Born in Terre Haute, Indiana on August 12th 1931 Charles Abrell enlisted in the US Marine Corps and earned the rank of corporal in the 1 st Marine Division serving in Korea during that war.
Cpl. Abrell was cited for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader in Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces.
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Born in Cuero, Texas, Roy Benavidez joined the US Army 5th Special Forces Group and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant during the Vietnam War.
On May 2nd 1968 then Staff Sergeant Benavidez distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely courageous actions while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group Airborne, Republic of Vietnam.
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Born in Arkansas on September 29, 1924 Lloyd Burke entered the U.S. Army, 1 st Cavalry Division, and earned the rank of First Lieutenant during the Korean War. On October 28th 1951 near Chong-dong, Korea Lt. Burke distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy.
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The most senior naval officer to win the Congressional Medal of Honor was Captain John Cromwell. Born on Sept. 11 th 1901 in Henry, Illinois he rose to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy. He was Commander of a Submarine Coordinated Attack Group, commonly called a wolf-pack, and had his flag aboard the USS Sculpin (SS-191). As a group Commander Capt. Cromwell was privy to the use of ULTRA and its importance in decoding the Japanese Naval Codes and how the use of these codes was defining the strategy of the Pacific War. In addition, he was in possession of some of the details of the impending invasion of Saipan. Sculpin, on patrol north of Truk, was to combine her efforts with those of Searaven and Apagon to deliver a coordinated attack on the Japanese forces in and around the Gilberts.
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This story is so absolutely remarkable it may be hard to believe, but numerous eyewitnesses have confirmed that it is true!
Born in Lynchburg, Virginia to a devoted Seventh Day Adventist family, Desmond Doss asked the local draft board for non-combat duty, so they arranged for him to become a US Army medic in the 307th Infantry Division.
Near the Okinawa, Uraesoe Mura, Ryukyu Islands from April 29 to May 21 PFC. Doss was a company medic when the 1 st Battalion assaulted a jagged escarpment 400 feet high. As our troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire crashed into them, inflicting about 75 casualties and drove the others back.
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Commander Evans was a Native American who joined the navy and was given command of a small destroyer in the Pacific Fleet during World War II. When Cmdr. Evans greeted his crew just before they shipped out of San Diego, California, he told his men that “I intend to take this ship into harms way, if there is anyone on board who wants to step off the ship, do so now”. His crew remained, and Cmdr. Evans proved to be true to his word.
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During the first years of our country’s existence the idea of giving medals to Revolutionary War heroes was met with no small amount of resistance, it just reminded people too much of European aristocracy. But on August 2nd 1782 General George Washington issued a general order establishing the Badge of Military Merit, which consisted of a purple cloth in he shape of a heart.
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Born in Denver, Colorado Elmer Fryar joined the US Army in the 11 th Airborne Division As a parachute infantryman. Fighting in the Philippines in May of 1945 Pvt. Fryar was Recognized for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty.
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Mogadishu, Somalia 1993
It has been suggested in recent times by philosophers and historians that the new generation of Americans are not as likely as previous generations to jump to the defense of their country. That assertion may or may not be true but the story of Gary Gordon and Randal Shughart proves that the American spirit is surely alive and well in our young people today.
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Rising nearly 1500 feet above the jungle below, Hill 488 was the perfect place for a Marine recon team but for one minor factor; it was deep in enemy controlled territory, surrounded by massive enemy troop build-ups.
Like David facing Goliath the 16 Marines and 2 Navy corpsmen were pitifully outnumbered on that night of June 15, 1966, and like David so long before, were reduced to ”throwing rocks” at the enemy.
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