Military Heroes Overlooked for the Medal of Honor or Victoria Cross

[007Loser]

There's no shortage of recipients of the Medal of Honor or the Victoria Cross but many can agree that there are many that were never awarded it despite their heroism.

One of the most notable I can think of is Staff Sergeant Daniel Busch of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. Busch was mortally wounded defending the crash site of Black Hawk Super-Six-One during the Battle of Mogadishu after crashing with the crew. Busch received the Silver Star for his actions but to be honest I consider such actions as his to be deserving of the Medal of Honor.

Anyone know of any others who are well deserving of their countries highest military honor?

 

[Steelfists]

I don't think his family gives a shit about the type of gong they pinned on his coffin. They are just sad that he died, but proud that he died honourably defending his countrymen.

Let me guess, you just watched Black Hawk Down?

 

[007Loser]

I don't think his family gives a shit about the type of gong they pinned on his coffin. They are just sad that he died, but proud that he died honourably defending his countrymen.

Let me guess, you just watched Black Hawk Down?

Let me guess, you're a dick?

 

[Legion]

I don't think his family gives a shit about the type of gong they pinned on his coffin. They are just sad that he died, but proud that he died honourably defending his countrymen.

Let me guess, you just watched Black Hawk Down?

Let me guess, you're a dick?

As are you it seems.

Edit To Stay OT: As bluntly as he may have put it, he makes a fair point. Medals mean nothing to dead people, and his family probably care more that he died during a pointless war than a lump of metal.

 

[Rock Avich]

I don't think his family gives a shit about the type of gong they pinned on his coffin. They are just sad that he died, but proud that he died honourably defending his countrymen.

Let me guess, you just watched Black Hawk Down?

Let me guess, you're a dick?

A PART OF MY BODY IS NOT AN INSULT!

 

[Steelfists]

I don't think his family gives a shit about the type of gong they pinned on his coffin. They are just sad that he died, but proud that he died honourably defending his countrymen.

Let me guess, you just watched Black Hawk Down?

Let me guess, you're a dick?

Yeah well... YOUR MUM.

 

[psijac]

Congress has become notoriously stingy when it comes to handing out Medals of Honor. SInce the Vietnam War only 8 have been given all of the posthumously. Not even jumping on a grenade would guarantee a MoH.


Funs facts:

Misuse of the medal, including unauthorized manufacture or wear, is punishable by a fine up to $100,000 and imprisonment up to one year.

MoH recipients are entitled to receive the special pension of US$1,027 per month.

I don't think the Soldiers involved in the events of black hawk down are MoH worthy. They crashed approximately 3 miles away from their base. they could have just walked back and made it back in about an hour. We should not award our special forces for failures. Why not give Jessica Lynch a MoH? Giving out undeserved credit is what got us into the economic crisis we face today.

 

[TxMxRonin]

I don't think the Soldiers involved in the events of black hawk down are MoH worthy. They crashed approximately 3 miles away from their base. they could have just walked back and made it back in about an hour. We should not award our special forces for failures. Why not give Jessica Lynch a MoH? Giving out undeserved credit is what got us into the economic crisis we face today.

So the two men who died protecting a downed helicopter pilot when they could have easily stayed in their position and let the site be overrun are unworthy of the MoH, but someone who fucked the country is?

Yeah, I totally agree. And the operation wasn't a failure. They accomplished the mission they were sent in to do.

 

[JWAN]

3 miles is a lot of ground to cover surrounded by thousands of pissed off local militia members though.

 

[Gooble]

The Medal of Honor is awarded for:

"Conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against any 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 armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party."

and while we're at it, the Victoria Cross is awarded for:

"... most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."

Both of these I interpret as basically making a choice to put yourself in extreme danger to benefit the completion of the mission, or to protect the lives of fellow soldiers or civilians, and of your own free will (i.e. you weren't commanded to do it).

So to be honest, from your description, the Medal of Honor is unfortunately not deserved by Daniel Busch; with his injuries, he had no choice but to defend himself and his colleagues, and did not intentionally put himself in harms way.