Congressional Medals, Part II by Avi Heiligman

Forgotten Her es Congressional Medals

Part II

By Avi Heiligman

When the United States was in its infancy, Congress wanted a way to recognize military achievements. The Congressional Gold Medal was soon created, and many years later it was expanded to recognize contributions of civilians as well as military achievements. The medal itself is designed by the U.S. Mint and depicts the accomplishment or individual who is being honored. Therefore, each one is different in appearance and is meant to be displayed and not worn like the Medal of Honor.

In the last article on this topic, we discussed medals that were awarded prior to the 20th century. Since 1900, medals have been bestowed upon many whose accomplishments may not be well-known but deserve to be recognized.

Two medals were ordered after the turn of the century for actions during the 19th century. First Lieutenant Frank Newcomb, a Civil War navy veteran, was a commanding officer of the United States Revenue Cutter Service and served on the USRC Hudson during the Spanish American War in 1898. In May of that year, the Hudson was off the coast of Cuba when the torpedo boat Winslow was badly damaged and most of the crew killed or wounded. Newcomb took his ship in middle of enemy fire to rescue the survivors and was able to tow the boat out of harm’s way. The other medal was awarded to the Overland Relief Expedition, which saved the lives of hundreds of whalers caught in arctic ice near Point Barrow, Alaska.

The vast majority of the 173 Congressional Gold Medals were awarded for actions during the 20th century starting with honoring the inventors of the first successful airplane. While at one point there was a debate whether the Wright brothers were the first to fly a motor-operated aircraft, there is no doubt that their invention changed the world. In 1909, Congress awarded them the medal for their flight six years earlier and their contributions to aviation.

Foreigners have been awarded medals by Congress and this included a hero of the Titanic tragedy. British Captain Arthur Rostron was the commanding officer of the RMS Carpathia when she picked a distress signal just after midnight on April 15, 1912. As she made the three-and-half-hour and 58-mile journey filled with blocks of ice, Rostron ordered the ship to go the maximum speed and prepared in every way possible to treat the survivors. In all, over 700 of the Titanic’s passengers and crew made it onto

The song “G-d Bless America” is his most recognizable song and is sometimes referred to as America’s second national anthem.

the Carpathia before heading back to New York.

Polar exploration was often headline news during the 1920s. Congress awarded medals to many of the explorers including American Lincoln Ellsworth, who made contributions on both the North and South Poles. The Byrd Antarctic Expeditions spanned several years, and he and others flew over the poles. Both Richard Byrd and Ellsworth discovered previously unknown mountain ranges, lakes, and geological formations and explored thousands of miles of uncharted territory. There were Jewish members on some of the Byrd expeditions, including army mechanic Benjamin Roth. Roth received the Soldier’s Medal for his contributions and has an ice shelf in Antarctica named Mount Roth in his honor.

Congress awarded medals to several well-known generals and civilians for achievements and outstanding leadership. General John J. Pershing was recognized for his success as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Brigadier General Billy Mitchell is considered the father of the American Air Force for his foresight in recognizing the future of military aviation during a time when

many generals still thought that the old-school methods of warfare would prevail. America’s greatest inventor, Thomas Edison, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his inventions and innovations that changed the world.

Through the years, there have been several Jewish recipients of the award. Irving Berlin wrote many patriotic songs during World War II, including “This is the Army.” The song “G-d Bless America” is his most recognizable song and is sometimes referred to as America’s second national anthem. Dr. Jonas Salk was recognized by Congress for the discovery of the polio vaccine. Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal was presented the medal for his contributions in locating war criminals and bringing them to justice.

Jewish Admiral Hyman Rickover, while on assignment to the nuclear facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, learned the details of nuclear power and took this knowledge with him as he lobbied for a nuclear navy. Rickover then directed all aspects of building and operating the nuclear fleet, a feat for which he awarded the Congressional gold medal.

Both religious leaders and politicians from around the world have been honored by Congress and this list includes the Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt”l. Two-hundred-thirty members of Congress co-sponsored the bill to honor the Rebbe for years of “contributions to the cause of peace and understanding,” according to the statement of one of the congressmen. Shimon Peres was recognized for his contributions to the alliance between Israel and the U.S. and for forging an unbreakable bond between the two countries.

Several units during World War II were awarded the Congressional gold medal for their achievements. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American pilots who were famous for flying escort missions over Europe with bravery and courage. The medal was also awarded to all the Native American tribes that sent code

The Congressional Medal being awareded to Thomas Edison by Secretary Mellon Irving Berlin was honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Dwight D Eisenhower Jonas Salk receiving a special citation from President Eisenhower at the White House in 1955

talkers overseas during both World Wars. There were at least 33 tribes that were represented in the medal for efforts that frustrated both the German and Japanese intelligence services. In April 1942, sixteen B-25 bombers took off from an American aircraft carrier and bombed Tokyo on a surprise air raid. Known as the Doolittle Raiders most crash-landed but survived. Years later, Congress awarded them the gold medal.

The Monuments Men was established by the Allies to protect, recover, and safeguard historical and cultural monuments from war damage. They discovered huge caches of treasures that were confiscated by the Nazis and Congress awarded them the gold medal. There were several Jewish Monuments Men, including Harry Ettlinger who also worked with the Monuments Men Foundation after the war.

Congress’s second-latest gold medal was given to Greg LeMond is December 2020 and several others are in different stages of legislation. Those awarded the medal have been determined by Congress to have been worthy of this achievement. It is history that should be learned about and remembered.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

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