FReeper Canteen ~ Surprising Facts About The Medal of Honor ~ July 15, 2013

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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Surprising Facts About The
Medal of Honor
Info from here.

           

On July 25, 1862, the Medal of Honor was created.

Citations for Medal of Honor recipients describe feats of courage, strength, and resilience. Recipients overcame the paralysis of fear, and in some cases, they persevered in spite of wounds that would normally be so painful as to be disabling. Some of these heroes willingly gave their lives for the sake of their buddies.

While it is worth setting aside time to remember the extraordinary service and sacrifice symbolized by the Medal of Honor, it is even more important share that legacy with current and future generations.

Here are eight surprising facts about the Medal of Honor.

1. The earliest actions for which the Medal was awarded took place before the Civil War had even begun (Feb. 13-14, 1861). Bernard J.D. Irwin was an Assistant Surgeon in the Army when he voluntarily went to the rescue of 2d Lt. George N. Bascom who was trapped with 60 members of the 7th Infantry. Irwin and 14 men began the 100-mile trek to Bascom’s forces riding mules. After fighting and capturing Apaches along the way, as well as recovering stolen horses and cattle, Irwin reached Bascom’s forces and helped break the siege. The Medal of Honor was awarded to Irwin on Jan. 24, 1894 – more than 30 years after he performed his heroic deed.

2. Originally, the Medal of Honor was only awarded to enlisted service members. On March 3, 1863, this was extended to include officers as well.

3. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. Members of the U.S. Marines Corps and U.S. Coast Guard are eligible to receive the Navy version. Each of the armed services maintains their own regulations governing the award.

4. Only one woman has received the Medal of Honor and her award was temporarily rescinded. President Andrew Johnson presented the Medal of Honor to Dr. Mary E. Walker on Nov. 11, 1865 for her work as a Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon in a series of battles from First Bull Run in 1861 to the Battle of Atlanta in 1864. Caught by Confederate troops and arrested as a spy, she also spent four months as a Prisoner of War. Although her award was rescinded along with hundreds of others in 1917, upon the passage of legislation that stated the medal could only be given to persons who had engaged in “actual combat with an enemy,” Walker’s Medal of Honor was restored on June 10, 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.

Because of her selfless service during the war, Dr. Mary E.
Walker became the only woman in U.S. history to receive the
Medal of Honor, which was rescinded in 1917 and restored in 1977.
 

5. The Medal of Honor recommendation process can take in excess of 18 months with intense scrutiny every step of the way because of the need for accuracy. The following organizations and individuals play key roles in the Army Medal of Honor recommendation process: the Soldier’s Chain of Command, a Member of Congress, Department of the Army Personnel Command, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of the Army, Secretary of Defense and the President. To see a visual depiction of the process, visit http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/steps.html

6. Children of Medal of Honor recipients are not subject to quotas if they are qualified and desire to attend the U.S. military academies.

Colin Romesha, son of former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, is escorted off
the President’s podium during the Medal of Honor ceremony in honor of his
father at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 2013. Romesha
received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during a daylong
firefight in Afghanistan in October 2009.

7. Medal of Honor recipients have uniform privileges, which allow them to wear their uniforms at any time or place they choose, unlike other military personnel or retirees.

8. Although not required by law or military regulation, service members are encouraged to salute Medal of Honor recipients as a gesture of respect and courtesy regardless of rank or status and, if the recipients are wearing the medal, whether or not they are in uniform. This is the only instance where a Soldier will receive a salute from members of a higher rank.

What facts about the Medal of Honor would YOU add to this list? Be sure to let us know in the comments section.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

It’s going very well on this lovely rainy day! Just hope it keeps it up for a while.

Hope you and Bo had a great weekend! Has it cooled off a bit up there?

[Arrowhead1952]

I’ve been hearing thunder for the past half hour or so. It is pouring right now.

[Arrowhead1952]

It was almost 100 on Saturday and stayed in the 80s yesterday. Temp was 71 at 10 PM when I got off work last night.

[E.G.C.]

It has indeed cooled off. Bo and I actually slept pretty good last night with the AC off.

[HiJinx]

I’ll weigh in...I’m fine with it!
This is also a clearinghouse for military information, of any kind, and it’s good to learn from those who know.

[beachn4fun]

Sooooo...you’re another one stealing our cooler temps!

LOL

Enjoy the rain, night owl ((HUGS))

[beachn4fun]

p.s. #100

[beachn4fun]

Good afternoon, Jinxie ((HUGS))

#50

[PROCON]

Hi Beachie, our network was down until recently, talk to ya soon!

[luvie]

Can’t believe I beat you! :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Coming up for air for a few minutes. Hope your commute went well. *HUGS*

[HiJinx]

Looks like Fluffy Cottontail has a case of the blahs, today.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, tx...((HUGS))

Hope you are having some nice summer weather. We’ve had several heat waves with temps into the 80s.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Arrowhead...((HUGS))

Sure hope your showers continue all week.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Germany...are you on a road trip?

[Kathy in Alaska]

I know you are long home, but hope your Monday went well. ((HUGS)

[Arrowhead1952]

We’ve had over 2” of rain as of now, with more rain on the way.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, mware, for your additions to the Medal of Honor “story”.