Mis-info ref. the "Medal of Honor" And a note of correction

[Tom L. Manton]

When Mr. Bob Boze Bell was video informing the public about the "Buffalo Soldiers" , he referred to several as having received the congressional medal of honor. This was in error, what he should have said is what anyone who has been in the military knows is that it is referred to as The Medal of Honor.

Just a note of correction.

[Bob Boze Bell]

Thanks. Sorry. I hate it when I'm an idiot. Noted.

[Stan H]

The term congressional medal of honor came into popularity because it is Congress who authorizied the Medal, and the President awards the Medal in the name of Congress.

 

The Secretary of War first presented the Medal of Honor to six Union Army volunteers on March 25, 1863 in his office.  These six soldiers hijacked a Confederate locomotive in 1862, Ironicaly, James J. Andrews, a civilian that led the raid was not awarded the medal. He was caught and hanged as a Union spy.

 

Since 1941, more than half of the Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously.

 

Here is a site that list by name those 426 individuals  that were awarded the Medal during the "Indian wars" which apply to our theme here on True West. Please notice such notibles as William Alchesay, William F Cody, William Billy) Dixon, and Leonard Wood who went on to further glory in the Spanish-America war.

 

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

 

Just reading down this list brings awe and adminration for those early soldiers of America. Some have links on their names which gives further information.

 

I also find it interesting as to how many Medals were awarded to "Indian scout" units.

 

A great topic.

[Michael]

Thomas Custer had the distinction of receiving the Medal of Honor on two occasions during the ACW.

[Murray A. Gewirtz]

BBB, I think you owe yourself an apology for calling yourself an idiot, since, as Stan pointed out, the medal has long been popularly referred to as the "congressional Medal of Honor," and for good reason. Besides, even if it were a mistake, a gaffe now and then doesn't make one an idiot. It just means we're human ---at least so say the psychologists.

[Tom L. Manton]

 Murray A. Gewirtz, Were you ever in the US Army??? I doubt it. Bob could have said "sorry, I made a mistake" and that would have been fine.

The correct term is "MEDAL OF HONOR", be greater and more knowledgeable than the average Joe.

I did make the comment to criticize, but rather to help bring a better understanding of the term; to say anything but the correct usage generally means that one is uninformed.  

[Tom L. Manton]

Sorry, I should have said "I did not make the comment to criticize." I made a mistake in my punctuation and grammar.

[Murray A. Gewirtz]

The correct name for the Statue of Liberty is "Liberty Enlightening the World," but how many people today use that name? If I were to use it, would it make me "greater...than the average Joe"?

[Tom L. Manton]

So be it J-O-E.

[C. F. 'Charley' Eckhardt]

From the time it was 1st authorized until WW I, the Medal of Honor was the only decoration the US military had.  Once the Silver Star & Bronze Star were authorized, a lot of Medals of Honor were withdrawn & replaced with lesser decorations.

Incidentally, the very first decoration ever authorized was designed by George Washington himself.  It was a purple, heart-shaped patch of velvet sewn to a soldier's uniform.  That's why the Purple Heart, a decoration now used to designate wounds suffered honorably in combat, has George Washington's image on it.

 

[Margaret-Anne Moore]

Whether it is the Medal of Honor or the Congressional Medal of Honor makes no difference.  I have long heard both terms used, and by people in high places who should be in the "know."