Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Soldiers

 The POW/MIA Flag is one of the most recognized symbols today. However, it is a fairly young concept. It wasn't until 1971 that the idea was actually thought of. The wife of MIA serviceman Michael Hoft was a member of the National League of Families and, recognizing the need for a symbol for those held prisoner and those missing, she contacted the Vice President of Annin & Company, Norman Rivkees, to make a flag. Newton Heisley, a creative director for advertising in New Jersey and a WWII Pilot, was selected for the job. The design was as it is still seen today: “a silhouette of a man's head with barbed wire and a watchtower in the background, with a flag bearing "You Are Not Forgotten" below the design.” It was approved by the National League of Families, manufactured, and distributed. However, it was not until 1990 when the 101st Congress officially recognized the flag and designated it "the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for the families and the Nation". In 1998, the 105th Congress passed the Defense Authorization Act that required the POW/MIA Flag fly six days each year: “Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day (July 4), National POW/MIA Recognition Day (3rd Friday in September), and Veterans Day (November 11).”

 

There are many locations around our country that fly the POW/MIA Flag: the White House, the Capitol Building, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial, all of which are in Washington DC; every national cemetery; buildings containing the offices of the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, and the Director of the Selective Service System; every major military installation as designated by the Secretary of Defense, and every United States Postal Service. On every National POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982, the POW/MIA Flag has flown over the White House. It is the ONLY flag, with the exception of the American Flag of course, to fly over the White House and the Capitol.

As with any flag, there are certain protocols to follow when displaying the POW/MIA Flag. On one flagpole, the POW/MIA Flag is flown below the American Flag but above any state flag. On two flagpoles, the POW/MIA flag is flown on the same pole as the American Flag but below it. And any state flag should fly on the second pole, which should be to the left of the POW/MIA and American Flags. On three flagpoles, the American Flag should be flown on the pole located to the POW/MIA Flag's own right, the POW/MIA Flag flown on the middle pole, and any state flag should be flown on the pole to its left. 

The history of the POW/MIA Bracelet is not one that is much known. It all began with an organization called Voices in Vital America (VIVA), originally formed by several college students, an adult advisor, and a returning veteran. At the time of its creation in the 1960s, there were no organizations geared towards helping Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action. The bracelets were inspired by Bob Dornan, the returning veteran and TV personality. He wore a bracelet he had obtained while in Vietnam from hill tribesmen, "which he said always reminded him of the suffering the war had brought to so many". This inspired the students to want to wear their own bracelets as a way to remember those US POWs and MIAs. Because VIVA had no many to create the bracelets, the students had a difficult time finding someone to make them. However, they were eventually able to receive enough donations and find a company willing to make them. The bracelets were originally sold for between $2.50 and $3 and were made from nickel-plate or copper. In September 1970, VIVA attended the “National League of Families annual meeting in Washington, DC” and was amazed at the interest of the wives and parents of those POWs or MIAs in having their man’s name put on bracelets. On 11 November 1970, the program officially kicked off with a news conference at the Universal Sheraton Hotel and public response quickly grew to the point that the group was “receiving over 12,000 requests a day”. The two remaining students working on the project eventually dropped out of college in order to work full time with VIVA. “In all, VIVA distributed nearly five million bracelets and raised enough money to produce untold millions of bumper stickers, buttons, brochures, matchbooks, newspaper ads, etc., to draw attention to the missing men.  In 1976, VIVA closed its doors.  By then the American public was tired of hearing about Vietnam and showed no interest in the POW/MIA issue.” Today, the interest has picked up again and bracelets are still being engraved and distributed. I proudly wear my MIA Bracelet for Captain James Edmund Carlton Jr. We should NEVER forget!

Sources:

http://www.united-states-flag.com/history-pow-mia-flag.html

http://www.miafacts.org/bracelets.htm

USS New Jersey, America's MOST Decorated Battleship

The USS New Jersey (BB-62), the second ship to be named the New Jersey, was launched in December 1942. She remained in service and action until 1991 when she was decommissioned. In 2000, she took up her final home in Camden, NJ, to become a museum. During her 49 years of service, the USS New Jersey took part in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and service off Beirut, Lebanon, and service in the Persian Gulf prior to Desert Storm. During those years, she received a total of 19 Battle and Campaign Stars. With that total, the USS New Jersey is America’s most decorated battleship and surviving warship. I have had the honor of touring this majestic battleship and recommend it to anyone in the area. She truly is amazing.

The American Submarine

          The U.S. Navy’s attack submarine is one of the most lethal weapons in our country’s arsenal, and they are stealthy. In fact, submarines can be considered one of the original stealth weapons. This particular area of the Navy is nicknamed “the Silent Service”. It has earned its nickname rightfully, as submarines patrol the world’s oceans and seas undetected and invisible, carrying out various missions. The first American submarine, named the Turtle, was designed and built by Yale graduate, David Bushnell in 1776. Yes, the submarine is as old as the United States herself. Originally a one-man vessel, it was “submerged by admitting water into the hull and surfaced by pumping it out with a hand pump. Powered by a pedal-operated propeller and armed with a keg of powder, the egg-shaped Turtle gave Revolutionary Americans high hopes for a secret weapon - a weapon that could destroy the British warships anchored in New York Harbor.” On its very first mission on the night of September 6^th, the Turtle made its way in the dark waters of New York Harbor towards the British vessel the HMS Eagle. However, the first attempt to attach the Turtle’s torpedo to the hull of the HMS Eagle failed as the screw was unable to penetrate its hull. The second attempt was also a failure. As the Turtle turned back to shore it was observed and followed, causing the pilot of the Turtle to release the torpedo into the waters. While the explosion caused no damage, the “British recognized the threat and moved the fleet. Weather problems and other operating difficulties prevented a successful attack by the submarine before it was scuttled by the British while being transported.” During the Civil War, Confederate Lawson Hunley converted an old steam boiler into a submarine, and after two failed water trials that killed the crews of each and Hunley himself, the submarine was named the Hunley in honor of its creator. The Hunley was much larger than the Turtle and could hold 8 or 9 men and was propelled by a hand-driven screw. “In 1864, armed with a 90-pound charge of powder on a long pole, the Hunley attacked and sank a new Federal steam sloop, USS Housatonic, at the entrance to Charleston Harbor.” After this, she was never seen of again until 131 years later in 1995 when her wreckage was discovered off the coast of South Carolina. Today, the United States Navy has many different kinds of submarines that can hold 100+ men. They sure have come a long way since 1776. Here’s to those that serve in the Silent Service as the Guardians of the Deep. 


Sources:
 

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ships/subs/subs.asp

http://www.mayflowerfamilies.com/a_1776_submarine.htm

http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/Submarines_2.htm

The Distinguished Service Cross

          The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military honor on the Pyramid of Honor, second only to the Medal of Honor. For the Army, it is the Distinguished Service Cross; for the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard it is the Navy Cross; and for the Air Force it is the Air Force Cross. At the time of World War I, the only military award issued for valor was the Medal of Honor, but there was no award to distinguish any act of heroism that was less than what was required by the Medal of Honor. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson and Congress instituted the Distinguished Service Cross (for combat heroism) and the Distinguished Service Medal (for non-combat heroism) for the United States Army. “It is the highest U.S. Army award that can be awarded to civilians in service to the military or to foreign nationals.  Even in these cases, the criteria for award are the same.”  A year later, 1919, the Navy Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal were created for the Navy and the Marine Corps. However, at that point in time, since the Navy Cross was third behind the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, “more than one Navy Cross recipient regarded its award as a "snub" in lieu of the Distinguished Service Medal”. It wasn’t until 7 August 1942 that Congress placed the Navy Cross just under the Medal of Honor, making it the second highest award issued for the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard, and limiting it to combat-only heroism. For the United States Air Force, the award was originally called the “Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force)”. It was first proposed in 1947 after the establishment of the United States Air Force as its own military branch. The name was changed to the Air Force Cross on 6 July 1960 by Public Law 88-593 established by Congress. Since its establishment (for each branch) a grand total of 13,446 Distinguished Service Crosses have been awarded to military personnel and civilians. 440 of which were awarded to foreign military members and 11 were awarded to civilian personnel. 

To learn more about each, go to the following websites:

http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/navcross.htm

http://usafeenlistedheritage.org/distinguished/decorated/criteria/?id=3

http://www.homeofheroes.com/distinguishedservicecross/index.html

The Bronze Star

The Bronze Star: “awarded to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded either for combat heroism or for meritorious service.” This is the fourth highest military award for heroism, courage, or meritorious service. If the award is received because of Valor, a bronze “V” device is worn on the ribbon of the Bronze Star Medal to distinguish the reason behind the award from meritorious action. There are several attachments to the Bronze Star Medal. “For additional awards, every next decoration was to be shown by a Bronze Oak leaf Cluster (US Army and Air Force) or a Golden Star (US Navy, Marines and Coast Guard). At every fifth award, the Bronze and Golden were replaced by a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster or Silver Star.”  Originally, Colonel Russell P. Reeder came up with the idea in 1943 that a ground version of the Air Medal be created for Captains of a Battery of Company to award the personnel for those who served under them. He believed that this award would help to boost the morale among the troops, as the Air Medal had done for Airmen.  General George C. Marshall wrote a memorandum to President Roosevelt on 3 February 1944 stating that “the fact that the ground troops, Infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes the maintenance of their morale of great importance. The award of the Air Medal has had an adverse reaction on the ground troops, particularly the Infantry Riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground, in the Army, and enduring the greatest hardships.” The next day, 4 February 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star by Executive Order 9419. On 24 August 1962, President John F. Kennedy amended this Executive Order (per Executive order 11046) to include “individuals serving with friendly military forces”. I am proud to say that while serving in the 92^nd Signal Corps under the 92^nd Infantry Division in World War II, my grandfather, my Papa Ghyll, received two Bronze Stars.

Information gathered from:

 

http://www.ww2awards.com/award/245

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armymedals/ss/bsm.htm

http://www.homeofheroes.com/medals/pages_wh/10_bronzestar.html

http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/bronze-star-medal-p-16.html

http://www.amervets.com/bsmedl.htm

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/bronze_star.aspx

The Congressional Medal of Honor

          

          The Medal of Honor is the highest ranking United States’ combat award. The Navy, Army, and the Air Force all have a different design for the Medal of Honor; the Marine Corps and Navy share a design. 

          For the U.S. Navy, the Medal of Honor was authorized in December 1861, during the Civil War, as an award for enlisted men and originally served to “further promote the efficiency of the Navy” but subsequently included “deeds of gallantry and heroism in times of War and Peace” on the part of the officers and enlisted men. However, in 1942, criteria were restricted to acts of extraordinary heroism in armed combat and it is presented for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty”. To date, there have been 746 Medals of Honor presented to Navy personnel. A total of 3,445 Medals of Honor have been presented to people in all military branches

          The original Army Medal of Honor was very similar to the Navy Medal of Honor, with the exception that instead of an anchor there was an eagle perched on a cannon clutching a saber in it its talons. As with all Medals of Honor, it is awarded to someone who has “distinguished themselves above and beyond the call of duty by risking their own lives in combat action with a known armed enemy of the United States”. They are awarded sparingly and are awarded to the bravest of the brave and the courage must be well documented. Since 1998, “at least 15 other Medals of Honor have been awarded to correct past administrative errors, oversights and follow-up on lost recommendations or as a result of new evidence”.

          The United States Air Force was originally part of the United States Army and remained under the Army until the National Security Act of 1947 was passed and the Air Forced was deemed to be its own separate military branch. On 6 July 1960, the United States Congress established the Congressional Medal of Honor as the highest award specifically granted by the United States Air Force. It is awarded to officers and enlisted members of the United States Air Force who have “distinguished themselves above and beyond the call of duty by risking their own lives in combat action with a known armed enemy of the United States”. The current version used by the Air Force was approved in 1965. On 19 January 1967, Major Bernard F. Fisher became the first person in the United States Air Force to receive the Medal of Honor. He was bestowed this honor for his actions on 10 March 1966 in Vietnam. On that day, Fisher risked his life under an attack of 2,000 hostile North Vietnamese Army regulars to fly in and rescue and downed airman who had crash landed on the airstrip in the area. The downed airman survived that day and avoided capture by the enemy because of Major Fisher’s actions that day.

          The first African American recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor was William Carney. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1863 at Fort Wagner, South Carolina. He was a member of the 54^th Massachusetts Regiment in the Civil War. It was the state’s first all-black regiment. During the battle he noticed that the man carrying the flag had been wounded so he bravely rescued the flag and carried it safely to his regiment. It is reported that after it was safely in position he shouted “Boys, the old flag never touched the ground”. He was wounded during the battle. However, he was not awarded the Medal of Honor until May 1900, a whole 37 years later. The brave deed of Carney rescuing the flag before it hit the ground is depicted on the Saint-Guadens Monument in Boston and the flag itself is enshrined in Memorial Hall in Boston.

          There has only ever been one woman to receive the Medal of Honor. Dr. Mary Walker, a surgeon during the American Civil War, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson for her actions at Bull Run on 21 July 1861. However, in 1917, her award was rescinded along with some 900 others; the complete reason being unknown. There has been speculation that her medal was rescinded because of her involvement as a suffragette, but she refused to return the medal that had been bestowed upon her and wore it until her death in 1919. On 10 June 1977 the United States Congress reinstated her medal posthumously and it was restored by President Jimmy Carter. Although she is the ONLY woman to receive the Medal of Honor, there are TWO women’s names on the Roll of Honor. The second woman on the Roll of Honor is M. Sando Vargas, the mother of Marine Captain Jay R. Vargas. Captain Vargas received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War but before he was awarded the medal, his mother passed away. He requested that her name be engraved on the back of his Medal of Honor instead of his own and President Richard Nixon honored this request.

          Did you know there has ever been only ONE President of the United States to receive the Medal of Honor??? Theodore Roosevelt received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions as a Colonel in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War. Oddly enough, his son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was also awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on 6 June 1945 during the Normandy landings. He is one of the TWO sons of U.S. Presidents to receive this award. Webb Cook Hayes, son of President Rutherford B. Hayes, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine Insurrection. Also in the Medal of Honor history, 19 men have been awarded this honor twice and 5 sets of brothers have been awarded the Medal of Honor as well.