By dumb luck or design, on separate occasions I had the privilage and honor to meet two MOH recipients. Joe Foss and Leo Thorsness. I was at a loss for words when trying to verbalize my respect. As I stumbled along each replied in much the same manner..."It was a different time, different place". Such humble responses.
Versace, Benavidez, Rowe...Lance P. Sijan...When I see or hear their names I cannot help but hold myself cheap. Men like these epitomize the spirit of the Medal Of Honor. Then there are men like James Wayne Herrick Jr. whose actions did not warrant national recognition but served with the same spirit. We as a nation truely are rich to have all of them as our sons.
I don't think Nick Rowe got a MOH. He was a fellow POW with Rocky,and one of the original guys to push for awarding the MOH for Rocky. He escaped after being a POW for around 5 years,when the VC/NVA who were moving him came under fire from a American helicopter gunship who was just taking shots at a target of opportunity. He almost gunned Rowe down when he stood up in the elephant grass wearing black,but when he spotted the beard he figured the guy wasn't a VN. He landed to pick him up,and recogonized him instantly. Ironically enough,he and Rowe had been classmates and friends at West Point.