Monday, February 13, 2012

One Medal For The Brave...!

There are so many heroes in the history of our military, it would be hard to pick out just one to be awarded a medal.

Probably a decision I would not want to make, given the sheer number of candidates. I mean, there are some very close calls on who is given this particular medal. Sadly, more times than not, the Medal Of Honor is awarded those that have passed on!

Feb 13, 1861:
First Medal of Honor action

The earliest military action to be revered with a Medal of Honor award is performed by Colonel Bernard J.D. Irwin, an assistant army surgeon serving in the first major U.S.-Apache conflict. Near Apache Pass, in southeastern Arizona, Irwin, an Irish-born doctor, volunteered to go to the rescue of Second Lieutenant George N. Bascom, who was trapped with 60 men of the U.S. Seventh Infantry by the Chiricahua Apaches. Irwin and 14 men, initially without horses, began the 100-mile trek to Bascom's forces riding on mules. After fighting and capturing Apaches along the way and recovering stolen horses and cattle, they reached Bascom's forces on February 14 and proved instrumental in breaking the siege.

The first U.S.-Apache conflict had begun several days before, when Cochise, the Chiricahua Apache chief, kidnapped three white men to exchange for his brother and two nephews held by the U.S. Army on false charges of stealing cattle and kidnapping a child. When the exchange was refused, Cochise killed the white men, and the army responded by killing his relatives, setting off the first of the Apache wars.

Although Irwin's bravery in this conflict was the earliest Medal of Honor action, the award itself was not created until 1862, and it was not until January 21, 1894, that Irwin received the nation's highest military honor.

Even though the Medal of Honor is awarded to so few, no doubt there are many more that deserve it as well! How in the world could you ever choose?

Since it's so chilly outside, let's stay in the kitchen this morning! OK?

6 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

You might guess it was all started by government treachery!

Rob said...

Good story. Yes coffee inside this am, 40 here in Orlando currently.

JO said...

I believe every man and women should be given a medal that has been in combat. But I know that just isn't possible.

You folks are sure having some crazy weather down south.
Stay warm.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
Always trying to make themselves seem like the good guys, when sometimes they aren't.

I get disappointed in our government at times for the way they act, but it seems they have been acting that way for a long, long time.

Thanks for coming over this morning!


Hey Rob...
Wow! Colder in Florida than here in Houston! Sorry 'bout that!

Still, I always have room at the kitchen table for one more!

Thanks for dropping by this rainy morning!


Hey JoJo...
I totally agree with you, sweetie! Both on the medals and on the crazy weather we are getting here on the coast!

You take care this morning and thank you for the visit!

Paul said...

Georges, yeah... guvmint treachery but still, the men and women who have earned the Medal of Honor are a revered, special breed, and I will always hold them sacred in my heart.

I seldom have the privilege of meeting a MOH recipient any longer but, when I do, I still snap to attention and render a crisp salute. They deserve it!

JoJo... every person who serves in the military during any qualifying action is awarded a medal for it. It's called the National Defense Service Medal and is represented by a red and yellow ribbon on their uniform. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defense_Service_Medal

I was very proud to receive mine on graduation day from basic training, during Viet Nam. It is the oldest service medal still in use today. It meant more to me to receive that medal than any other I was ever presented with.

BBC said...

So our ancestors came over here killed a bunch of natives, are we supposed to be proud of this?

My first wife was native american, she was some good fucking.