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[porthole]

Lt Col Bruce Crandall was just awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor live on CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/26/crandall.medal.of.honor/index.html

http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eaglebios/96bios/crandall96.htm

You may remember the Lt. Col. for his dramatic rescues portrayed in the movie " We Were Soldiers, Once"

[Twolanerider]

It was good to see that make the news Duane.  It's something that General Moore has been pushing for for a long time.  Moore himself should have gotten more than a DSC for those few days days in 1965..  Never heard of him ever saying a word about it though.  Though it was good to see him never give up looking out for his men.

[porthole]

It was good to see that make the news Duane.  It's something that General Moore has been pushing for for a long time.  Moore himself should have gotten more than a DSC for those few days days in 1965..  Never heard of him ever saying a word about it though.  Though it was good to see him never give up looking out for his men.

So true Don. What we ask our American Servicemen and woman to do is never appreciated as it should be. The Ia Drang story is amazing, and I am sure there were many actions during that brief conflict that deserve recognition as well as many conflicts we are involved in. The book is excellent.

If you have never visited the the MOH web site at http://www.cmohs.org/ you owe it to yourself as well as the recipients to read the stories. They are truly amazing. And just think about all the actions that are not recognized, or don't meet MoH standards, truly humbling.

[Twolanerider]

So true Don. What we ask our American Servicemen and woman to do is never appreciated as it should be. The Ia Drang story is amazing, and I am sure there were many actions during that brief conflict that deserve recognition as well as many conflicts we are involved in. The book is excellent.

If you have never visited the the MOH web site at http://www.cmohs.org/ you owe it to yourself as well as the recipients to read the stories. They are truly amazing. And just think about all the actions that are not recognized, or don't meet MoH standards, truly humbling.

Several years ago I was asked to do a little writing that required interviewing several CMH recipients.  We're around self important people all the time.  A tasking that has you in the presence of heroes day after day for awhile only leaves you with your jaw dragging the ground. 

Unassuming people without any great desire to stand out whose every story is nearly incomprehensible to the average among us.  Each seemingly the most unbelievable thing you've ever heard; until you hear the next.  Nearly all about loyalty and friends and unbelievable willingnesses to sacrifice for those things.

A guy can go through several such interviews and really begin to think that you've heard it all.  That people can't have done more, risked more or achieved more.  Then you remember that the majority of CMH are given posthumouslously.  Then very suddenly you realize, almost with shame and certainly with embarassment, that you've only barely scratched the surface.

[SEULTRA]

I watched the ceremony today as well. While the word hero seems a bit overused and diluted in todays world it certainly applied to Lt Col Crandall for his truly selfless actions In case anyone is interested there is a Congressional Medal of Honor memorial in Pueblo, Colorado just 45 minutes south of where I live. One of four in the country. To read more, go to: http://www.homeofheroes.com/a_homepage/community/displays/national_sites/pueblo.html

[cuthbertss]

I have been fortunate enough to break bread with a few recipients of the MoH
It is indeed a humbling experience, and not an easy one to forget.

There are so many that never lived to see the results of their sacrifice...  back when i was in charge of units i would dig out an MoH citation for reading at ceremonial formations... just to remind my young Soldiers from whence they came.

generally we werent at war during those formations and it helped shape ( i hope) the kind of soldiers they became in combat
i'll never really know

Scot

[cuthbertss]

oh yea,
Jay is correct..for whatever reason, Pueblo is full of heroes

[porthole]

Yes it is awe inspiring to be in the presence of ....

I have been in the audience once with a MoH'r. General Schwartzkopf was doing a political speech for Bush on BB62 (USS New Jersey Battleship).

The amazing thing is that with all the security the General had, he was second fiddle when the blue ribbon came up the gang plank.

My daughter who was in High School NJROTC at the time was on the gang plank with the honor guard and had the opportunity for a face to face salute. Although at the time she was more impressed with shaking the Generals hand.

And I am fortunate enough to have one MoH autograph in my "History of Submarines" book.

Although this pales in comparsion with doing a real meet and greet.

Another link for Crandall

http://www.xav8er.com/