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Posted on 03/29/2005 9:36:00 PM PST by RWR8189
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm
LOTS of good reading there. Take your hanky though.
The man was a warrior. His courage is being honored and recognized. I served in the Army for six years (Ranger Class 13-87, Thank You) and I will say this. The Army and Marines are blessed to have many NCOs as courageous and dedicated as him. NCOs who dearly love their men and believe in their mission. Men who should it come to it, will brave enemy fire onto death to save the lives of their men. The gauntlet was thrown at Sergeant Smith's feet and he did not hesitate to pick it up. Godspeed.
Yes, the children, either gender, of CMH winners have automatic appointments to the military academies. They must, however, still meet the physical, academic, and leadership requirements of prospective cadets. I do not know how this plays out in practise, but perhaps we will shortly see.
thanks Star!
Thank God for such men as this. He died a glorious death.
Some might be interested in this:
'Iraq combat: What it's really like over there'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1158891/posts?page=1,50
Thank You for this post.
True American Hero Ping.
It is nothing!! {{{HUGS!}}}
Thank you for what YOU'RE doing. Thank you to all service men and women ~ I am indebted to you.
The link's been provided above. Y'know what I would kind of find neat? A "citation-a-day" email or something, where the citation database is picked through and it sends out an email with a Medal of Honor citaton which took place on this day.
For example, for today we have:
BOBO, JOHN P.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF.
Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 30 March 1967.
Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y.
Born: 14 February 1943, Niagara Falls, N.Y.Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Company 1 was establishing night ambush sites when the command group was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese company supported by heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire. 2d Lt. Bobo immediately organized a hasty defense and moved from position to position encouraging the outnumbered marines despite the murderous enemy fire. Recovering a rocket launcher from among the friendly casualties, he organized a new launcher team and directed its fire into the enemy machine gun positions. When an exploding enemy mortar round severed 2d Lt. Bobo's right leg below the knee, he refused to be evacuated and insisted upon being placed in a firing position to cover the movement of the command group to a better location. With a web belt around his leg serving as a tourniquet and with his leg jammed into the dirt to curtail the bleeding, he remained in this position and delivered devastating fire into the ranks of the enemy attempting to overrun the marines. 2d Lt. Bobo was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the main point of the enemy attack but his valiant spirit inspired his men to heroic efforts, and his tenacious stand enabled the command group to gain a protective position where it repulsed the enemy onslaught. 2d Lt. Bobo's superb leadership, dauntless courage, and bold initiative reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Not necessarily. There were a LOT of men involved in the fighting, so it's possible there were that many acts of astounding bravery.
Since the medal was created in the Civil War, there have been 3,440 recipients, but only 842 since World War II, when the requirements were tightened. There are 125 living recipients of the award, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in Mount Pleasant, S.C.Sergeant Smith deserves the honor. Great American hero story.Most recipients have been unsung soldiers who acted valiantly in a moment of extraordinary pressure. More celebrated recipients include William F. Cody - Buffalo Bill - for gallantry as a scout; Theodore Roosevelt, for his charge up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War; and Second Lt. Audie Murphy, for heroics in World War II.
All gave some - some gave all! Duty, Honor, Justice love for God and Country.
sw
"Eagles Up, Sgt. Smith"
THANKS!
Don't soil this post by bringing up that guy. This post is about the Sgt. and not anything else.
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