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2012-03-02 Iraq
Politicians say new evidence shows Marine deserves Medal of Honor
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Posted by Besoeker 2012-03-02 03:54|| || Front Page|| [1 views ]  Top

#1 Mods please highlight my comment. Thank you.
Posted by Besoeker 2012-03-02 03:59||   2012-03-02 03:59|| Front Page Top

#2 conscious or not he saved lives and gave his
Posted by chris 2012-03-02 08:20||   2012-03-02 08:20|| Front Page Top

#3 Jumping on a hand grenade is not worthy of a MoH.

*This* is what is worthy of a MoH:

"For 8 hours he maintained a position made almost untenable by the density of artillery and mortar fire concentrated upon it and the proximity of enemy troops who threw hand grenades into the emplacement. While all other members of his squad became casualties, he remained at his gun. When he ran out of ammunition, he fearlessly dashed across bullet-swept, open terrain to secure a new supply from a disabled friendly tank. A fierce barrage pierced the water jacket of his gun, but he continued to fire until the weapon overheated and jammed. Instead of withdrawing, he crawled 50 yards across coverless ground to another of his company's machineguns which had been silenced when its entire crew was killed. He continued to man this gun, giving support vitally needed by the infantry. At one time he came under direct fire from a hostile tank, which shot the glove from his hand with an armor-piercing shell but could not drive him from his position or stop his shooting. W hen the American forces were ordered to retire to their original positions, he remained at his gun, giving the only covering fire. Finally withdrawing, he cradled the heavy weapon in his left arm, slung a belt of ammunition over his shoulder, and walked to the rear, loosing small bursts at the enemy as he went. One hundred yards from safety, he was struck in the leg by a mortar shell; but, with a supreme effort, he crawled the remaining distance, dragging along the gun which had served him and his comrades so well."
Posted by Anonymoose 2012-03-02 08:24||   2012-03-02 08:24|| Front Page Top

#4 Anonymoose, Who is the "he" in this account of heroism?
Posted by JohnQC 2012-03-02 11:33||   2012-03-02 11:33|| Front Page Top

#5 Sounds like WWII stuff.
Posted by Whiskey Mike 2012-03-02 11:57||   2012-03-02 11:57|| Front Page Top

#6 Basilone?
Posted by Hellfish 2012-03-02 12:02||   2012-03-02 12:02|| Front Page Top

#7 Has to be Audie Murphy
Posted by blackjack 2012-03-02 13:52||   2012-03-02 13:52|| Front Page Top

#8 GERSTUNG, ROBERT E., found at Medal of Honor Citations.

I just looked for one involving mostly infantry combat, instead of aircraft, naval, or armor.

But my point is that what TSgt. Gerstung did is not uncommon among MoH recipients. Even today there have been several personnel whose actions in Iraq and Afghanistan *may* have reached the threshold of the MoH, "Gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty".

At every level of heroism exhibited in the military, the question must be asked "To what level of commendation does this rise?", of *each* level. Only when it clearly exceeds each level of commendation can the question be asked, "Then does it rise to the next level of commendation?"

Nobody has ever done anything that starts at the level of Medal of Honor. Even Alvin York or Audie Murphy.

This is why posthumous Medals of Honor can and should only be given after extensive testimony by actual witnesses on the scene. Even enemy testimony, if possible. If the potential recipient is still alive, he will have to endure considerable interrogation about every aspect of his actions.
Posted by Anonymoose 2012-03-02 14:40||   2012-03-02 14:40|| Front Page Top

#9 I respectfully submit this US Army Hero's chronicle from the WWII/Korean Era. Very solid and touching...

http://www.greatamericans.com/video/Portraits-of-Valor-Tibor-Rubin
Posted by Thosh Omugum4787 2012-03-02 23:01||   2012-03-02 23:01|| Front Page Top

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