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FReeper Canteen ~ Surprising Facts About The Medal of Honor ~ July 15, 2013
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

Posted on 07/14/2013 5:02:06 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States
Armed Forces Today!
 
 

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Surprising Facts About The
Medal of Honor

Info from here.

ArmyPatch small   Marine small   Air Force Seal   Air Force   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

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 Only one woman has received the Medal of Honor and her award was temporarily rescinded.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! 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Arrowhead1952

Woohoo!! Hoping you get enough rain to help the lake level rise.


121 posted on 07/15/2013 2:42:33 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: HiJinx; LUV W

Thanks, unique, for the twins.

HJ.....#50!!
Luv.....#100!!


122 posted on 07/15/2013 2:50:26 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Yay us! :)

Thanks!


123 posted on 07/15/2013 4:09:49 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, Chris, & all of you!)
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To: LUV W; Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; ...




Good Evening To Our Valiant Troops, To Our Vets, To Our Families, Our FRiends, Our Allies And To All Canteen Denizens!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe, especially those in combat!



Evening Colors - 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA

Evening Colors
(Click)




May The Lord Protect And Uphold Our Troops In Their Performance Of Their Vital Mission!

May He Keep Their Families Secure During Their Time Of Separation!

May He Preserve And Uphold The American Nation In This Time Of Crisis!








Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

124 posted on 07/15/2013 5:36:34 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

WOW! who is that young guy?


125 posted on 07/16/2013 1:27:01 AM PDT by txradioguy (Republicans Don't Need A Back Bench...They Need a BACKBONE!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

No ma’am still stationed ovver here.


126 posted on 07/16/2013 1:27:28 AM PDT by txradioguy (Republicans Don't Need A Back Bench...They Need a BACKBONE!)
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To: HiJinx
Looks like Fluffy Cottontail has a case of the blahs, today.

LOL. I thought so too.

127 posted on 07/16/2013 5:05:38 AM PDT by beachn4fun (You are either an American - or not!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Thank you.


128 posted on 07/16/2013 8:54:39 PM PDT by cloudmountain
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