Matthew,
this is a very good question. One that should be taken more seriously than "Forrest Gump" types of responses. This reflects the situation we have in which we have a military that is at war while a country is not.
To your question. Major Bruce P. Crandal (U.S. Army) received his long overdue CMOH on February 26, 2007 for actions taken in Viet Nam on November 14, 1965. His citation reads in part:
On 14 November 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. On the fourth troop lift, the airlift began to take enemy fire, and by the time the aircraft had refueled and returned for the next troop lift, the enemy had Landing Zone X-Ray targeted. As Major Crandall and the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops on his fifth troop lift, his unarmed helicopter came under such intense enemy fire that the ground commander ordered the second flight of eight aircraft to abort their mission. As Major Crandall flew back to Plei Me, his base of operations, he determined that the ground commander of the besieged infantry batallion desperately needed more ammunition. Major Crandall then decided to adjust his base of operations to Artillery Firebase Falcon in order to shorten the flight distance to deliver ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers. While medical evacuation was not his mission, he immediately sought volunteers and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the two aircraft to Landing Zone X-Ray. Despite the fact that the landing zone was still under relentless enemy fire, Major Crandall landed and proceeded to supervise the loading of seriously wounded soldiers aboard his aircraft. Major Crandall's voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. This greatly enhanced morale and the will to fight at a critical time. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. That day he completed a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire, retiring from the battlefield only after all possible service had been rendered to the Infantry battalion. His actions provided critical resupply of ammunition and evacuation of the wounded.
Key points: On the 4th flight he takes heavy enemy fire...this continues and he finishes a total of 22. Amazing this man survived.
As a final note I will say it is unfortunate that the CMOH is awarded most often (if not entirely) as a posthumous event. The Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines who are currently earning this Medal are not able to enjoy the benefits; though I acknowledge the significance for the families. It's almost a requirement now to become a KIA in order to receive the award. Maybe this is more a reflection as to the type of conflicts we have, the results that ensue, and struggle we are attempting to overcome.
Great question ~ we need more questions like this in this section vs. the homework type. Lastly, the CMOH is not "won" (this is a common mistake made more at the use of American English than your intent); the CMOH is "earned".
Star coming.....
Gerry D.Who was the last person to win the Medal of Honor and live to accept it?
Thanks for the B/A this question was fun to answer. Gerry D.
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Who was the last person to win the Medal of Honor and live to accept it?I believe Forrest Gump won a medal of honor and lived
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