Reflecti ons from History and Faith: The Medal of Honor — A closer look

By Jeff Olson

As I sit down to write this, it is the 4th of July 2023. I’ve been in deep reflection about our country over the past 24 hours, and especially since waking up early this morning. I’ve read some scripture, listened to some Christian music and patriotic music, and thought some about those of our forefathers who committed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of individual liberty and national freedom.

Their cause was and still is the cause of mankind, and it has been the duty of a free people to maintain our Declaration of Independence as much as it was the duty of our forefathers and foremothers to implement it, and may I say against overwhelming odds. They believed with all their heart that liberty was so much more important than security.

The cost of maintaining that Declaration, our Constitution, and our way of life has been an enormous and indispensable one for those who’ve worn the uniform of the U.S. military. There have been over 1.3 million military deaths since 1775.

Some of these men were boyhood heroes of mine. Their courage, valor and love for America were positive examples for me and helped to shape me into what and who I am today. However, I’ve never forgotten the courage and sacrifice of all the other men and women in uniform who paid their own price in service to America. My father was one of those.

In the following paragraphs, I wish to briefly share some history of how those who went above and beyond the call of duty have been officially recognized and honored.

The first formal system for rewarding acts of individual gallantry by America’s fighting men was established by General George Washington in August 1782. Designed to recognize “any singularly meritorious action,” and later “For military merit and for wounds received in action,” the Badge of Military Merit took the form of a heart made of a purple cloth. The idea of a decoration for individu- al gallantry remained through the early 1800s. In 1847, after the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, a “certificate of merit” was established for any soldier who distinguished himself in action. No medal went with the honor. After this war the award was discontinued, therefore no military award remained to recognize the nation’s fighting men.

Some 15 years later, early in the Civil War, a medal for individual valor was proposed to General-in-Chief of the Army Winfield Scott, but he rejected the idea. However, the Navy liked the idea and acted on it. On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James Grimes introduced Congressional legislation for the creation of the Medal of Honor in the Navy. It was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861.

The following year, a resolution similar in wording was introduced on behalf of the Army. On February 17, 1862, Senator Henry Wilson introduced Congressional legislation for the creation of the Medal of Honor in the Army. It was signed into law 161 years ago this week, on July 12, 1862. Although it was created for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal of

Honor a permanent decoration 160 years ago, in March 1863. The first Medals of Honor for the Army, Navy and Marines were presented in the spring and summer of 1863.

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt mandated through executive order that the Medal of Honor should always be presented with ceremony by the president or a designated representative. By 1916, the Army & Navy Medal of Honor Roll was created and the first special pension for recipients began. In 1916, Congress asked that all Medals awarded up to that point be reviewed to ensure that they met the high standards required for the award. As a result, 911 Medals of Honor were rescinded.

During World War I, the U.S. Armed Forces realized that having more than one medal for valorous action would be beneficial. In response, in July 1918, Congress codified the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Silver Star. The Medal of Honor remained at the top of the “pyramid” of valor.

It is important to note that there was one woman recipient of the Medal of

Honor. It was presented to Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) in November 1865 for meritorious service during the Civil War. However, it was rescinded in 1917 because she was a civilian who had never been commissioned an officer in military service. She refused to return the medal and continued to wear it until her death. Sixty years later, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored the honor in her name.

Over the years the Medal of Honor has undergone several redesigns, with the current design an inverted star suspended around the neck on a light-blue ribbon with thirteen white stars. The Army and Navy have their own designs, a tradition that started in the Civil War. In 1965 the Air Force, which became its own military branch in 1947, introduced its own design. Prior to this, Army Air Corps and Air Force recipients received the Army’s design. Each branch’s design features differences within and surrounding the pendulous star, but each of the three stands for “action above and beyond the call of duty.”

For an act to be considered for the Medal of Honor, it must be in combat and involve the risk of the service member’s life. The act must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes gallantry beyond the call of duty and must be the type of deed which, if not done, would not result in any justified criticism.

To ensure each presentation of the Medal of Honor is warranted, every recommendation goes through an exhaustive review process. Incontestable proof is required, including at least two sworn eyewitness statements and documents. An individual must be recommended for the Medal of Honor within three years of their valorous action and the Medal must be presented within five years. If it is not, Congress must pass a law waiving the time limits.

As of March 30, 2023, there have been 3,565 Medals of Honor presented. Of these, 618 have been awarded posthumously and only 65 living recipients remain.

LA ROXX returns to heat up Mena

By Ethan Nahté

Last summer when the Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce brought ‘80s tribute band LA ROXX to town, it was a very hot day… and the band just added to the heat, thrilling the crowd with their renditions of Def Leppard, Cinderella, Whitesnake, Guns N’ Roses and more bands from the glam rock era. They’ve opened for national acts such as Night Ranger, Kansas, Journey and other acts that dominated the ‘70s and ‘80s, which should earn them some good street cred.