Congressional Medal of Honor

[James48843]

Read the story here, of SGT (then Corporal) Dakatoa Meyer, who will be receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his actions in Afghanistan, Sept 8, 2009.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Removed from an ambushed platoon of Marines and soldiers in a remote Afghan village on Sept. 8, 2009, his reality viciously shaken by an onslaught of enemy fighters, Cpl. Dakota Meyer simply reacted as he knew best — tackling what he called “extraordinary circumstances” by “doing the right thing … whatever it takes.”

Nearly two years later, the White House announced Aug. 12, 2011, the 23-year-old Marine scout sniper from Columbia, Ky., who has since left the Marine Corps, will become the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in 38 years.

Read this story of an American Hero here:

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/75278/...meyer-receive-medal-honor-actions-afghanistan

 

[Dutchy]

Read the story here, of SGT (then Corporal) Dakatoa Meyer, who will be receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his actions in Afghanistan, Sept 8, 2009.


Thank you for posting this. It's men like this the make our Military the best in the world!

 

[PessOptimist]

Thanks for posting this Jameszip. However it is not the "congressional Medal of Honor" but the Medal of Honor.

In spite of what you may have heard in the movies.

I cite one of your favorite sources.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Honor

Yes, congress does have to approve it. Then the CIC has to award it. I think putting the word "congressional" in front of the award's name degrades it. JMO. Most people who ever served are aware of this improper naming of the award.

We are still waiting word of your claimed service.

 

[James48843]

Thanks for posting this Jameszip. However it is not the "congressional Medal of Honor" but the Medal of Honor.

In spite of what you may have heard in the movies.

I cite one of your favorite sources.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Honor

Yes, congress does have to approve it. Then the CIC has to award it. I think putting the word "congressional" in front of the award's name degrades it. JMO. Most people who ever served are aware of this improper naming of the award.

We are still waiting word of your claimed service.

The Medal of Honor is presented by the President on behalf of and in the name of the Congress, as the representatives of the American people.

What do you mean you are "still waiting word of my claimed service?"

My word isn't good enough for you?

Fine. What do you want? Are you looking for my DD-214? I sure as hell am not going to post that on here. Yes, I served 20 years - starting as a PFC in the Army, active duty in Germany in the 80's for four years (3rd Infantry Division, Wuerzburg, FRG, made SGT), then Army National Guard (SSG, then OCS in 1990). I then served as a Platoon leader, Battalion Assistant S-3 officer, then a Company Commander (CPT). Finished my career as a PAO officer. I retired from the Army National Guard.

And the official society of living Medal of Honor awardees (note I did not say "winners"- no one "wins" a Medal of Honor)is...

the "CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY".

http://www.cmohs.org/

If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

 

[Buster]

Army National Guard; aka weedend warriors


Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors. The Army National Guard may be called up for active duty by the state governors or territorial commanding generals to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.
With the consent of state governors, members or units of the Army National Guard may be appointed, temporarily or indefinitely, to be federally recognized armed force members, in the active or inactive service of the United States. If federally recognized, the member or unit becomes part of the Army National Guard of the United States, which is a reserve component of the United States Army, and part of the National Guard of the United States.
Army National Guard of the United States units or members may be called up for federal active duty in times of Congressionally sanctioned war or national emergency. The President may also call up members and units of state Army National Guard, with the consent of state governors, to repel invasion, suppress rebellion, or execute federal laws if the United States or any of its states or territories are invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation, or if there's a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the federal government, or if the President is unable with the regular armed forces to execute the laws of the United States. Because both state Army National Guard and the Army National Guard of the United States relatively go hand-in-hand, they are both usually referred to as just Army National Guard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_National_Guard

 

[jpcavin]

I am still in state of disbelief at all the constant pettiness that goes on in this forum. Hats off to Tom!

 

[James48843]

And your point, Buster?

 

[PessOptimist]

The Medal of Honor is presented by the President on behalf of and in the name of the Congress, as the representatives of the American people.

What do you mean you are "still waiting word of my claimed service?"

My word isn't good enough for you?

Fine. What do you want? Are you looking for my DD-214? I sure as hell am not going to post that on here. Yes, I served 20 years - starting as a PFC in the Army, active duty in Germany in the 80's for four years (3rd Infantry Division, Wuerzburg, FRG, made SGT), then Army National Guard (SSG, then OCS in 1990). I then served as a Platoon leader, Battalion Assistant S-3 officer, then a Company Commander (CPT). Finished my career as a PAO officer. I retired from the Army National Guard.

And the official society of living Medal of Honor awardees (note I did not say "winners"- no one "wins" a Medal of Honor)is...

the "CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY".

http://www.cmohs.org/

OK. Good enough. Sometimes we and new members do wonder about your background and your defense of some of the things you defend. There is no need for the 214, I take your word. If this information was ever posted in the past, I did not search it out. Sounds as if you may have participated in some REFORGER LITE things. Good on that OCS thing. Were you ever OCONUS as a commissioned officer? Got to admit, my "officer" button is blinking.

James, let's put aside all differences and have a good down to earth talk about cold warriors if we must (those things grow old quickly to non participants). I still don't like the Medal of Honor (MOH) being referred to as the congressional medal of honor. Just me.

 

[FundSurfer]

Buster, are you trying to degrade service in the National Guard? That's what it reads like to me. What about other "weekend warriors"? You trying to degrade their service as well? I was in the Navy Reserves when I got called up for what ended up being Operation Desert Storm. Many folks in the Reserves have been called to action and served their country regardless of the impact to their personal life or their career. You should always respect those that serve in the armed forces no matter what the capacity.

 

[Buster]

Buster, are you trying to degrade service in the National Guard? That's what it reads like to me. What about other "weekend warriors"? You trying to degrade their service as well? I was in the Navy Reserves when I got called up for what ended up being Operation Desert Storm. Many folks in the Reserves have been called to action and served their country regardless of the impact to their personal life or their career. You should always respect those that serve in the armed forces no matter what the capacity.

Absolutely not...I would have responded earlier to Jim when I got the chance..

Sorry, you took me wrong..I was a Naval reservist for 6 years and active duty for 4..We called ourselves WeekEnd Warriors..nothing was intended to degrade. I was giving an FYI for the topic..it was only a Wiki definition follow up as to show clear definition and history of the National Gaurd and Reserves..(as Jim always does on other topics as well).

 

[James48843]

.....I was a Naval reservist for 6 years and active duty for 4..We called ourselves WeekEnd Warriors..

Well, I was a SOLDIER, not a Naval reservist.
We never called ourselves "Weekend Warriors", we called ourselves soldiers, because that what we were.

Same standards. Same expectations. Just fewer PCSs.

Same amount of sand in the teeth, clothes, hair though. Sand pretty much everywhere.

Me- on the right, in a Bradley. Lots of sand in the gunner's hatch of a Bradley.



All those who wear the uniform are something special- something more than those who have not.

Whether it was active, guard or reserve, all have done something no civilian can ever understand.

They put their trust in the ones on their left, and on their right, and they served together for something larger than themselves.

 

[Buster]

I really don't care what you called yourself..We all appreciate each and every one of the Reservists of every military branch for their contribution to National safety here and abroad..

but to clarify; from your favorite information source for facts...

Army National Guard of the United States, which is a reserve component of the United States Army, and part of the National Guard of the United States.

Me- on the right, in a Bradley. Lots of sand in the gunner's hatch of a Bradley.

Yeah, that looks like you..Where again was that picture taken Jim?..Just courious...Thanks for your service mate.

 

[James48843]

...
Yeah, that looks like you..Where again was that picture taken Jim?..Just courious..

That particular photo was taken in Grafenwöhr, Germany, in about 1986.

 

[Buster]

That particular photo was taken in Grafenwöhr, Germany, in about 1986.

Cool..Cool picture too..Glad you were far away from battle zones while you were regular Army in Germany...Did you get any active deployment time while in the Gaurd?...A guy I work with did a couple of 6 month tours when his unit was activated to go to Afganistan and Iraq.

 

[PessOptimist]

I am still in state of disbelief at all the constant pettiness that goes on in this forum. Hats off to Tom!

The lady has a point.

Many, many people call it the Congressional Medal of Honor. Officially it is the Medal of Honor. James explained previously how it is presented or bestowed as the wicki says. The why is in 10 USC 3741 and many, many additions and changes.

I could have asked James a little more nicely to remind us of his service in uniform. Thank You for providing that information, James.

Everyone seems a little touchy and "PC" about friendly insults about branches of service. It was part of the culture in the past. When the Tennessee Air National Guard used to come to Germany in the 70s, they were proud of the TANG thing and taught me about FANG of which they seemed even prouder. They were all professionals, doing what they were trained to do with ancient equipment. KC-97s were one unit's primary aircraft. The Washington ANG had even more fun with their acronym.

Many years later when my own daughter transferred from the active AF to the Utah ANG, I asked her how it felt to be a FANG. She asked "WTF" as daughter of GIs will when talking to Dad (were they trying to prove something or just bringing it to a level they thought old NCOs could understand?). I explained it all and she advised me the NO ONE EVER used that acronym and she had never heard it before. She did allow that it might be appropriate for some occasions.

Where am I going with this ramble?

It was petty to correct James' title of the thread about the official name of the MOH.

It was petty to ask about James' military service in the way I did.

All branches and components of the US Military, former and present, are brothers, no matter what we did and no matter how much we disagree.

 

[FAB1]

So is this why they are called Petty Officers? Nevermind.