A congressman from Texas, the home of the latedeceased Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Chris Kyle,'s native Texas introduced legislation Thursday wants to see the highly decorated "American Sniper" awarded the Medal of Honor "for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Congressman Roger Williams, R-Texas, submitted the bill Thursday.

"Chris gave the ultimate sacrifice and served his nation with distinction and bravery while saving countless American lives," Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, Williams said in a statement. "There is no doubt that this true American hero is worthy of our nation's highest military honor. While the Medal of Honor will not bring back a husband, father, son and a model Texan, we owe Chris Kyle and his family a great deal of gratitude for his relentless devotion to his country."

The bill urges the Pentagon to consider the Kyle's entire war record for the Medal of Honor. It's unclear what the bill can accomplish. In the past, similaruch efforts have been directed at getting medal upgrades for specific actions that the sponsors they feel are deserving of higher awards, such as an ultimately unsuccessful effort led by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, a Marine veteran, on behalf of Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta.

That effort was aimed at upgrading a Navy Cross awarded to Peralta, who died in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004 while covering a grenade. Ultimately Defense Secretary Leon Panetta denied the upgrade, saying there wasn't enough evidence to prove that Peralta consciously moved his body over the grenade to shield fellow Marines. support the upgrade.

Williams' bill, if adopted, could pressure the Pentagon to doesn't specify an action but, if adopted, DoD might look to upgrade one of Kyle's other awards, which include the Silver Star, the third highest valor decoration and multiple Bronze Stars with valor.

Doug Sterner, one of the foremost experts on military awards, said Congress does hasve the right to request a Defense Department award review, that DoD review awards, but that such efforts from Congress haven't had much success in the past.

Sterner likened this effort to a similar effort launched on behalf of Army Maj. Dick Winters, a battalion commander in the 101st Airborne Division who as a company commander was recommended for the Medal of Honor for heroismactions on D-Day heroism.

Winters was downgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross, but in the wake of the HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers," which depicted Winters' legendaryfamous assault on a fortified German gun position, Congress began pushing for a review.

"After Band of Brothers came out, Dick Winters had congressman after congressman coming out and pushing for him to receive a Medal of Honor," Sterner said. "But ultimately that wasn't successful."

Kyle is credited with the most kills of any sniper in American history, and his story has captivated the American public thanks to his highly successful memoir "American Sniper" and the box-office smash hit based upon it. film adaptation directed by Clint Eastwood.

David B. Larter was the naval warfare reporter for Defense News.

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