Who do you think should be awarded the Medal of Honor who hasn't already? Why?

2015-05-20T10:51:20-04:00

In your opinion, who should be awarded the Medal of Honor, who has not already? What is your reasoning for awarding the person?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 20 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-05-20T10:59:11-04:00

I would say MAJ Dick Winters of Easy Co, 2/506 PIR fame.

BUT

I have an issue with the re-evaluating of MOH awards in some respects. MAJ Disk Winters was a "victim" of a quota system by the 101st and higher for the D-Day landings. Scholars smarter than I (and that's quite a few) have debated over his action that awarded him the DSC - taking out the 4 German AA guns at Brecourt Manor - for decades. I personally see the action as MOH worthy and I believe the general consensus favored upgrading it. Unfortunately MAJ Winters did not live to see his award upgraded. At this point what would be the reason to upgrade it other than for historical sake.

I would never stand against any award upgrade, I would always be questioning the WHY behind it. IMHO, in general if a combat action for whatever reason - to include quotas - wasn't deemed worthy by the powers that be for awarding of the MOH at that time, within that generation or the individual's lifetime, then what does awarding it resolve after the fact? Yes it brings great pride to the family if there are any survivors and it amends history to a degree but the action was so long ago.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 20 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-05-20T11:00:48-04:00

That is a good but very tough question. Many service members put in for the medal of honor were "downgraded" to Distinguished Service Crosses. I think that group of soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors should have their records examined first.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-05-20T11:25:27-04:00

SFC Alwyn Cashe. I think reading what he sacrificed for his soldiers says it all.
http://www.stripes.com/recognition-sought-for-soldier-s-heroic-acts-1.156727

Recognition sought for soldier’s heroic acts

When the roadside bomb detonated, it ripped through the fuel tank of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and ignited like napalm. The seven men seated inside were knocked unconscious and had no chance to escape the fire.

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 20 at 2015 11:34 AM

2015-05-20T11:34:54-04:00

I would have said Henry Lincoln Johnson of the Harlem Hellfighters but his was upgraded 6 days ago. Another person I think might be worthy of consideration for the MOH is SGM Bradley Kasal, his actions in Fallujah definitely merit consideration.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 20 at 2015 9:16 PM

2015-05-20T21:16:22-04:00

CPT Beaver, thank you for this opportunity.

WASHINGTON — When the roadside bomb detonated, it ripped through the fuel tank of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and ignited like napalm. The seven men seated inside were knocked unconscious and had no chance to escape the fire.

But the gunner, Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, managed to crawl out of the burning wreckage. Wounded and drenched in diesel fuel, he pulled the Bradley’s driver from his seat before the flames reached there, dragging him to safety.

And then he went back.

The 16-year Army veteran had seen a dozen of his men die on that tour in Iraq, and he couldn’t bear to lose another. His uniform caught fire as he desperately tried to open the Bradley’s hatch.

By the time he got in, all he had on was his body armor and helmet, the rest of his uniform in ashes or seared to his skin. With help, he carried one of his dying men out of the fire and back to horrified medics trying to triage their charred colleagues.

And then he went back.

Soldiers couldn’t tell what rounds pinging off the Bradley were from insurgents’ weapons and which ones were from their own ammunition ablaze in the vehicle. As he reached the next soldier, Cashe tried to douse the fire on his uniform, only to realize that his own skin was peeling off from the heat. As another soldier helped pat out the flames, Cashe moved the next wounded friend to safety.

And then he went back.

Cashe was the last of the injured to be evacuated from the scene. Doctors later said he suffered second and third degree burns over 90 percent of his body, but he still walked off the battlefield under his own power.

He spent the next three weeks at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio trying to recover as his men died one by one in adjoining rooms. Of the seven he helped evacuate, five could not survive the burns.

Cashe’s family said that time was full of pain and grief for the platoon sergeant, his only consolation being that some of those Army brothers had the chance to say goodbye to their families.

When his own family asked why he ran into the fire, knowing he would burn, knowing it would cost his life, Cashe told them, “I had made peace with my God, but I didn’t know if my men had yet.”

Cashe was the last from that battle to die. A week after he passed away, the Army awarded him the Silver Star, the third-highest combat military decoration a servicemember can receive for battlefield heroism.

That was six years ago. Now, his family, his men, his commanders and veterans who never met Cashe want to know why this hero — a man who willingly embraced a painful, fiery death to save his fellow soldiers — has not been given the military’s highest award, and the recognition he deserves.

Response by LCDR Jamie Galus made May 21 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-05-21T13:29:29-04:00

This one is a no brainier.

COL John Ripley, USMC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ripley_(USMC)

John Ripley (USMC) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Walter Ripley (June 29, 1939 – October 28, 2008) was a United States Marine Corps officer who received the Navy Cross for his actions in combat during the Vietnam War. On Easter morning 1972, Captain Ripley repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire over a three hour period as he prepared to blow up an essential bridge in Dong Ha. His actions significantly hampered the North Vietnamese Army's advance into South Vietnam. The story of...

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Apr 27 at 2016 2:58 PM

2016-04-27T14:58:27-04:00

Sgt Rafael Peralta. Standards were applied to this nomination that were never utilized for others. In our hearts we know this Marine not only earned it, but deserves it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Peralta

Rafael Peralta - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sergeant Rafael Peralta (April 7, 1979– November 15, 2004), assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, was a United States Marine killed in combat during Second Battle of Fallujah in the city of Fallujah, Iraq. In September 2008 his family was notified that he was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest award a United States Marine can receive.[1] In...

Response by PO3 Kenneth Durbin made Apr 28 at 2018 11:12 AM

2018-04-28T11:12:41-04:00

Richard Winters (Medal of Honor)
WWII Veteran, one of & if not the best leaders of men in this nations history. From Normandy to taking Hitlers Eagles Nest, he lead from the front not from behind.