I didn’t say he deserved to lay in state, but that all depends on the members of the swamp. After all, Claude Pepper lay in state in 1989.
“I didn’t say he deserved to lay in state,”
I know you didn’t. My point was to display the lack of expectations from our society today of what defines heroism or even success. Someone wants him to lie in state? Like he compares to this who didn’t:
I was awarded the opportunity to meet the wife of this man in 2003. Lt. Benjamin F. Wilson was part of Company I that was committed to attack and secure commanding terrain stubbornly defended by a numerically superior hostile force implaced in well-fortified positions in Korea. When the spearheading element was pinned down by withering hostile fire, he dashed forward and, firing his rifle and throwing grenades, neutralized the position denying the advance and killed 4 enemy soldiers manning submachineguns. After the assault platoon moved up, occupied the position, and a base of fire was established, he led a bayonet attack which reduced the objective and killed approximately 27 hostile soldiers. While friendly forces were consolidating the newly won gain, the enemy launched a counterattack and 1st Lt. Wilson, realizing the imminent threat of being overrun, made a determined lone-man charge, killing 7 and wounding 2 of the enemy, and routing the remainder in disorder. After the position was organized, he led an assault carrying to approximately 15 yards of the final objective, when enemy fire halted the advance. He ordered the platoon to withdraw and, although painfully wounded in this action, remained to provide covering fire. During an ensuing counterattack, the commanding officer and 1st Platoon leader became casualties. Unhesitatingly, 1st Lt. Wilson charged the enemy ranks and fought valiantly, killing 3 enemy soldiers with his rifle before it was wrested from his hands, and annihilating 4 others with his entrenching tool. His courageous delaying action enabled his comrades to reorganize and effect an orderly withdrawal. While directing evacuation of the wounded, he suffered a second wound, but elected to remain on the position until assured that all of the men had reached safety. And while they were carrying him out, he heard there were more on the hill and when the soldiers et the litter down to rest, he tried to rise to go back to get them and had to be physically restrained.
This is what’s on his Medal of Honor.
What isn’t is just a few days later, he arose from a stretcher to rejoin his company in another attack. Once again, he single-handedly charged enemy positions to inspire his men to victory. Army regulations forbade the Medal of Honor from being awarded twice to the same soldier. His nomination for the Medal again was rescinded since he had already been recommended for the June 5 action, so instead he received the Distinguished Service Cross.
That’s a hero. McCain did his job. He took the chance of getting captured, and did. That’s good, but not great.
rwood