A Green Beret credited with fighting off Taliban attackers in Afghanistan spoke out Monday in his first interview since the Army denied his commanders’ recommendation for a Medal of Honor, awarding him a Silver Star instead.

“I kind of have a lot of trust in the system, but if somebody says it’s broken, maybe it is,” Staff Sgt. Earl D. Plumlee told The Washington Post.

“But I’m always leery of decisions like this getting reversed.”

He said senior commanders in Afghanistan — including Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, now Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — wrote that he deserved the Medal of Honor, but the Army’s Senior Decorations Board recommended the Silver Star, an award considered two levels lower.

Army Secretary John McHugh approved the Silver Star.

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