Topic: Meet Our Medal of Honor Recipents

[rustybayonet]

CG has been doing a great job on the Coast Guard Hero thread, but for those on this site not a veteran of the Coast Guard as he and I are - I think all service heroes should be recognized, especially those very few awarded this countries highest ....The Congressional Medal of Honor.
There a three design types of 'the Medal'. 
One for the Army

One for the Navy / Marine Corp / Coast Guard

One for the Air Force

Most 'medals' have been awarded posthumously, but those still living deserve our utmost respect IMO.
So lets start with those still living.  With that I want to start with a gentleman I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and talking to at the Coast Guard Honor Guard Ball in 1997.  At the time he was Commanding General of all of the service Honor Guards in Washington DC......

Retired General Thomas Foley;
             

His citation;
FOLEY, ROBERT F.Rank: Captain : U.S. ArmyCompany: Company A, 2d BattalionDivision: 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Born: 30 May 1941, Newton, Mass.Departed: No Entered Service At: Newton, Mass. Date of Issue: 05/01/1968 Place / Date: Near Quan Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam, 5 November 1966 

  Citation:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Foley's company was ordered to extricate another company of the battalion. Moving through the dense jungle to aid the besieged unit, Company A encountered a strong enemy force occupying well concealed, defensive positions, and the company's leading element quickly sustained several casualties. Capt. Foley immediately ran forward to the scene of the most intense action to direct the company's efforts. Deploying 1 platoon on the flank, he led the other 2 platoons in an attack on the enemy in the face of intense fire. During this action both radio operators accompanying him were wounded. At grave risk to himself he defied the enemy's murderous fire, and helped the wounded operators to a position where they could receive medical care. As he moved forward again 1 of his machine gun crews was wounded. Seizing the weapon, he charged forward firing the machine gun, shouting orders and rallying his men, thus maintaining the momentum of the attack. Under increasingly heavy enemy fire he ordered his assistant to take cover and, alone, Capt. Foley continued to advance firing the machine gun until the wounded had been evacuated and the attack in this area could be resumed. When movement on the other flank was halted by the enemy's fanatical defense, Capt. Foley moved to personally direct this critical phase of the battle. Leading the renewed effort he was blown off his feet and wounded by an enemy grenade. Despite his painful wounds he refused medical aid and persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt. He led the assault on several enemy gun emplacements and, single-handedly, destroyed 3 such positions. His outstanding personal leadership under intense enemy fire during the fierce battle which lasted for several hours, inspired his men to heroic efforts and was instrumental in the ultimate success of the operation. Capt. Foley's magnificent courage, selfless concern for his men and professional skill reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

[oldcoastie6468]

I've never known anyone who earned the MOH.

[AlanS]

I've never known anyone who earned the MOH.

Me either, but I respect all of them.

[rustybayonet]

Next recipient is John P. Baca





BACA, JOHN P.Rank: Specialist Fourth Class: U.S. ArmyCompany: Company D, 1st BattalionDivision: 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry DivisionBorn: 10 January 1949, Providence, R.I.Entered Service At: Fort Ord, Calif. Date of Issue: 06/15/1971 Accredited To: CaliforniaPlace / Date: Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, 10 February 1970 

  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Baca, Company D, distinguished himself while serving on a recoilless rifle team during a night ambush mission A platoon from his company was sent to investigate the detonation of an automatic ambush device forward of his unit's main position and soon came under intense enemy fire from concealed positions along the trail. Hearing the heavy firing from the platoon position and realizing that his recoilless rifle team could assist the members of the besieged patrol, Sp4c. Baca led his team through the hail of enemy fire to a firing position within the patrol's defensive perimeter. As they prepared to engage the enemy, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into the midst of the patrol. Fully aware of the danger to his comrades, Sp4c. Baca unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety, covered the grenade with his steel helmet and fell on it as the grenade exploded, thereby absorbing the lethal fragments and concussion with his body. His gallant action and total disregard for his personal well-being directly saved 8 men from certain serious injury or death. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sp4c. Baca, at the risk of his life, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

[Libertas]

As kids we would play army games, flop on a grenade (usually a dirt clod) and save our mates like the hero in the movie, and thought any of us in real life wouldn't hesitate to do so if we faced it.  Then we grow up.  Not such an easy thing to do now is it?  There is always a doubt in the mind how one would react under real duress, fearing to face the possibility and fearing to fail your buddies, which wins out? It's always awed me that people can make that choice, having had someone do that so you survive has to place a special burden on those who were thus saved.  A lifetime could be spent repaying the act and the payment would still feel inadequate.

 

[oldcoastie6468]

As kids we would play army games, flop on a grenade (usually a dirt clod) and save our mates like the hero in the movie, and thought any of us in real life wouldn't hesitate to do so if we faced it.  Then we grow up.  Not such an easy thing to do now is it?  There is always a doubt in the mind how one would react under real duress, fearing to face the possibility and fearing to fail your buddies, which wins out? It's always awed me that people can make that choice, having had someone do that so you survive has to place a special burden on those who were thus saved.  A lifetime could be spent repaying the act and the payment would still feel inadequate.

 

I think as we mature, we'd find it much easier to fall on a grenade to save our buddies than when we were our 20s - 40s.

[Libertas]

As kids we would play army games, flop on a grenade (usually a dirt clod) and save our mates like the hero in the movie, and thought any of us in real life wouldn't hesitate to do so if we faced it.  Then we grow up.  Not such an easy thing to do now is it?  There is always a doubt in the mind how one would react under real duress, fearing to face the possibility and fearing to fail your buddies, which wins out? It's always awed me that people can make that choice, having had someone do that so you survive has to place a special burden on those who were thus saved.  A lifetime could be spent repaying the act and the payment would still feel inadequate.

 

I think as we mature, we'd find it much easier to fall on a grenade to save our buddies than when we were our 20s - 40s.

There is that.  Being an older goat now...I reckon if it came to it I would do pretty much what I have to in order save my nephews for example.

[rustybayonet]

MOH recipient #3


The Citation;
BALLARD, DONALD E.Rank: Hospital Corpsman Second Class  U.S. Navy: Company M, 3d BattalionDivision: 4th Marines, 3d Marine DivisionBorn: 5 December 1945, Kansas City, Mo.Departed:  Date of Issue: 05/14/1970Accredited To: Kansas City, MOPlace / Date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 May 1968 

  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Company M, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating 2 heat casualties, HC2c. Ballard was returning to his platoon from the evacuation landing zone when the company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army unit employing automatic weapons and mortars, and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded marine, HC2c. Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. HC2c. Ballard then directed 4 marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the 4 men prepared to move the wounded marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and, after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the small group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the marines, HC2c. Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other marine casualties. HC2c. Ballard's heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow marines. His courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

[Libertas]

Corpsman have one of the toughest jobs in any outfit but their men usually love the heck out of em because they know they'll do whatever it takes to keep them alive.  This fella had someone looking out for him, the Big Corpsman in the Sky!

    

[rustybayonet]

Medal of Honor recipient #4



Harvey C. Barnum, Col. USMC [ret]


BARNUM, HARVEY C., JR.Rank: 1st Lieutenant: U.S. Marine Corps: Company H, 2d Battalion Division: 9th Marines, 3d Marine DivisionBorn: 21 July 1940, Cheshire, Conn. Entered Service At: Cheshire, Conn.: Date of Issue: 02/27/1967Accredited To: Place / Date: Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 December 1965 

  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. When the company was suddenly pinned down by a hail of extremely accurate enemy fire and was quickly separated from the remainder of the battalion by over 500 meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly. Lt. Barnum quickly made a hazardous reconnaissance of the area, seeking targets for his artillery. Finding the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed, he, with complete disregard for his safety, gave aid to the dying commander, then removed the radio from the dead operator and strapped it to himself. He immediately assumed command of the rifle company, and moving at once into the midst of the heavy fire, rallying and giving encouragement to all units, reorganized them to replace the loss of key personnel and led their attack on enemy positions from which deadly fire continued to come. His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with 2 armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing 1 platoon in a successful counterattack on the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of 2 transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion's objective. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

[Libertas]

That's the way to take charge and turn a situation around!      

[rustybayonet]

#5 Our next recipient;





BEIKIRCH, GARY B.Rank: Sergeant: U.S. Army: Company BDivision: 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special ForcesBorn: 29 August 1947, Rochester, N.Y.Entered Service At: Buffalo, N.Y.G.O. Number: Date of Issue: 10/15/1973Accredited To: Buffalo, NYPlace / Date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 1 April 1970 

  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Beikirch, medical aidman, Detachment B-24, Company B, distinguished himself during the defense of Camp Dak Seang. The allied defenders suffered a number of casualties as a result of an intense, devastating attack launched by the enemy from well-concealed positions surrounding the camp. Sgt. Beikirch, with complete disregard for his personal safety, moved unhesitatingly through the withering enemy fire to his fallen comrades, applied first aid to their wounds and assisted them to the medical aid station. When informed that a seriously injured American officer was lying in an exposed position, Sgt. Beikirch ran immediately through the hail of fire. Although he was wounded seriously by fragments from an exploding enemy mortar shell, Sgt. Beikirch carried the officer to a medical aid station. Ignoring his own serious injuries, Sgt. Beikirch left the relative safety of the medical bunker to search for and evacuate other men who had been injured. He was again wounded as he dragged a critically injured Vietnamese soldier to the medical bunker while simultaneously applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to sustain his life. Sgt. Beikirch again refused treatment and continued his search for other casualties until he collapsed. Only then did he permit himself to be treated. Sgt. Beikirch's complete devotion to the welfare of his comrades, at the risk of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

[Libertas]

People with no quit in them that keep going back into the fray fill me with awe.

 

[rustybayonet]

Recipient #6





BRADY, PATRICK HENRY Rank: Major: U.S. Army Company: 54th Medical Detachment Division: 67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade Born: 1 October 1936, Philip, S. Dak.Entered Service At: Seattle, Wash.: Date of Issue: 10/09/1969Accredited To: Seattle, WAPlace / Date: Near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, 6 January 1968 

  Citation:  For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Maj. Brady distinguished himself while serving in the Republic of Vietnam commanding a UH-1H ambulance helicopter, volunteered to rescue wounded men from a site in enemy held territory which was reported to be heavily defended and to be blanketed by fog. To reach the site he descended through heavy fog and smoke and hovered slowly along a valley trail, turning his ship sideward to blow away the fog with the backwash from his rotor blades. Despite the unchallenged, close-range enemy fire, he found the dangerously small site, where he successfully landed and evacuated 2 badly wounded South Vietnamese soldiers. He was then called to another area completely covered by dense fog where American casualties lay only 50 meters from the enemy. Two aircraft had previously been shot down and others had made unsuccessful attempts to reach this site earlier in the day. With unmatched skill and extraordinary courage, Maj. Brady made 4 flights to this embattled landing zone and successfully rescued all the wounded. On his third mission of the day Maj. Brady once again landed at a site surrounded by the enemy. The friendly ground force, pinned down by enemy fire, had been unable to reach and secure the landing zone. Although his aircraft had been badly damaged and his controls partially shot away during his initial entry into this area, he returned minutes later and rescued the remaining injured. Shortly thereafter, obtaining a replacement aircraft, Maj. Brady was requested to land in an enemy minefield where a platoon of American soldiers was trapped. A mine detonated near his helicopter, wounding 2 crewmembers and damaging his ship. In spite of this, he managed to fly 6 severely injured patients to medical aid. Throughout that day Maj. Brady utilized 3 helicopters to evacuate a total of 51 seriously wounded men, many of whom would have perished without prompt medical treatment. Maj. Brady's bravery was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

[Libertas]

Aye, there's a brave angel of mercy!   

[Miltrainer]

I was able to meet a couple of Medal of Honor recipients. One was my first sergeant when I went to basic training. He was the nicest mild mannered man. He actually was proud to meet me and my two other brothers. We went though basic training and AIT at the same time. He thought it amazing to see siblings enlisting at the same time. You would have never guessed that he was a recipient. Just found out that he passed away in 2010.

The other one I briefly met while working for a command group. He was the Personal Aid to a General. 

[Libertas]

Never have met any recipeint myself, but unless in dress uni's you probably wouldn't know any major awardees unless someone pointed them out or you personally knew them.  And that's just living recipients.  Meeting one would be an honor.

[rustybayonet]

Recipient #7





BUCHA, PAUL WILLIAM Rank: Captain: U.S. Army: Company D, 3d BattalionDivision: 187th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne DivisionBorn: 1 August 1943, Washington, D.C. Entered Service At: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.: Date of Issue: 05/14/1970Accredited To: New YorkPlace / Date: Near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16- 19 March 1968 

  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Bucha distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer, Company D, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission against enemy forces near Phuoc Vinh, The company was inserted by helicopter into the suspected enemy stronghold to locate and destroy the enemy. During this period Capt. Bucha aggressively and courageously led his men in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated scattered resistance impeding the advance of the company. On 18 March while advancing to contact, the lead elements of the company became engaged by the heavy automatic weapon, heavy machine gun, rocket propelled grenade, Claymore mine and small-arms fire of an estimated battalion-size force. Capt. Bucha, with complete disregard for his safety, moved to the threatened area to direct the defense and ordered reinforcements to the aid of the lead element. Seeing that his men were pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from a concealed bunker located some 40 meters to the front of the positions, Capt. Bucha crawled through the hail of fire to single-handedly destroy the bunker with grenades. During this heroic action Capt. Bucha received a painful shrapnel wound. Returning to the perimeter, he observed that his unit could not hold its positions and repel the human wave assaults launched by the determined enemy. Capt. Bucha ordered the withdrawal of the unit elements and covered the withdrawal to positions of a company perimeter from which he could direct fire upon the charging enemy. When 1 friendly element retrieving casualties was ambushed and cut off from the perimeter, Capt. Bucha ordered them to feign death and he directed artillery fire around them. During the night Capt. Bucha moved throughout the position, distributing ammunition, providing encouragement and insuring the integrity of the defense. He directed artillery, helicopter gunship and Air Force gunship fire on the enemy strong points and attacking forces, marking the positions with smoke grenades. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers, he directed the medical evacuation of 3 air-ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel and the helicopter supply of his company. At daybreak Capt. Bucha led a rescue party to recover the dead and wounded members of the ambushed element. During the period of intensive combat, Capt. Bucha, by his extraordinary heroism, inspirational example, outstanding leadership and professional competence, led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield. His bravery and gallantry at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, Capt. Bucha has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

[Libertas]

Reads like an Audie Murphy scene, doesn't it?

 

[rustybayonet]

Recipient #8





CAFFERATA, HECTOR A., JR.Rank: Private: U.S. Marine Corps: Company FDivision: 7th Marines, 1st Marine DivisionBorn: 4 November 1929, New York, N.Y. Entered Service At: Dover, N.J.: Date of Issue: 11/24/1950 Accredited To: New JerseyPlace / Date: Korea, 28 November 1950 

  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company F, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When all the other members of his fire team became casualties, creating a gap in the lines, during the initial phase of a vicious attack launched by a fanatical enemy of regimental strength against his company's hill position, Pvt. Cafferata waged a lone battle with grenades and rifle fire as the attack gained momentum and the enemy threatened penetration through the gap and endangered the integrity of the entire defensive perimeter. Making a target of himself under the devastating fire from automatic weapons, rifles, grenades, and mortars, he maneuvered up and down the line and delivered accurate and effective fire against the onrushing force, killing 15, wounding many more, and forcing the others to withdraw so that reinforcements could move up and consolidate the position. Again fighting desperately against a renewed onslaught later that same morning when a hostile grenade landed in a shallow entrenchment occupied by wounded marines, Pvt. Cafferata rushed into the gully under heavy fire, seized the deadly missile in his right hand and hurled it free of his comrades before it detonated, severing part of 1 finger and seriously wounding him in the right hand and arm. Courageously ignoring the intense pain, he staunchly fought on until he was struck by a sniper's bullet and forced to submit to evacuation for medical treatment Stouthearted and indomitable, Pvt. Cafferata, by his fortitude, great personal valor, and dauntless perseverance in the face of almost certain death, saved the lives of several of his fellow marines and contributed essentially to the success achieved by his company in maintaining its defensive position against tremendous odds. His extraordinary heroism throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.