Honour

In a follow-up to my simple post of a poppy on Remembrance Day, I think it's appropriate to note the names of some people military people I have come across recently who have done the right thing.

Canadians

General Hillier. Not awarded anything specifc for actions under fire but at least he's not a politician and he's serving in uniform: "We're not the public service of Canada, we're not just another department. We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people," Gen. Hillier said. He's also showing leadership by taking on the procurement politics at DND. More on that later.

Ernest "Smoky" Smith: Seaforth Highlanders, Ortona Italy, 1944: Canada's last living recipient of the Victoria Cross died in August at the age of 91. "he wiped out two German self-propelled guns and a Panther tank, killed four attacking soldiers, repelled six others, carried a wounded comrade -- under fire -- to medical aid, then returned to guard the road until reinforcements arrived hours later."

United States

Two Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded this past year:

Tibor Rubin: Army (8th Cavalry) for actions in the Korean War (some CMOH are awarded years after based on appeals by former colleagues, etc. The files can be reviewed and updated years after the fact as was the case with Tibor) Rubins citation is almost unbelieveable:

"He inflicted a staggering number of casualties on the attacking force during his personal 24-hour battle, single-handedly slowing the enemy advance and allowing the 8th Cavalry Regiment to complete its withdrawal successfully"

"That night and throughout the next day, he manned a .30 caliber machine gun at the south end of the unit's line after three previous gunners became casualties. He continued to man his machine gun until his ammunition was exhausted"

"Choosing to remain in the prison camp despite offers from the Chinese to return him to his native Hungary"

"Breaking into enemy food storehouses and gardens, he risked certain torture or death if caught. Corporal Rubin provided not only food to the starving Soldiers, but also desperately needed medical care and moral support for the sick and wounded of the POW camp"

Paul R. Smith: 3rd Infantry Divison, War on Terror - for actions in Baghdad, Iraq, 2003:

"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"

About half of all CMOH are awarded posthumously.


One Navy Cross in 2004:

Brian Chontosh: 3/5 Marines, War on Terror - for actions in ad Diwaniyah, Iraq 2003: "Without hesitation," the citation said, Chontosh ordered the driver to advance directly toward the enemy position, enabling his .50-caliber machine gunner to neutralize the threat.
He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9mm pistol, the citation read.

His ammunition depleted, Chontosh twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his "ferocious" attack, according to the account.

When a Marine following him found an enemy RPG launcher, Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers.

The attack — described in the citation as "audacious" — cleared 200 meters of enemy trench and killed more than 20 enemy soldiers while wounding several others, it said. "

First woman since WWII to win the Silver Star (third highest award for valor after the CMOH and the Distinguised Service Cross/Navy Cross)

Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester: Army - Kentucky National Guard, War on Terror - for actions near Baghdad, Iraq, 2005: "Hester, Nein and their comrades continued to press the advantage, completely disrupting any plans the insurgents had at a successful attack. After the approximately 45-minute firefight, only three Soldiers from the 617th were wounded. ... Conversely, 27 insurgents were dead. Six others were wounded; one was captured. None escaped. " I read elsewhere that Hester was personally responsible for 3 of the enemy dead, some at close range. One hopes that they were "affirmative action" kills, in that it was close enough so the jihadis could see they were about to get slotted by a woman.