Posted on Jan 19, 2017
Why do most recent Medal of Honor recipients leave the military shortly after being awarded it?
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Mainly speaking about the latest MoH recipients from the Global War on Terrorism. I understand you receive a number of benefits for being a recipient of the award, such as; $1200 per month for life, 10% increase in military retirement pension, qualified dependents are automatically approved for attendance at military academies, commissary and PX privileges for life, the list goes on and on. Just wondering why the ones that had under 20 years wouldn't finish. Any thoughts on this?
Please follow the this link for more information.
http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/06/the-benefits-for-medal-of-honor-recipeints/
Please follow the this link for more information.
http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/06/the-benefits-for-medal-of-honor-recipeints/
Medal of Honor
Military service
Benefits
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 206
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What troubles me most about this award is the witness provision. Having said this I think that those that receive it think about and survive are those that allowed them the opportunity to act on their behalf and cause them to move in such a heroic manner. They are all humble. There are so many that had no witness to their efforts and have never been recognized. I weep whenever I think of my friend 1SG Max Yabes and his family. Can you imagine those in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam that never received recognition?
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Col Jonathan Brazee
Colonel John Ripley, who single-handedly held back an NVA registment at Dong Ha, received the Navy Cross. He would have received the MOH, but there were no Americans who observed what he did. Everyone knew what he'd done, and he ended up getting a Navy ship named after him, but the MOH requirements require an American witness.
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You become a paid advertisement for the Military. They put you on TDY status and then tour the Country, touting what happened to you and how you barely survived. It get olds after a while, especially when you want to return back to a normal life, free from all of the ignorance and military restrictions. Saw it happen to one of my patients, they just grow tired of it.
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A while ago while I attended the Naval Academy, someone told me that it was because if they stayed in service and got captured or killed, it would look bad on the US. Morale among the citizens would fall and our enemies would show-boat it forever. I think either a Medal of Honor recipient or professor who spoke with another told me that.
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John Basilone won he Medal of Honor on Guadalcanal during WWII. After touring the US to raise money for the war effort. he requested reassignment to a combat unit. He was killed on Iwo Jima, and awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
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The medical issue is probably the big reason. There is no basis in the comment that they can't be deployed if medically fit. I had the pleasure of serving with SSG John Cavainni long after he received his medal and one of my commanding generals was LTG Foley, so yes , they can deploy. I had the honor of helping to host Nashville Salutes to Medal of Honor Recipients a few years ago. A very humbling experience. Most of the 35 present who did not finish a carreer were medically retire. Some were just ready to move on.
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most of the time its because their wounds would take them out of the service, plus all of the norms go out the window.
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I saw this article on FB and was curious as to why the MOH recipients left shortly after .
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Actually, I knew Frank Miller four years after he was awarded the MOH, and he continued on active duty for several years.
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Not all retire. I worked for then Gunnery Sergeant Richard A. Pittman. CMH winner from Vietnam Nam
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MSG William McDonald
Julie it was an honor and privilege working for your father. sorry to hear of his passing
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