Marles' decision to strip these medals demonstrates Australia's commitment to accountability for those who bring shame to the country's military. These officers can't retain their honors — awarded for leadership in combat — when they're morally responsible for what occurred under their command. Removing medals for unlawful behavior will send the message that when one person conducts an unlawful behavior, it stains the entire unit.

The fact that honored top commanders have been let off the hook and aren't facing the prospect of having their medals stripped shows that responsibility and accountability don't reach far enough up the chain of command. The Australian military hasn't been let down by its senior officers and subordinates but by a lack of moral courage at higher headquarters.

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