All have given some….Some have given all!

For those that have served,continue to serve; for those who did not

come home…

The Medal of Honor

Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure if they have it

till the test comes. And those having it in one test never know for sure if they will have it when

the next test comes.

Carl SandburgBorn: Jan. 6,

1878Died: July 22, 1967

Types

There are three different types of the Medal of Honor.

The Army The Navy The Air Force

Pyramid of Honor

There is a Pyramid of Honor that was established to recognize degrees of bravery below that honored by the Medal of Honor. There are several medals awarded for valor, gallantry and heroism. The Medal of Honor is at the peak of this Pyramid of Honor.

Pyramid of Honor

Medal of Honor (May only receive one) The Distinguished Service Cross(Army), The Navy Cross(Navy, Marine Corps, Coast

Guard), The Air Force Cross(Air Force) The Silver Star, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart,

(Common to all branches of the armed forces) The Air Medal

When a soldier is wounded more than once, the Purple Heart is decorated with either Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters or a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster with Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. The most Purple Hearts that can be awarded is eight.

The Distinguished Service Cross

The Navy Cross

The Air Force Cross

The Silver Star

The Distinguished Flying Cross

The Bronze Star

The Purple Heart

The Air Medal

The Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters

Prisoner of War MedalThe Prisoner of War Medal was

authorized on November 8, 1985. The medal is given to any

military personnel that was taken prisoner and held captive after April 5, 1917. The medal may be given posthumously, the primary next of kin of a

POW who died in captivity may be issued the medal.

WWII Victory MedalThe WWII Victory Medal was

established by an Act of Congress on July 6, 1945. It was awarded to any

military personnel that served between December 7, 1941 and

December 31, 1946. President John F. Kennedy was

awarded the WWII Victory Medal along with a Purple Heart while

serving as the Commander of the Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 in the

South Pacific.

The Purple HeartOnly six men have ever received all eight Purple

Hearts.Colonel Robert L. Howard (Vietnam)

Colonel David H. Hackworth (Korea and Vietnam)

Major General Robert T. Frederick (WWII)Sergeant Major William Waugh (Vietnam)

Company Commander William L. Russell (WWII)Richard J. Buck * (Korea and Vietnam)

*No rank could be found for Richard J. Buck.

Company Commander Russell was also nominated for the

Medal of Honor.

Colonel Robert L. Howard

Colonel Robert L. Howard is one of America’s most decorated soldiers and Vietnam’s most highly decorated soldier. He served

five tours in Vietnam and is the only soldier in history to be nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor three times for

three separate events in a thirteen month period. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Nixon in 1971. He also

holds two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, eight Purple Hearts, one Defense Superior Service

Medal, four Legion of Merit medals, three Air Medals and four Army Commendation medals. He was a member of the United

States Army Special Forces, which were more commonly known as The Green Beret. His unit was the most highly decorated with

five other men holding the Medal of Honor. He was the last Vietnam Special Forces Medal of Honor recipient still on active

duty when he retired on September 29th, 1992.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 30 December 1968. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 11 July 1939, Opelika, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then Sfc .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 3 1/2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st Lt. Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army

History

The first formal system of rewarding men for their individual gallantry in battle was created by General George Washington on August 7, 1782. The award only consisted of the Badge of Military Merit at the time and only three men ever received the medal; Sergeant Elijah Churchill, Sergeant William Brown, and Sergeant Daniel Bissel Jr. The Badge of Military Merit disappeared until 1932 when General Douglas MacArthur pressed for its revival. It was reinstated on February 22, 1932 as the Purple Heart.

The Navy Medal of Honor was the first Medal of Honor to be recommended by Iowa Senator James W. Grimes on December 9, 1861. The bill that he suggested for this Medal of Honor was passed on December 21, 1861. Two months later, on February 17, 1862 Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson came forward with a similar bill for the Army. The bill was passed on July 12, 1862. Both bills were passed by President Abraham Lincoln.

History Cont.

The Medal of Honor sets specific provisions for recipients.

At least two eyewitnesses must provide “incontestable evidence” to a

deed that proves to “be so outstanding, that it clearly distinguishes gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery, involve the risk of life, and be the type of deed, which, if not done, would not subject the recipient to any unjustified criticism.”

All medals since Vietnam have been given posthumously. Only three Navy Seals received the Medal of Honor in Vietnam.

Only two men received the Medal of Honor in the war in Somalia.

Both of whom died protecting the two fallen Blackhawk helicopters crew members.

Number of Recipients of the Medal of Honor

More than 3,448 Medals of Honor have been awarded since its creation in 1861.

There has been only one woman ever to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Dr. Mary E. Walker. She was awarded this Medal of Honor during the Civil War for her role as a Surgeon and for her hardships as a prisoner for four months. Her medal was recommended by Major Generals Sherman and Thomas and was given to her by President Andrew Johnson. The Medal was rescinded in 1917 along with 910 other medals and Dr. Mary Walker refused to return the Medal of Honor.

The Medal of Honor was restored by President Carter on June 10, 1977.

27 Medals of Honor were given at Iwo Jima; 22 to Marines , 4 to Navy Corpsmen and 1 to a Landing Craft Commander.

Number of Recipients Cont.

There have only been 19 double recipients of the Medal of Honor.

President Theodore Roosevelt was recommended for the Medal of Honor for the battle at San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898; but never received the medal. 22 men were awarded the medal for that battle. Over one hundred years later, on January 16, 2001, President Theodore Roosevelt was awarded the Medal of Honor. He also held the Nobel Peace Prize. President Roosevelt is the only President to ever receive the Medal of Honor.

On July 29, 1986, Angelo (Charles) Liteky, a former Army chaplain in Vietnam, renounced his Medal of Honor in protest over U.S. policies in Central America. Liteky's is the only known case in which a Medal of Honor has been renounced.

He returned the Medal of Honor at the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

Rank and organization: Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian), U. S. Army. Places and dates: Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861; Patent Office Hospital, Washington, D.C., October 1861; Chattanooga, Tenn., following Battle of Chickomauga, September 1863; Prisoner of War, April 10, 1864-August 12, 1864, Richmond, Va.; Battle of Atlanta, September 1864. Entered service at: Louisville, Ky. Born: 26 November 1832, Oswego County, N.Y. Citation: Whereas it appears from official reports that Dr. Mary E. Walker, a graduate of medicine, "has rendered valuable service to the Government, and her efforts have been earnest and untiring in a variety of ways," and that she was assigned to duty and served as an assistant surgeon in charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky., upon the recommendation of Major-Generals Sherman and Thomas, and faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United States, and has devoted herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured hardships as a prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract surgeon; and Whereas by reason of her not being a commissioned officer in the military service, a brevet or honorary rank cannot, under existing laws, be conferred upon her; and Whereas in the opinion of the President an honorable recognition of her services and sufferings should be made: It is ordered, That a testimonial thereof shall be hereby made and given to the said Dr. Mary E. Walker, and that the usual medal of honor for meritorious services be given her. Given under my hand in the city of Washington, D.C., this 11th day of November, A.D. 1865.

Andrew Johnson,President(Medal rescinded 1917 along with 910 others, restored by President Carter 10 June 1977.)

Dr. Mary Walker

Government Involvement

The first way the government became involved was passing the bills to allow the Pyramid of Honor to exist.

The parameters of the Medal of Honor has also gone under some revisions to ensure it is justly bestowed upon those who have earned it.

The President must present the Medal of Honor (also known as the Congressional Medal of Honor) in the name of the United States Congress.

Lt. John Finn For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above

and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on December 7, 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine gun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

This is the official citation given in the recommendation for Lt. John Finn for the Medal of Honor.

Oldest Living Recipient

Lt. John Finn

100 years old

July 23, 2009

Last living Pearl

Harbor Attack

Medal of Honor

Recipient

Pearl Harbor Medal of Honor Recipients

Only 15 men received the Medal of Honor at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Ten were given posthumously and of the five survivors, one died 11 months later. Promoted

to Captain in February of 1942, Cassin Young commanded the heavy cruiser San Francisco and was

KIA while battling the Japanese battleship Hiei during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. Captain Cassin Young was awarded the Navy Cross

posthumously. Five Survivors From Pearl

Harbor: Commander Cassin Young

Lieutenant John FinnCaptain Samuel Fuqua

Lieutenant Jackson PharrisMachinist Donald Ross

Pearl Harbor Medal of Honor Recipients Cont.

The ten recipients who did not make it home:Captain Marvyn BennionEnsign Francis Flaherty

Chief Boatswain Edwin HillEnsign Herbert Jones

Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd (onboard the Arizona)

Radio Electrician (Warrant Officer) Thomas Reeves

Machinist Mate First Class Robert ScottChief Watertender Peter Tomich

Captain Van ValkenburgSeaman First Class James Ward

Medal of Honor

Recipients

Captain Jack Jacobs Vietnam

Staff Sergeant Drew Dix Vietnam

Specialist 6th ClassLawrence

JoelMedic

Vietnam

Captain Gerald O. Young Vietnam

Specialist 4th Class John

Baca Vietnam

Staff Sergeant Jon Cavaiani

Vietnam

Rank and organization: Specialist Sixth Class (then Sp5c), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 November 1965, Entered service at: New York City, N.Y. G.O. No.: 15, 5 April 1967. Born: 22 February 1928, Winston-Salem, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machine gun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others, and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his life saving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of 1 man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As 1 of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24 hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical aidman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Sp6c. Joel's profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Specialist 6th Class Lawrence Joel

Operation Hump (Hill 65) Warzone DVietnam

Ne Desit Virtus

2nd Lt. Raymond G.

Murphy Korea

Captain Thomas Hudner

JrKorea

Captain William E.

Barber KoreaMaster Sergeant

Gary GordonKIA Oct. 3, 1993

Somalia

Sergeant 1st Class Randall D. Shughart

KIA Oct. 3, 1993 Somalia

Staff Sergeant William G. Windrich

Korea

Master Sergeant Travis E. WatkinsKorea

2nd Lt. Albert E. Baesel

WWI

Private George Sakato WWII

Chief Boatswain’s Mate John Mackenzie

WWI

Hospital Apprentice 1st Class Robert

BushWorld War II

1st Lt. Vernon Baker World War II

(Only living black WWII veteran to receive the Medal of Honor)

It was said: “among the Americans who served on

Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common

virtue.”

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

Born: Feb. 24, 1885 Died: Feb. 29, 1966

Private First Class

Douglas T. Jacobson Iwo

Jima

Lieutenant Douglas G. Herring Iwo Jima

Pharmacists Mate 1st

Class Francis J.

Pierce Iwo Jima

Pharmacists Mate 2nd

Class George E. Wahlen Iwo Jima

Pharmacists Mate 3rd Class Jack Williams

Iwo Jima

Pharmacists Mate 1st

Class John H. WillisIwo Jima

Photographer Joe Rosenthal, who took this picture on the fifth day of the 36 day battle at Iwo Jima died August 20,

2006 at the age of 94.

Private 1st Class Ross A. McGinnisKIA Dec. 4, 2006

Iraq

Corporal Jason L. Dunham

KIA April 14, 2004Iraq

Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Michael A.

MonsoorKIA Sept. 29, 2006

Iraq

All five of these men lost their lives saving

their comrades. Three dived on live grenades, one withstood enemy fire to

evacuate wounded

soldiers and one drove off over

fifty soldiers by manning a mounted

machine gun until he was

killed.

Sergeant 1st Class Paul R.

SmithKIA April 4,

2003Iraq

Lt. Michael P. MurphyKIA June 28, 2005

Afghanistan

Double Recipients

Sergeant Major Daniel Daly

Boxer Rebellion, Haitian Campaigns

Lt. Commander John McCloy

Boxer Rebellion, Vera Cruz

Private John Joseph KellyBlanc Mont Ridge WWIArmy and

Navy Medal of Honor

Corporal John Henry Pruitt

KIA Blanc Mont Ridge WWI Army and Navy

Medal of HonorCaptain Frank D.

Baldwin Civil War and the Indian Campaign

Sergeant Louis CukelaWWI

Gunnery Sergeant Charles F. Hoffman

Aka Ernest A. JansonWWI

Sergeant Matej Kocak

KIAWWI

Coxswain John Cooper Aka John

Laver MatherCivil War, Battle of

Mobile

2nd Lt. Thomas Ward Custer

Civil War, Indian Campaigns

Sergeant William WilsonIndian Campaigns

Ordinary Seamen Robert Sweeney

Peace Time HeroismCaptain Albert

WeisbogelPeace Time Heroism

Captain Louis WilliamsPeace Time Heroism

Watertender John KingPeace Time Heroism

U.S. Navy Fireman John Lafferty Aka John

LavertyCivil War, Peace Time

Heroism

Boatswain’s Mate Patrick MullenCivil War, Peace Time Heroism

Major Smedley Darligton Butler

Mexican Campaign,

Haitian Campaign

They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together and now they sleep side by side...To them, we have a solemn obligation — the obligation to ensure that their sacrifice will help make this a better and safer world in which to live. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

You’ve never lived‘Till you’ve almost died

For those who fight for itLife has a flavor

The protected will never know.

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"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.       Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.      And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.” Major Michael Davis O’Donnell

1 January 1970Listed as KIA February 7, 1978

Dak To, Vietnam