As the poster on #78 says: the Army doesn’t even want to consider a MOH citation unless the person is dead. That’s not the intent of the medal. It’s for actions “above and beyond the call of duty.” It’s not supposed to be a “dead man’s medal.”
The real purpose of any medal is to see it on the chest of a proud soldier and realize what he has done for our country. Making the MOH a dead man's medal cheapens the idea of valor and fails to reward victory. Starting in the later phases of the Vietnam war, the medal ceased to represent the true hero who leads his troops out of a desperate situation, forsaking his own safety for the lives of others.
Medals are supposed to be ranked on the chest in accordance with the triumphs of a soldier's career. As far as I'm concerned, the pattern of MOH awards beginning in Vietnam has perverted that reasoning. As I said, there are many people with Silver Stars who I would want to lead me in combat and to lead to victory. In many of the MOH awards, I do not see this type of Audie Murphy heroics in the citation.
The unfortunate trend in the military has been to reward those whose actions tend to me more reckless than heroic. Like the Purple Heart, the MOH has become one of those medals that you don't want to receive.
I am sorry, but you are deserving of personal attacks in this case. Your statement was the most startlingly idiotic thing that has ever been posted on Free Republic. If there was a “Worst of” section of Free Republic, your post would reside infamously atop the roster.
No its not. Its to recognize a form of valor. Outside of a military uniform, they are not worn. Most metals of high honor are stored away in closets and not talked about but most military men! You don't see ex-military people in T-shirts wearing their purple hearts or Bronze Stars!
What you call reckless is by far the greatest form of bravery. Laying down ones life to save others is not reckless. Taking a gun with one bullet in it and play Russian Roulette is! The person that falls on that grenade knows exactly why he is doing it, to save his friends.
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Fractal Trader
Please take the time to read this poignant homage to Private First Class Milton L. Olive.
All Americans should be proud and grateful that PFC Olive was an born in this country.
Simple words can never diminish true honor.
The men of Baker Company; Four Soldiers Survived Viet Nam Because Milton Olive Didn’t
Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2002
http://www.8thwood.com/milton_l_olive.htm
Seriously, do you think all the posthumous MOH's and other medals we've awarded in over a century were given by mistake? Frank Luke, Addison Baker, John Jerstad and Vince Capodano all got their MOHs by mistake? Aspberger (mentioned upthread) shouldn't have gotten his Navy Cross because he died in another battle before it was awarded? We shouldn't award posthumous Purple Hearts anymore?
There are lots of other awards for heroism. Anyone with a CIB is a hero in my book. But the MOH is by definition for those that went 'above and beyond." The consequences of going above and beyond in modern warfare is more likely than not, a posthumous award.
Like the Purple Heart, the MOH has become one of those medals that you don't want to receive.
Why would anyone want to be in a position to want a bronze or silver star? I'd steer well clear of anyone psycho enough to have any of those as an objective.