Marine Medal of Honor Recipients at Guadalcanal

[MDDgames]

The bridge from Duluth Mn to Superior Wi (US 2) is the Richard Bong bridge. Keep going east on US 2 and you pass through his hometown (Popular, Wi).

The airport in Milwaukee, Wi is General Mitchell international airport. He was born in France, but grew up in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis.

[JohnDillworth]

General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was awarded the MOH for his distinguished service on June 6th 1944. did he deserve it? Perhaps. Based on my reading it's hard to say there were not at least 1,000 others who were equally or more deserving. Unlike most recipients, he survived the battle that earned him the award. I suspect most of the truly deserving died with their deeds unrecognized. I think if you were there in August 1942 or June 1944 or pick you time and battlefield for whatever nationality you were a hero. Didn't Lincoln say something about extraordinary times making the expeditionary man?

[Dereck]

I'm guessing Douglas Munro, Signalman 1st Class and was the Coast Guardsman mentioned who received the MOH on Guadalcanal.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The source I used for my information is Strong Men Armed, by Robert Leckie. From a list in the appendix, here are the Marine MOH recipients from Guadalcanal (note that at least three of the six officers are infantry - Bailey, Edson and Vandegrift, so I'm not sure about Sulu's "5 of 6" were pilots):

1. Kenneth Bailey, major
2. John Basilone, sergeant
3. Merritt Edson, colonel
4. Joseph Foss, captain
5. Robert Galer, major
6. Douglas Munro, Signal 1/c (is that a first corporal?)
7. Mitchell Paige, platoon sergeant
8. John Smith, major
9. Archer Vandegrift, major general

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was awarded the MOH for his distinguished service on June 6th 1944. did he deserve it? Perhaps. Based on my reading it's hard to say there were not at least 1,000 others who were equally or more deserving. Unlike most recipients, he survived the battle that earned him the award. I suspect most of the truly deserving died with their deeds unrecognized. I think if you were there in August 1942 or June 1944 or pick you time and battlefield for whatever nationality you were a hero. Didn't Lincoln say something about extraordinary times making the expeditionary man?

The British system would award a Knighthood or similar in this circumstance, for example all of the Corps Commanders were knighted after the japanese "March on Delhi". This allowed the Victoria Cross to be kept for combat situations, after all FOR VALOUR is on the medal.

As the US got rid of the British system 230 years ago, they have used the MoH to cover both categories which can sometimes lead to "undeserving" awardees when looking from a purely combat view.

The US also changed the criteria which led to fewer occasions which in the British System might see a George Cross awarded (The USN was handing them out for saving drowning sailor & civilians.

CR, I think if you look at the bigger picture of WW2, the MoH was probably awarded to Other Ranks about 50-60% of the time, not far off other Nations and more in line with your expectations.

[JeffroK]

In a barely linked thread:

3 men have been awarded the Victoria Cross & Bar, or 2 seperate Medals.

Apart from this, what links them together???

[Symon]

I must say I like the UK/Commonwealth system of awarding decorations better than ours. Back in my day, two or three rows over the left breast was sufficient. If you were good, foreign, maybe three or four 'authorized' decorations over your right breast. You could meet a man in his class As and do a quick eye twitch and know just how gnarly this fellow was (is).

Nowdays, our generals measure themselves by the number of inches of ribbons they have. They must have 50 pounds of metal dragging them to the left. No wonder they get back problems. It is an utter joke. They look worse than the Argentines, especially what with the new uniform.

I have always been a believer in minimalism. The more crap on your uniform, the less likely you are to have been worth it. Just IMHO.

Cio. JWE

[reg113]

+1 [:D]

[geofflambert]

Any opinion as to whether Van der Grift deserved his?

Speaking of 6' CG men, there was a height limit for the Navy, anyone know what it was? Bill DeBlasio's dad (Bill's running for NYC mayor) was too tall and enlisted in the Army instead. Was there a limit for Marine pilots? You can only squeeze so much body into one of those cockpits.

[geofflambert]

There's a list here: http://www.worldwar2history.info/Medal- ... canal.html Doesn't mention the General, but does an Admiral posthumously (Savo Island).

Five of eleven were enlisted on that list.

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

In a barely linked thread:

3 men have been awarded the Victoria Cross & Bar, or 2 seperate Medals.

Apart from this, what links them together???

Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC & Bar, MC (9 November 1884 – 4 August 1917)
The battlefield of Guillemont was to see acts of heroism by Captain Chavasse, the only man to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice during the First World War. In 1916, Chavasse was hit by shell splinters while rescuing men in no-man's land. It is said he got as close as 25 yards from the German line, where he found three men and continued throughout the night under a constant rain of sniper bullets and bombing. He performed similar heroics in the offensive at Passchendaele to gain a second VC and become the most highly decorated British serviceman in the war. Although operated upon, he was to die of his wounds two days later in 1917.

Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Martin-Leake VC and Bar received his first VC in 1902 during the Boer War while serving as a surgeon captain in the South African Constabulary attached to the 5th Field Ambulance, and the Bar whilst serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps near Zonnebeke, Belgium in 1914.

Captain Charles Upham VC and Bar of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) Canterbury Battalion, for actions during the Battle of Crete in May 1941; his Bar as a captain during First Battle of El Alamein in July 1942.

When Chevasse was mortally wounded he was operated on by Martin-Leake, Upham was related on his wifes side of the family to Chevasse

[cplprice]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

Any opinion as to whether Van der Grift deserved his?

Speaking of 6' CG men, there was a height limit for the Navy, anyone know what it was? Bill DeBlasio's dad (Bill's running for NYC mayor) was too tall and enlisted in the Army instead. Was there a limit for Marine pilots? You can only squeeze so much body into one of those cockpits.

IMHO, Vandergrift did deserve his. MacArthur did not deserve his.

There's a list here: http://www.worldwar2history.info/Medal- ... canal.html Doesn't mention the General, but does an Admiral posthumously (Savo Island).

Five of eleven were enlisted on that list.

There were two admiral's awarded the Medal of Honor for the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12-13 November 1942, both of whom were killed during the action. Rear Admiral Norman Scott and Rear Admiral Daniel Callaghan. Captain Cassin Young, who had previously been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Pearl Harbor on December 07th, 1941 was also killed in this action along with the two Admirals.
I did not mention them in my previous list because the OP's title was "Marine Medal of Honor Recipients".

[Canoerebel]

Most folks here are probably familiar (at least somewhat) with Archer Vandegrift's role and conduct during Guadalanal.  From everything I've read, the man was stout, personally brave, a good leader, and of the highest moral character.  The US lodgement on Guadalcanl was small enough that at times there weren't any rear areas.  Vandegrift's post came under heavy attack during the Battle of Bloody Ridge a/k/a Battle of Edson's Ridge and many other times, when the issue was seriously in doubt, Vendegrift resolutely, calmly and adroitly led his men to victory.  It's hard for me to imagine somebody begrudging him the MoH.  I would pretty much dismiss out of hand any naysayer that hadn't served in the military as too unlikely to have a reasonable basis to contest the vast amount of documentation and other approbation of Vandegrift's merits.

[sandman455]

Here are my ideas on the award, but read the first paragraph of this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Honor

The key words that pertain to only one medal in the arm forces is:
". . .above and beyond the call of duty."
This isn't just critical to the medal - it is literally everything to it being awarded. You have other awards for valor, gallantry, meritorious, extraordinary heroism, etc etc. Only this medal talks about duty and going above and beyond.


So what is this "duty" concept? Clearly you must define that before you can decide whether this award is appropriate. And while the whole process of awarding one can turn into a joke or at least get very political, (as current events clearly demonstrate), yet if you pay critical attention to the "above and beyond the call of duty" part you will start to understand what this medal was suppose to be all about. It also gives you a good perspective of how some might be deserving and others might not.

Let me examine just two awards:

General Archer Vandegrift:

"For outstanding and heroic accomplishment above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Division in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period August 7, to December 9, 1942. With the adverse factors of weather, terrain, and disease making his task a difficult and hazardous undertaking, and with his command eventually including sea, land, and air forces of Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Major General Vandegrift achieved marked success in commanding the initial landings of the United States forces in the Solomon Islands and in their subsequent occupation. His tenacity, courage, and resourcefulness prevailed against a strong, determined, and experienced enemy, and the gallant fighting spirit of the men under his inspiring leadership enabled them to withstand aerial, land, and sea bombardment, to surmount all obstacles, and leave a disorganized and ravaged enemy. This dangerous but vital mission, accomplished at the constant risk of his life, resulted in securing a valuable base for further operations of our forces against the enemy, and its successful completion reflects great credit upon Major General Vandegrift, his command, and the United States Naval Service."

What was General Vandergrift's duty? What were his orders? Did he exceed his true call of duty. Questionable IMHO. The guy was a great man. I couldn't carry his bed pan. Yet his duties were clear and I don't feel he exceeded them. He was told to hold the place and to do what had to be done. That is the role of a commander. When your orders are clear and you are doing what you have been told to do, it becomes very difficult to justify the "above and beyond the call of duty" part of the award. Putting up a stout defense of Guadalcanal was his duty. Hold the place or get sacked or die. That is the military way. It's a tough nut, but that's was his job, let alone his duty, and that is why his MOH runs into question. The quality of his defense is more a reflection of his leadership skills than any valor on his part. IMHO, reward him with rank or two, and some other medal than the one reserved for those who go above and beyond the call of duty.


Brig General Theodore Roosevelt Jr

"For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in France. After 2 verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt's written request for this mission was approved and he landed with the first wave of the forces assaulting the enemy-held beaches. He repeatedly led groups from the beach, over the seawall and established them inland. His valor, courage, and presence in the very front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice. Although the enemy had the beach under constant direct fire, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt moved from one locality to another, rallying men around him, directed and personally led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France."

This is a clear cut MOH award. So much so that he was put in for only a DSC. The chain of command knew immediately that he was so far beyond his duties that there was no need to even put a package together to make it official. Roosevelt was a well healed business man a politician and the son of a former POTUS. He had amazing leadership skills. Out of OCS they gave him the rank of major. While not totally unheard of, it is enough to say that his brother was in the same class and they gave him 2nd LT. During his off and on military career he served well. It was pretty nuts for him to even be there since this wasn't a job for him. This is in stark contrast to my previous example of General Vandegrift, a career soldier. Roosevelt's sense of duty would not let him go home and enjoy the good life. On D-day - his DUTY was to be supporting Maj Gen Barton as a member of his staff. Instead he insisted on being on the leading landing craft. He had no official role other than to support the men landing on the beach. He was told he would probably die. He said at least the men next to him can use his corpse to hide behind. He felt it was far more important for someone to be with the men. You can bet the men in his landing craft weren't peeing in there pants as they looked across at an 1-star general holding a cane that he actually used to walk with. He couldn't run so he was going to be walking up the beach. Every single thing a soldier must do gets easier when he knows that there is always someone around who can suck up the blame for what goes wrong. It's like children being with a parent. The brigadier knew this. If the landing failed - he was right there to soak up the blame for thousands who would be doing their duty in trying to take the beach. The history books could forever use him as the reason why D-Day went bad at least on his beach. A staggering proposition. In General Omar Bradley's words, what Roosevelt did was "the single most heroic action he had ever seen in combat."

This is a MOH - open and shut. He went way behind his call of duty and that is what it's all about.

The MOH is NOT about taking a hill, or holding a position or doing some other brave and selfless act. You have stars and crosses for that stuff. If it was your duty, if that was what you were ordered to do, then you are pretty ruling out a MOH. Yet as soon as you go beyond that, then you start to see why they came up with the medal in the first place.

Those are my ideas about the Medal of Honor. Thanks for reading.