View Full Version : 24 soldiers to receive Medal of Honor
Mr Furious
02-21-2014, 15:00
"The Medal of Honor will be awarded to 24 people, three of them living, who served in wars of past decades, the White House announced today.
In recognition of their valor in World War II, Vietnam and Korea, President Obama will present the awards on March 18, according to a statement from the White House.
Each of the soldiers was previously recognized by award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest military award. That award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor in recognition of their gallantry, intrepidity and heroism above and beyond the call of duty."
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140221/NEWS/302210025/White-House-24-soldiers-receive-Medal-Honor
I see a couple of Berets amongst those 24 heroes too :lifter
Snaquebite
02-21-2014, 15:34
Wondering why some are identified by race?
Every one needs a label in this administration.
Congrads to the men that are being recognized for their valor.
mojaveman
02-21-2014, 16:13
Wondering why some are identified by race?
They were actually all identified by race. I guess in this era of equal opportunity even awarding the Medal of Honor has to be fair. In this case it looks like African Americans were under represented. And is there really any difference between a caucasion and a caucasion who is also Jewish?
Hat's off to all of them.
mark46th
02-21-2014, 16:13
removed by author.
Wondering why some are identified by race?
Army Times: A Gannett Company. Gun Map (http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/12/journal-news-advertisers-face-boycott-over-gun-map-153034.html).
Glad to see the men who earned the Medal of Honor are receiving it. Thank you for your service and sacrifice; fighting for Freedom.
They were actually all identified by race. I guess in this era of equal opportunity even awarding the Medal of Honor has to be fair. In this case it looks like African Americans were under represented. And is there really any difference between a caucasion and a caucasion who is also Jewish?
Hat's off to all of them.
All I see is 24 studs who are Green.
All I see is 24 studs who are Green.
/\ /\ /\ /\ this...
Thank you for your service gentlemen...
:confused:
"The Army conducted the review under a directive from Congress in the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act. The law required that the record of each Jewish American and Hispanic American veteran who received a Service Cross during or after World War II be reviewed for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor."
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2014/0222/To-correct-racial-and-religious-bias-Medal-of-Honor-awarded-to-24-vets
2 of the 3 living recipients named were SF NCOs serving with the 4th Mobile Strike Force Command and the 3rd Mobile Strike Force Command.
It always seemed to me as if the guys I served with who were recipients of either the DSC or MOH could have easily been awarded either one, and the distinction between which was awarded was a bit of a proverbial coin toss at that level of valor.
I view actions like this DOD review and those of JTFFA as signs that we will neither forget nor fail to recognize the valorous actions of those who give their all for this nation and its ideals.
Richard
Roguish Lawyer
02-23-2014, 11:09
http://www.fayobserver.com/military/article_93e920de-c63d-57f6-bc54-be899dfa7c64.html?mode=jqm
Jews and hispanics? No.
All 24 were identified during a review of records of minority soldiers that was meant to ensure that veterans were recognized with the appropriate medal.
Mr Furious
02-23-2014, 12:24
This administration will bestow the award, but the wheels were set in motion back in 2000-2001 ...and now you know the rest of the story.
“A Florida congressman believes the uncle for whom rock singer Lenny Kravitz was named deserved to be awarded a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War, but instead received a lesser medal because of anti-Semitism in the U.S. military.
Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., has been gathering support for a bill he has titled the "Leonard Kravitz Jewish War Veterans Act of 2001." Introduced with the bipartisan support of Reps. Benjamin Gilman (R N.Y.), Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), the measure recently gained the support of two Jewish members of Congress from San Diego, Susan Davis and Bob Filner.
Wexler's bill, H. R. 606, follows a precedent established in 1996, when Congress directed the military to review the exploits of Asian-American military heroes who might have been unfairly denied Congressional Medals of Honor. That legislation resulted in 21 Asian-Americans being granted the nation's highest military award. In 1997 similar legislation affecting African-American veterans led to the awarding of seven more Medals of Honor.”
http://www.jewishsightseeing.com/usa/wash_dc/capitol_building/sd4-13leonard_kravitz_act.htm
The “Leonard Kravitz Jewish War Veterans Act of 2001”, H.R. 606, was introduced February 13, 2001 by Rep. Wexler (D-FL) and co-sponsored by Reps. Gilman (R-NY), Crowley (D-NY), and Cantor (R-VA).
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.606.IH:
It was signed into law December 28, 2001 as part of the 2002 NDAA; see page 105, Section 552.
http://www.dod.gov/dodgc/olc/docs/2002NDAA.pdf
UWOA (RIP)
02-23-2014, 18:27
2 of the 3 living recipients named were SF NCOs serving with the 4th Mobile Strike Force Command and the 3rd Mobile Strike Force Command.
It always seemed to me as if the guys I served with who were recipients of either the DSC or MOH could have easily been awarded either one, and the distinction between which was awarded was a bit of a proverbial coin toss at that level of valor.
I view actions like this DOD review and those of JTFFA as signs that we will neither forget nor fail to recognize the valorous actions of those who give their all for this nation and its ideals.
Richard
MSG Jose Rodela was my team sergeant when I was assigned as XO of SFODA-13, 8th SFGA in Panama in 1972-73. He was without doubt one of best NCOs I've ever worked with. I only hope that I have the opportunity to render him a salute before I exit this AO ....
.
Perhaps this Marine will get his Navy Cross upgraded someday. I guess I would have to go along with those who were there at the time.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2566347/Heartbreak-family-Marine-smothered-grenade-saved-comrades-denied-Medal-Honor-because.html
Douglas Sterner, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and curator of the Military Times Hall of Valor, told U-T San Diego that Peralta is being held to an unfair standard.
'The Medal of Honor is recommended by the comrades in arms that witness the action. It has to go through a vetting process, but the individuals who witness the action should be the basis on which that medal is awarded.
'I have never heard ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ used in the same sentence as Medal of Honor before. It’s a legal term, not a military term,' he said.
CSM Bennie Adkins' DSC (1966)was approved for upgrade to the MOH back in Oct 2013...so that makes 3 SF'ers
http://www.gop.gov/bill/113/1/hr3304
MOH ceremonies today at the White House.
MSG (Ret) Rodela and SFC (Ret) Morris.
Richard