Latest news with #MedalOfHonor
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Marine veteran helping correct history on San Francisco National Cemetery headstones
The Department of Veterans Affairs held a Memorial Day ceremony at the San Francisco National Cemetery in The Presidio, which was the largest commemoration in the Bay Area. And one Marine veteran and his son are making it their mission to correct history and make sure fallen soldiers get the proper recognition they deserve. "So, this one I'm really, really proud of," Danny Casey said. "This is Albert Moore; he won the Medal of Honor in the summer of 1900." It's been 109 years since the Marine was laid to rest, but only now does his headstone tell the truth. "You can see on his original headstone. It gives no historical recognition to the U.S. Marine Corps," Casey told KPIX. "It says USMC Boxer Rebellion because before it just said first sergeant, Spanish American War. Now, it's a brand-new headstone," Casey explained. Casey is proud of the work he has done to correct the headstones of his fellow Marine Corps members. He himself is a veteran, a hobbyist historian and a proud father. Casey and his son had a goal to visit and learn about each of the 40 Medal of Honor recipients in the Presidio National Cemetery, "To read about their gallantry, the acts of bravery that awarded them the Medal of Honor," Casey said. And to his surprise, there were mistakes printed on headstones, some more than a century old. "And this one was just a wrong date," Casey said. After finding a headstone with a mistake, Casey confirms his suspicions with a historian and then requests the change be made through the National Cemetery Administration, with a detailed write-up. He said it's likely the National Cemetery Administration recognizes his name by now. "I think they know my name very well," Casey said. "I actually went to Washington because they were ignoring me and was like, 'I have a little envelope for you.' Long story short, I got it in the right hand." As for his motivation, Casey explained it's about protecting their history. "To think that 125 years from now this stone will be fixed and people who still care about our culture, our history … need to know about this," Casey said. And it's been a valuable experience with his son. "This has been our hobby, to go out and fix history," Casey said. "Outstanding," fellow Marine veteran Richard Barela said. "In 125 years, who's to say there won't be a fellow young Marine, his great-great-grandson correcting his headstone or my headstone." KPIX asked Casey what he thinks Albert Moore would think about his work correcting headstones. "To think after 109 years, people are still saying your name and acts of gallantry on the Tartar Wall, and now you're laid to rest with your fellow Marines from the USS Oregon, I think that he would be proud of his fellow Marines for even speaking his name," Casey said.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor display recognizes those overlooked due to racial, religious bias
The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington offers patriotic displays of soldiers who performed extraordinary acts of bravery in combat, meriting the highest United States military honor. Supported primarily by private funds, such as Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones' $20 million donation, the museum has the freedom to include exhibits that highlight acts of courage by Black, Latino, Asian, and white soldiers. The 'Valor 24' display educates visitors about 24 recipients, mostly Latinos, who in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military honor. Through Korean War veteran Mitchel Libman's advocacy, the military elevated the awards to the Medal of Honor. On March 18, 2014, President Barack Obama awarded the medals at the White House to José Rodela, Santiago Erevia, and Melvin Morris, three living recipients at the time, and the families of the 21 deceased honorees. Obama said, 'We confront our imperfections and face a sometimes painful past — including the truth that some of these soldiers fought, and died, for a country that did not always see them as equals.' Before handing out the medals, Obama pointed out Libman, 83, and his wife Marilyn who sat in the audience. Over 50 years, they pursued the Medal of Honor through letter writing, phone calls, and military and political representative visits for his childhood friend Leonard Kravitz (uncle to rock star Lenny Kravitz). The two men were raised in Brooklyn and, after high school graduation, joined the Army. Pfc. Kravitz was an assistant machine gunner who on March 6-7, 1951, repulsed with his platoon in Yangpyong, Korea, two Chinese probing attacks. When it was apparent they were about to be overrun by a third assault, Kravitz shouted to his comrades to retreat as he stayed behind to cover them. The next day, his platoon retook the position and found Kravitz killed with enemy bodies strewed around his machine gun position. Libman studied the account of his friend's final stand and reviewed the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. He was convinced his friend had earned the Medal of Honor and was offended the Army had awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to his fallen Jewish comrade. He surmised Kravitz and other Jewish soldiers were denied the Medal of Honor because of their religion. He described himself as normally not an action-oriented man, but this disservice roused a passion for military recognition for the Jewish soldiers' gallantry in U.S. wars. After Libman and his wife moved to Florida, he convinced U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler to pursue legislative action. Wexler introduced the Leonard Kravitz Jewish War Veterans Act of 2001. The bill called for all military branches to review the records of all Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross Jewish recipients for Medal of Honor eligibility. Although the bill didn't pass, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 called for the review, including Latino soldiers. After 10 years of arduous review of thousands of records, the Army found 24 soldiers who deserved the Medal of Honor. Of the 24 honorees, 10 died in foreign lands. Joe Baldonado's body, 20, was never found in Vietnam, and one soldier was not a U.S. citizen. At Aprilia, Italy, on May 27-28, 1944, Pfc. Salvador J. Lara led his rifle squad in multiple attacks against German positions, inflicting mortal wounds and routing the enemy. The next day, he advanced alone, despite suffering a leg wound, with a Browning automatic weapon and knocked out three machine gun nests. Green Beret Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, an African American soldier, retrieved under fire at Chi Lang, Vietnam, the body of another team commander on Sept. 17, 1969. Although shot three times, he tossed hand grenades into four enemy bunkers, mortally wounding the enemy, and successfully reached his lines. During the Vietnam War, African American leaders like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. denounced the war in 1967. Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to serve in the military after he was drafted in 1966 because of racial discrimination African Americans suffered in the United States. African American soldiers were fighting on two fronts. Pfc. William F. Leonard performed bravely near St. Die, France on Nov. 7, 1944, under fire when he led an assault against snipers and a machine gun nest. Stunned momentarily by an exploding bazooka shell, he recovered, advanced, and eliminated a second machine gun unit and captured a roadblock. For a complete accounting of the heroic actions of the 24 recipients, please search for President Obama's Valor 24 Medal of Honor ceremony remarks on the Army website. On March 19, 2014, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel inducted the 24 Medal of Honor awardees to the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. He recognized Libman, who sat in the audience. Hagel said, 'He was the driving force behind this effort to award the Medal of Honor to Jewish and Hispanic service members who had earned it, but never received it because of racial or religious discrimination.' After spending most of his life striving for Medal of Honor awards for Kravitz and other Jewish comrades, Libman would probably have been pleased with the 'Valor 24' display that includes a photo of Kravitz. Libman died in Hollywood, Florida, at age 86 on June 24, 2017. Mission accomplished. Author Richard J. Gonzales writes and speaks about Fort Worth, national and international Latino history.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
David Trinko: 'Faces of war' memorial long overdue
May 24—Memorial Day weekend should be about more than eating dog dogs, drinking beer and watching baseball. Monday's federal holiday is a day to mourn and honor the sacrifices of the people who died while serving our country. I spent some time Thursday contemplating this at the Allen County Museum, where you can find the Roll of Valor, honoring all of the Medal of Honor recipients. On the other side of the room are glass cases focusing on two local men who died in World War II and earned the Medal of Honor, Marine Pfc. Leonard F. Mason and U.S. Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. William E. Metzger Jr. Metzger earned his for continuing with his bombing run in Saarbrucken, Germany, after three of his aircraft's four engines were damaged by antiaircraft fire. His crew delivered their bombs before going to a safe area for the crew to bail out of the plane, while Metzger, the pilot and another crew member crash-landed and died Nov. 9, 1944. Mason died on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead in Guam on July 22, 1944. He took fire from Japanese forces, yet he still climbed out of a gully and moved toward the rear of the enemy position to clear it out, succeeding in his goal but paying with his life. While these are wonderful displays to keep the memory of these two heroes alive, I look forward to the day I can visit the Allen County War Memorial and contemplate the 780-plus Allen County war casualties over the years. The plan is for a site at the corner of state Route 117 and Bowman Road. It's 12 years in the making and remains very much alive. You can learn more at including the names of all those men and women. The Allen County Veterans Memorial Foundation, led by Vietnam veteran David Paxton Sr., has its annual golf tournament scheduled to start 9 a.m. Saturday, May 31 at Hidden Creek Golf Club. The goal is to add to the nearly $200,000 raised thus far to make a reality of the memorial and the "Faces of War" 12-inch wide by 18-inch plaques about each person's oblation. "I've had the mother of a fallen soldier and the wife of a fallen soldier come up with tears in their eyes," Paxton said. "They said, 'I thought everybody forgot and nobody cares.' That's some of the fuel for me, looking into their eyes." The group overcame plenty of hurdles over the years, raising the money, designing the memorial and even having two other civil engineers stop working before the current one, Choice One Engineering, of Sidney, picked up the project. The impact of COVID slowed it down. Lasting effects of Agent Orange hampered Paxton's efforts. Now, the biggest challenge may be stormwater drainage. The group meets with the Allen County commissioners on Tuesday. It received positive news from the Ohio EPA that its plans kept the stormwater drainage clean. Now they need the commissioners' approval to exempt the site from a retention pond that would significantly increase the price of the project, which Paxton said has "a couple top donors sitting on their checks" until it's ready for the next step. I hope they find a way to make this work. There's a nice video walking through the plans and honoring many of these people online at The Veterans Memorial Grove planned outside Veterans Memorial Civic Center will effectively honor all who served in the different branches of the military. Still, it would be beneficial to our community to visualize the individuals who died serving their country, on Memorial Day and on any day. We could think about those 328 people from here who died in World War II, including the well-known Mason and Metzger but also people like Bluffton's Ralph Schulte, who died Sept. 24, 1943, while serving in the Army. We should all learn more about the 136 who died in World War I, including the Army's Don Wilson, who died Sept. 30, 1918. We could study the contributions of Isaac B. Spriggs, who died Sept. 9, 1864, one of 211 area soldiers to die in the Civil War. The same with the 52 who died in the Korean War, including the Army's Nicholas George, who died Oct. 10, 1951. And for the Army's Larry VanMeter, of Columbus Grove, who died Oct. 7, 1968, one of 39 local people to die in service of the Vietnam War. There are plenty of brave men and women who've died while serving our country, people like Leslie Rusnock, of the Women's Army Corps, who died March 8, 1958, in peacetime, or the Navy's Richard P. Sites, who died in non-war operations on April 26, 1952. There's room for more recent sacrifices, such as the three who died in Afghanistan, including the Army Staff Sgt. Sonny Zimmerman (who died July 16, 2013); and the five who died in Iraq, including Army Capt. Dennis Pintor (Oct. 12, 2004). Some day, we'll have the chance to think about all of them, if we only bring this mission to its completion, like these heroes did. ONLY ON See past columns by David Trinko at David Trinko is editor of The Lima News. Reach him at 567-242-0467, by email at dtrinko@ or on Twitter/X @Lima_Trinko. Featured Local Savings
CBS News
24-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Marine veteran on 30-year mission to award Medal of Honor to Army lieutenant from Illinois taken prisoner in WWI
Marine vet on mission to award Medal of Honor to WWI soldier from Naperville Marine vet on mission to award Medal of Honor to WWI soldier from Naperville Marine vet on mission to award Medal of Honor to WWI soldier from Naperville On this Memorial Day weekend, we honor American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. That includes an act of bravery that took place more than a century ago, and efforts now to make sure a soldier is never forgotten. Once a marine always a marine, but never has Lew Breese had a mission last this long. "I'm a United States Marine. We just don't quit," he said. It's taken him almost 30 years to get the complete picture of a young Army lieutenant's sacrifice during World War I. Lt. Oliver Julian Kendall, who went by Judd, is the namesake of the VFW post in his hometown of Naperville, Illinois, but no one knows Judd Kendall's story better than Bresse. "I just couldn't believe what this man had done," he said. In May 1918, Kendall was in command of soldiers preparing trenches before the American offensive in Cantigny, France. "They got caught in an artillery barrage. People scattered," Bresse said. Kendall continued alone until captured by German soldiers. "Can you imagine what this man had to go through? Not only the physical pain, but the mental pain," Bresse said. As a prisoner of war, Kendall refused to talk. "Seven teeth in the front of his face were missing. … They were knocked out by a rifle butt, or whatever, or they were pulled out one by one," Bresse said. "His throat had been cut, finally, because he wouldn't divulge any information." Kendall's silence likely saved lives; a heroic act the VFW post named after him believes is worthy of the nation's highest honor: the Medal of Honor. "He deserves every bit of the recognition that we want him to get and more," said Staci Boyer, commander of the Judd Kendall VFW post. Boyer said Bresse's research has been handed over to U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL). "We're making headway, for sure," she said. Foster's office said the congressman is working with the Department of the Army. "My office is deeply honored to play a role in nominating 1st Lt. Oliver Julian Kendall for the Medal of Honor. His service to our nation stands as a timeless example of valor and sacrifice. Though decades have passed, it's never too late to honor his legacy with the gratitude it deserve," Foster said in a statement. The recommendation process involves multiple steps, and can take well over a year. "What more can one do for his country than give his life?" Bresse said. A marine hasn't finished his mission yet. "Not until I get a yay or nay," Bresse said. One big hurdle in the mission over the years was the lack of proof that Kendall was captured alive, but Bresse said there's definitive proof. He found German military records that state an American officer was taken as a POW exactly where Kendall went missing.
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Atlanta Braves Host Medal of Honor Recipients on Military Appreciation Day at Truist Park in Collaboration with the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / May 22, 2025 / The National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership is proud to collaborate with the Atlanta Braves for a powerful day of recognition and reflection on Friday, May 23, 2025, during their Military Appreciation Day presented by T-Mobile at Truist Park as the Braves take on the San Diego Padres. This special day will include a pregame ceremony featuring a tribute to Medal of Honor recipients Edward C. Byers Jr., US Navy (Ret.), and Leroy A. Petry, US Army (Ret.), who will be honored on-field for their extraordinary service and sacrifice. The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for valor in combat. Today, only 61 living recipients remain-and two will take center stage at Truist Park to share the values that defined their service: courage, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, citizenship and patriotism. Their stories, shared in the presence of Braves fans and community leaders, offer lessons that transcend the battlefield and resonate across every facet of American life. 'This event brings the spirit of the Medal of Honor to life,' says Thomas J. Mundell, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership. 'Thanks to the Atlanta Braves, we are not only honoring these heroes - we are amplifying their message of servant leadership to a wider audience.' This special on-field presentation will be one of several ways the Braves will commemorate Military Appreciation Day. Guests of the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, including veterans, supporters and civic leaders, will gather in a private suite provided by the Braves to celebrate these heroes and the organization's mission to deliver values-based leadership education programming nationwide. The National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership is committed to preparing individuals across all walks of life to meet their moment. Through immersive programs and its upcoming flagship facility in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., the Center for Leadership is equipping tomorrow's leaders with the values that define our nation's greatest heroes. Join the Movement and Get Involved The National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership invites the public to: To learn more and/or donate to the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, visit About the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership The National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership's mission is to inspire, develop, empower and challenge leaders through the values embodied by our country's Medal of Honor Recipients. With leadership education opportunities that include fellowship programs and onsite trainings, as well as a nationwide digital educational platform and audience-curated visitor experiences, Americans of all ages, backgrounds and locations will learn leadership values of courage, sacrifice, citizenship, integrity, commitment and patriotism to inspire them to transform lives, shape the future, and carry forward the best traditions of what it means to be an American. For more information, visit ### Media Contact: Anna Kate Twitty, [email protected] SOURCE: National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership press release
