National Medal of Honor Day (1 Viewer)

[beer 30]

Up until a few years ago I had no idea there even was a Medal of Honor day so ever year I try to bring attention to honor these great men that the majority of the time sacrificed all for their brothers in arms. As I was thinking about what to write in this thread it struck me that while most of us stand up and cheer when a medal of honor recipient is introduced or pause for a moment of reverence when actions of a fallen hero are discussed unless you have actually served in a combat situation, most of us will never truly appreciate just what a sacrifice these men have made. It really humbled me for some reason so while I attempt to bring honor and attention to those who have been awarded the medal of honor I also take time to thank those of you who have proudly served in our nations armed forces.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

May He make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

May He lift up his countenance upon you,

And at the end of your day warriors,

May He truly give you the peace you deserve

God bless you all and thank you!

National Medal of Honor Day

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Medal of Honor Citations

 

[beer 30]

Obligatory bump for Sunday March 25th

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

In honor of my cousin, David Stanford, 504 PIR, who died in the aftermath of Operation Market Garden, Sept., 1944, I provide the following MOH citation of his friend, Pvt. Johnny Towle, from Cleveland, OH: who is the only MOH winner from the 504th:

TOWLE, JOHN R.

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company C, 504th Parachute Infantry, 82d Airborne Division.

Place and date: Near Oosterhout, Holland, 21 September 1944.

Entered service at: Cleveland, Ohio.

Birth: Cleveland, Ohio.

G.O. No.: 18, 15 March 1945.

Citation. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 21 September 1944, near Oosterhout, Holland. The rifle company in which Pvt. Towle served as rocket launcher gunner was occupying a defensive position in the west sector of the recently established Nijmegen bridgehead when a strong enemy force of approximately 100 infantry supported by 2 tanks and a half-track formed for a counterattack. With full knowledge of the disastrous consequences resulting not only to his company but to the entire bridgehead by an enemy breakthrough, Pvt. Towle immediately and without orders left his foxhole and moved 200 yards in the face of Intense small-arms fire to a position on an exposed dike roadbed. From this precarious position Pvt. Towle fired his rocket launcher at and hit both tanks to his immediate front. Armored skirting on both tanks prevented penetration by the projectiles, but both vehicles withdrew slightly damaged. Still under intense fire and fully exposed to the enemy, Pvt. Towle then engaged a nearby house which 9 Germans had entered and were using as a strongpoint and with 1 round killed all 9. Hurriedly replenishing his supply of ammunition, Pvt. Towle, motivated only by his high conception of duty which called for the destruction of the enemy at any cost, then rushed approximately 125 yards through grazing enemy fire to an exposed position from which he could engage the enemy half-track with his rocket launcher. While in a kneeling position preparatory to firing on the enemy vehicle, Pvt. Towle was mortally wounded by a mortar shell. By his heroic tenacity, at the price of his life, Pvt. Towle saved the lives of many of his comrades and was directly instrumental in breaking up the enemy counterattack.

 

[beer 30]

Good stuff Freak, such a shame that more of those men didn't receive the recognition they deserved for the actions they performed. So many of these stories in the para units that go untold.

 

[Cobra]

Thank you.

 

[beer 302]

Annual bump, late to the party today thanks to work but no less inspired!

God bless these fine men and what they have done for our country, some pretty awesome reads in the history of the medal. Much respect!

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

God bless these fine men and what they have done for our country, some pretty awesome reads in the history of the medal. Much respect!

 

[beer 302]

Another bump for the valiant. Thank you all, past & present, for what you have done and continue to do for me & mine. My appreciation & gratitude seem slight compared to your sacrifice.