Challenge: Read the citations

[VMS]

from this page (http://www.history.army.mil/moh.html) and not cry man-tears (chicks are exempted from this challenge).

[seeinred]

Just the 1st one I read... holy shit:

Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

[VMS]

I kind of like this one from WWII:
*FEMOYER, ROBERT E. (Air Mission)

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 711th Bombing Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over Merseburg, Germany, 2 November 1944. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 31 October 1921, Huntington, W. Va. G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Merseburg, Germany, on 2 November 1944. While on a mission, the bomber, of which 2d Lt. Femoyer was the navigator, was struck by 3 enemy antiaircraft shells. The plane suffered serious damage and 2d Lt. Femoyer was severely wounded in the side and back by shell fragments which penetrated his body. In spite of extreme pain and great loss of blood he refused an offered injection of morphine. He was determined to keep his mental faculties clear in order that he might direct his plane out of danger and so save his comrades. Not being able to arise from the floor, he asked to be propped up in order to enable him to see his charts and instruments. He successfully directed the navigation of his lone bomber for 2 1/2 hours so well it avoided enemy flak and returned to the field without further damage. Only when the plane had arrived in the safe area over the English Channel did he feel that he had accomplished his objective; then, and only then, he permitted an injection of a sedative. He died shortly after being removed from the plane. The heroism and self-sacrifice of 2d Lt. Femoyer are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

I had classes at Femoyer Hall at Virginia Tech. VT is tied at third for most CMOH's awarded (7) to former students (not all graduated from Tech- some transferred to West Point, I believe) behind West Point and Annapolis. Texas A&M and possibly the Citadel and VMI also have 7 awardees.

All of these guys are badasses. With no disrespect or dishonor to them, many of the pre-1900 CMOH awardees wouldn't have received the award under current standards. The status of the CMOH as THE award took a while to catch on. But all of them could kick my ass without fucking trying.

[Sprite]

WOW. Some amazing acts of patriotism and possible reckless bravery in there. Ctrl + D for sure. Nice post.

I know it's not a big deal, but my grandfather was a Huey pilot in the Nam, and he took a round through the foot while lifting off from a hot LZ. Crazy shit.

[VMS]

I know it's not a big deal, but my grandfather was a Huey pilot in the Nam, and he took a round through the foot while lifting off from a hot LZ. Crazy shit.

Dude, your gramps got shot in 'Nam. That's a pretty big deal.

[oandapartycock]

Boy, he really got caught behind the Eight Ball...


Meh, Hrmph

[DonTheTrucker]

http://www.geocities.com/citation_x11/car1.jpg

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