How many MOH recipients have you met or seen in your military career?

CPT Earl George — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 22:59:20 -0400

I had a discussion with Charles C Hagemeister when he was S-1 3/7th Cav and did not know he was a recipient until he mentioned it.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 3 at 2016 11:05 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 23:05:34 -0400

CPT Earl George I have not had the opportunity to meet any MOH. It is a honor if I ever did meet one though.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2016 12:03 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 00:03:33 -0400

I have met 0 in my career but I met I have met three before that. Col James Flemming USAF, CW4 Michael Novosel USA and Capt Raymond Murphy USMC

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Jun 4 at 2016 12:49 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 00:49:41 -0400

I met LT Bob Kerry and EN2 Mike Thornton before they received their MOH while attached to SEAL Team One in 1971.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jun 4 at 2016 3:17 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 03:17:09 -0400

Two: Master Sergeant Richard Pittman when he was in the Provost Marshal's office at Camp Pendleton in 1986.

Colonel Lewis Millett was our honorary regimental commander for the 27th Infantry regiment.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 4 at 2016 9:33 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 09:33:12 -0400

Seen a few but only knew one. Don Ross was a hero on the Nevada at Pearl Harbor. Got the forward dynamo room going, passed out, went back, and did it all over again. He was an occasional speaker at the various birthday balls up in the Pacific Northwest. Talked to him more privately in the hospital as my wife was a respiratory therapist giving treatments or doing pulmonary tests. Funny and humbling that he asked my wife to have me come in to chat. Just a regular guy who was very focused on what he had to do.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2016 8:02 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 20:02:53 -0400

I was in gaggle-formation, waiting for a Brigade Commander speech, when our First Sergeant got all excited, called us to attention, and had us render a salute. I was all confused as a Master Sergeant walked by - and returned that salute. As we were given the command of "At Ease," Top told us that it was MSG Roy Benavidez.

Years later, living in Cleveland, I lived in an apartment above Frank Herda. I would have never known if my water heater hadn't died and flooded his apartment. I went down to apologize and saw a small shadow-box with the medal. Over the course of a year or so, we had beers together on several occasions.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Jan 9 at 2017 10:02 AM

MSgt George Cater — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 10:02:48 -0500

Served with or spoke at some length with:
1. MajGen James Livingston, CG 4th MARDIV, I was his S-3 Chief. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Livingston
2. SgtMaj Alan Kellogg, Regimental SgtMaj, 3rd Marines https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_J._Kellogg
3. LTC Jay Zeamer, WW2 pilot USAAF
4. LtCol John Bolt, USMC, two war ace - WW2 & Korea
5. Cpl Duane E. Dewey, USMC, smothered a grenade and lived, Korea.
6. MSgt Richard Pittman, USMC, Vietnam.
Plus I was entrusted with handling the first Marine MOH of WW2, 1Lt George Ham Cannon, at the ceremony when his family donated his medal for permanent display at his HS alma mater, Culver Military Academy. I received it at the chapel ceremony and placed it in the display case, where I presume it is still today.
Don't know how I lucked out to meet or know so many great men, but I'm thankful for it.

James E. Livingston - Wikipedia

Major General James Everett Livingston (born January 12, 1940) is a retired United States Marine Corps major general. He was awarded the United States' highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for heroic actions in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Livingston served on active duty in the Marine Corps over 33 years before retiring on September 1, 1995. His last assignment was the Commanding General of Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans,...

Response by CSM Michael Sweeney made Feb 1 at 2017 8:32 PM

CSM Michael Sweeney — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:32:09 -0500

Two. My company commander in 1971. He received his for actions in Viet Nam. He also lost a leg in that action and remained Active Duty by smoking all standards and because he wanted to stay for a career. The second was CSM Frank Miller. I served with him for a couple of years when he was a MSG.