Medal Of Honor; why does the media call them "winners" when they are "recipients"?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 May 2014 21:35:38 -0400

Something that bugs me is the fact that a recipient the Medal Of Honor is often called a "WINNER" in the media. A decoration of this stature is not won, it is earned, never given. Not one of the recipients would tell you this is what they were trying to get. It is being at the wrong place at the right time and having the courage to face adversity with an unflinching eye. Most who have received this honor are no longer with us, those who have it and lived will never lose the memories of how it was earned. Once again the Medal Of Honor is not won, it is earned.......

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 15 at 2014 11:13 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Thu, 15 May 2014 23:13:40 -0400

I gree with your sentiments SSgt Miller. I always refer to them as recipient's and not winners.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Jun 21 at 2014 12:55 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 12:55:54 -0400

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/sfc-alwyn-cashe-should-be-awarded-the-medal-of-honor-for-his-heroics-under-fire-you-be-the-judge?urlhash=160122#160122

SFC Alwyn Cashe Should Be Awarded The Medal Of Honor For His Heroics Under Fire . You be the...

This is personal to me, I was a Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning, GA (Jan 06-Jan 08)on Sand Hill. We would train the privates at the Close Combat Quarters facility doing Urban Ops at Cashe village. It would always start out with his story given by the 1SG, which gave us the motivation to take the objective and conduct high speed training. Drills out there you know this story. What a hero for all. Very deserving of the Medal of Honor. We were...

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 1:26 AM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 01:26:16 -0400

One does not simply "win" a MoH.. The same way one does not simply "win" a Purple Heart. The media will never understand what they are talking about when it comes to the military, nor will the understand the courage and sacrifice..

Though I'd like to also say one thing, the Medal of Honor is neither won, given, nor 'earned' - it is awarded. I don't think you will see too many MoH recipients who would argue that they "earned" it.. they did their job, acted courageously in the face of almost certain death (in most cases), and had the Medal of Honor awarded to them, alive or dead. The country considers them to be Heroes. They rarely consider this themselves. I doubt anyone has ever thrown themselves into a situation thinking first "This is sure to get me that MoH". It is the last thing on their mind.

God bless the men who have earned the Medal of Honor, for they are truly those who embody the ideals of honor, courage, and commitment.