The term "war hero" is a complex one. How do you differentiate the actions of men and women who fight alongside one another in equally effective, honorable ways? There may not be a clear scientific answer, but awarding medals is one way to define a war hero.

The United States' highest military honor is appropriately style the Medal of Honor. Only some 3,400 have been awarded since the beginning of this country and out of the millions who have admirably served. Getting a Medal of Honor almost certainly means that you have the right to be called a war hero.

One such man that is more than deserving of the Medal of Honor has yet to be awarded it. Lt. Garlin Murl Conner is the man that deserves this most awesome of honors. When World War II was all said and done he was second only to solider Audie Murphy in hardware. Conner accumulated a vast array of medals, including four silver stars (third highest honor) and four purple hearts (injured in combat.)

Yet, if the decision is ever reversed Conner won't be their to see the day. He passed away in 1998. The reason Conner likely will never get it is because his widower waited to long to file paperwork that would successfully amend his service record.

The decision rested on U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell's shoulders. Regretfully he wrote that "dismissing this claim as required by technical limitations in no way diminishes Lt. Conner's exemplary service and sacrifice."

Not everyone is giving up though. Richard Chilton, a former special operations soldier, said that Conner's exemplary record is absolutely amazing. 

"I want to make sure they can't walk away from this," Chilton remarked to AP journalists on Wednesday. "He's a man worthy of this."

Attorney Donald Todd, who represents the Conner family had this to say about the man, "He was a real hero."

Another ally of Conner, his former CO also supports that the award be granted.

"There is no doubt that Lt. Conner should have been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions," Ramsey eloquently wrote. "One of the most disappointing regrets of my career is not having the Medal of Honor awarded to the most outstanding soldier I've ever had the privilege of commanding."

Finally, and most importantly, one of Conner's brother's in arms, Retired Lt. Harold Wigetman, wrote down that "his heroic and entirely voluntary act saved our battalion. ... If he hadn't done what he did, we would have had to fight for our lives."

Do you think Lt. Garlin Murl Conner is worthy of the Medal of Honor? Let us know in the comments section below.