan to run something about the award – though she didn’t say exactly what.

President Bush will present the medal to Murphy’s parents at a White House ceremony Oct. 22.

If Lt. Murphy had been accused of war crimes, you can bet where the NYTimes would have placed the news. Front and center.

More background here.