The Medal of honor is presented by the President in the name of Congress. It is not the Congressional(sic) Medal of Honor as you can see from the following:
Posted on 12/12/2012 5:59:51 PM PST by Nachum
A Marine who was killed after his unconscious body fell on a live grenade during the Iraq War will not receive a posthumous Medal of Honor, it was revealed today. Sgt Rafael Peralta was 25 years old when he fell on the grenade in Fallouja, Iraq in 2004. Though he perished, his body shielded other American soldiers and saved the lives of other Marines. The Pentagon told Rep. Duncan Hunter it supports the decision of former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who honored Sgt. Rafael Peralta with the Navy Cross instead of the military´s highest honor.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
2600 were awarded before WWII, since then 861, 530 posthumously. A while back I did read all of the citations from the WWII period forward. While the act of falling on a grenade was recognized I believe it was about 15% of the time that it was the cause of the award.
All that aside, it seems rather insulting to say that he didn’t intend to do as such when apparently his fellow Marines said he intended to do it.
More MOH have been awarded for deliberately falling on a grenade, than for any other single act.
No doubt, since there are so many other ‘acts’ that can rate it. The point is that falling on a grenade doesn’t account for ‘most’ of the MOH awards.
The point is, it isn’t exactly rare as you wished to imply. If you got it, it is more likely you did -that- than anything else.
My point was, whether he was conscious, or not, when his body ended up on an exploding grenade ... it's not an act worthy of the MOH. A lesser award yes ... not the MOH.
I know, that’s why I said “all that aside”.
The Navy Cross is still a fine honor.
Here’s the law.
“distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”
Thats it, period. Very simple and easily explained.
Mansour saw the grenade, warned his team, and deliberately absorbed the blast to protect them. Do you argue he did not distinguish himself gallantly, intrepidly?
Did using his body to absorb a grenade risk his life?
Is it beyond the call of duty to ask them to willingly, and immediately, die to save their team?
You are falling victim to the wacky cult that says a MOH must have some comic book kind of plot to be awarded. It is actually simple criteria until rear echelon jackasses and jealous carreerist 0-7s get to decide what rates it.
It’s simple, an above and beyond effort, deliberate, solid and bravly performed, with a risk of life beyond the call of duty. All grunts are at risk of being injured or killed by grenades,,,but they are trained to seek cover, not to use their body to absorb the blast. THAT is why it is above and beyond.
I have, extensively.
So why now must it be given to those who simply commit suicide although for a good cause?
It has been awarded many many times for exactly that. Perhaps you should study the history a little more.
Thank you ~
I couldn’t find the words so I will “ditto” what you’ve said.
If it’s so redundant, then why have any special teams in any of our branches ?
In my not so humble opinion, you indeed are diminishing Mike. You are saying his sacrifice is worthless by stating it’s not worthy of the MOH ~!
You have your opinion and I have mine so we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
Commit suicide? What? He sacrificed himself so others may live. Did Jesus Christ commit suicide? Never mind don’t answer that.
We've *evolved* beyond such quaint notions.
If you got it, it is more likely you did -that- than anything else.
That's not true at all, it has been awarded almost 3500 times, and most were for something else. It is interesting reading, but at the same time very difficult to read the citations from WWII forward.
Don't follow your logic on 'his sacrifice is worthless' ... that's not what I said or implied. The Navy Cross, yes ... the MOH, no.
The Medal of honor is presented by the President in the name of Congress. It is not the Congressional(sic) Medal of Honor as you can see from the following:
That is a very good question.
They were not the Navy Seals in WWII. My father was Navy UDT #6 and the Underwater Demolition Teams were the foundation of what would become the Seals. He did a lot more than clear mines too, BTW.
Well aware of the history of the UDT/SEAL teams. Visited the UDT/SEAL Museum (twice) in Fort Pierce, FL which was the original WWII training site for Navy UDT. Met the curator of the museum, at the time, 'Patches' Watson. He was an original plank owner when UDT transitioned into the SEAL units. Also met a WWII UDT vet that cleared the landing zone of underwater obstructions at Iwo Jima prior to the Marines amphibious assault of the island.
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