This is the Medal of Honor, the highest award for gallantry in action that the United States Armed Forces bestows upon the bravest of the brave. The design is slightly different between the naval forces (Navy and Marine Corps), Army, and Air Force.
Did you know that three recipients recently died? Desmond Doss, Sr., Michael Novosel, and David Bleak all recently passed away.
Desmond Doss, Sr. received his MOH for actions in World War II. Desmond was a conscientious objector, but he still had a sense of duty and patriotism. Don't confuse his being a CO with the current crop of CO's, who are mostly cowards with no sense of honor or duty or country. Desmond wanted to serve his country, but he just could not bring himself to carry a weapon and kill his fellow man. What did he do? Well, Desmond became a medic, and his calling happened during the battle for Okinawa. While under enemy fire on the island of Okinawa, Doss carried 75 wounded soldiers to the edge of a 400-foot cliff and lowered them to safety, according to his citation. During a later attack, he was seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade. According to the citation, as he was being carried to safety, he saw a more critically injured man and crawled off his stretcher, directing the medics to help the other wounded man.
Michael Novosel received his MOH for actions in Vietnam. For Michael, Vietnam was his third war. Michael flew 2543 missions. On Oct. 2, 1969, he commanded his Bell UH-1 Huey to a heavily guarded enemy training area to rescue wounded South Vietnamese soldiers. Without a U.S. gunship to cover him, he searched close to the tall elephant grass teaming with enemy snipers to find the wounded Allied soldiers. "Since all communications with the beleaguered troops had been lost, he repeatedly circled the battle area, flying at low level under continuous heavy fire, to attract the attention of the scattered friendly troops," his Medal of Honor citation said. "This display of courage visibly raised their morale, as they recognized this as a signal to assemble for evacuation." Compelled to leave the area because of the ferocity of the enemy fire, he returned many times to find the injured soldiers. He once maneuvered the helicopter backward to pick up a South Vietnamese casualty near an enemy bunker and, under intense automatic weapon fire, Mr. Novosel was wounded in the right leg and hand. Although he briefly lost control of the chopper, he was able to maneuver to safety. He was credited with saving 29 lives that day.
David Bleak received his MOH for actions in Korea. On June14, 1952, David volunteered to go on patrol. The patrol was ambushed. A soldier was injured. David went to tend to the injured soldier when three enemy soldiers appeared and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. David broke the neck of the first one, crushed the windpipe of the second one, and dispatched the third one with his trench knife. A grenade fell nearby. David used his body to shield the wounded soldier, sustaining injuries. David picked up the wounded man and began to carry him to safety when he was confronted by two enemy soldiers brandishing bayonets. David grabbed them and smashed their heads together, crushing their skulls. He then got the wounded man to safety. No Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy novel can match the true events of David Bleak that June day.
So, there you are. They are now marching proudly on God's parade field. Measure what you do to what they have done on a daily basis, and you will always aspire to be better. There is no greater glory than to be an American Hero. They stood head and shoulders above the rest.
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