Military Officer - May 2007 - (Page 70)

Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross demonstrate exceptional gallantry, valor, and sacriﬁce. ACCORD ING TO Dr. Charles P. McDowell, an expert on American decorations, “Heroism that results in the award of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross often is difﬁcult to distinguish from that which results in a Medal of Honor.” Cou establishing lesser decorations, ofﬁcials made it increasingly difﬁcult to earn the higher ones. This is a glimpse at crosses awarded to ﬁve ofﬁcers, one from each military service branch. Each of these ofﬁcers denies being a hero and credits those who served with him — a common trait among America’s heroes. Embl McDowell says a commander thinking of recommending an individual for a Medal of Honor knows the paperwork will be scrutinized at many levels and requires witness statements. “If witnesses have been killed or are no longer available,” he explains, “or if there’s any conﬂict in their statements, the lower-level award will be approved.” Other factors also contribute to the second-highest award being bestowed, according to experts. Two servicemembers could perform nearly identical acts, and if one were wounded, he or she would be more 70 MILITARY OFFICER M AY 2 0 0 7 likely to receive the higher decoration. In the past, ofﬁcials placed limitations on the number of Medals of Honor awarded within a particular unit. Another factor in determining the level of an award: Our system of military decorations has expanded relentlessly. During World War I, only the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Navy Cross were available to recognize gallantry. By the end of World War II, the nation added the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal to its “pyramid of honor.” By Distinguished Service Cross Col. John Gray, USA-Ret. John E. Gray was a second lieutenant and mortar platoon leader when he came ashore with M Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment during the invasion at Inchon, South Korea, in September 1950. By mid-November, Gray’s division had advanced northward through mountainous terrain and was near the Chosin Reservoir — and China. On Nov. 27, 1950, Gray’s battalion linked up with the 1st Marine Division and came under attack

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - May 2007

Military Officer - May 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: Back Home Capt. David Porter, Pirate Hunter Where Valor Rests Emblems of Courage MOAA Member Services Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index Member Books MOAA Calendar MOAA Scholarship Donors Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - May 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.