Awards are usually a wonderful honor (unless, of course, you receive a Darwin Award, which usually goes to folks who voluntarily put themselves in jeopardy by doing something incredibly stupid). In striking contrast to the aforementioned award is the Medal of Honor , the highest U.S.
military decoration. Created through a joint resolution of Congress in 1862, the award is for “gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing foreign force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.” The specific deed must have irrefutable proof that it occurred, including precise actions taken by the individual, details of when and where the actions took place and must also have at least two eyewitness statements.
Once compiled, the documents go through the chain of command and, eventually, to the president, who makes the final decision. Since the inception of the Medal of Honor, there have been 3,517 recipients . About 60 of those folks are alive today.
The medal has been awarded posthumously 618 times. The highest civilian honor in the United States is the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Started in its current form in 1963 by President Kennedy, the award is for “meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
” There have been just over 670 recipients of the award and they include politicians, activists, academics, sports stars — and political donors. The contrast between the two honors is rather evident. One commends ultimate bravery on the battlefield with little or no regard for one’s safety.
The other is for ...
well, it’s for any number of things. In the latest round, on May 5, several politicians, an Olympic swimmer, two former civil rights leaders, an actor, an astronomer, an astronaut and a former talk-show host were among the 19 folks who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Sgt.
Alvin York earned his Medal of Honor in World War I by leading an attack on a German machine gun nest. He and his seven men, overcoming a fusillade of opposing fire, ended up capturing 132 German prisoners, while killing 25 of the enemy. Jim Thorpe , from the same era, gained his Medal of Freedom, posthumously, as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th Century — and the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal.
Two incredible men. But different honors — with different meanings — for each. So fast forward to the remarks of the former occupant of the White House last week when talking about the Presidential Medal of Freedom he bestowed in 2018 on Miriam Adelson , a doctor, philanthropist, casino owner — and multibillionaire megadonor to Trump.
The Republican presidential candidate claimed that the Medal of Freedom is “actually much better, because everyone (that) gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, that’s soldiers, they’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead. She gets it, and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman.” He then added, somewhat inexplicably, that the honors were “equal.
” To try to conflate the two honors is, at best, massively disrespectful. And totally inane. To once again disparage veterans .
.. well, that’s just par for his course.
Want the news to come to you? Get the top stories in your inbox every morning. Sign up here: V ailDaily.com/newsletter But then again, this is the same guy who got out of the Vietnam-era draft due to a supposed bone spur on his foot .
And later couldn’t remember which foot had the spur. That foot-in-the-mouth performance alone qualifies him — a person who craves accolades — as a legitimate candidate. For a Darwin Award.
.
