Posted on Mar 17, 2019
Why Do So Many Medals of Honor Go to Irish Troops? Here's One Theory
889
17
5
9
9
0
Posted in these groups: 
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
3
3
0
Same reason many Irish became cops. It’s in their blood to look out for others.
(3)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Some of it is just a numbers game. Just over 3500, just over 2000 to Irish folks.
Let’s remember though, the Medal of Honor today means something a little different than it did originally. About 2300 MH were issued prior to WW1. For much different reason. Heck, the 7 month occupation of Veracruz in 1914 resulted in 56 being awarded.
About 1500 went out in the Civil War alone. And the composition of the military in those days was very Irish. Irish immigrants were on the poorer end of the spectrum, and folks f means could pay Irish folks to take their place if drafted. Over 150,000 Irish served for union in the Civil war.
Point is.. the military had a very large Irish population in eras when Medals of Honor were given out with regularity. Rather than looking at it with a stereotypical lens, timing and a numbers examination will probably better explain why.
Let’s remember though, the Medal of Honor today means something a little different than it did originally. About 2300 MH were issued prior to WW1. For much different reason. Heck, the 7 month occupation of Veracruz in 1914 resulted in 56 being awarded.
About 1500 went out in the Civil War alone. And the composition of the military in those days was very Irish. Irish immigrants were on the poorer end of the spectrum, and folks f means could pay Irish folks to take their place if drafted. Over 150,000 Irish served for union in the Civil war.
Point is.. the military had a very large Irish population in eras when Medals of Honor were given out with regularity. Rather than looking at it with a stereotypical lens, timing and a numbers examination will probably better explain why.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
2
2
0
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google