crossfire numerous times throughout
the battle to extract wounded Soldiers,
while also fighting the enemy. His
relentless and courageous actions
inspired and motivated his comrades to
fight for their survival. When supplies
ran low, Private First-Class McCloughan
volunteered to hold a blinking strobe
light in an open area as a marker for a
nighttime resupply drop. He remained
steadfast while bullets landed all around
him and rocket propelled grenades flew
over his prone, exposed body. During the
morning darkness of May 15th, Private
First Class McCloughan knocked out a
rocket propelled grenade position with
a grenade, fought and eliminated enemy
soldiers, treated numerous casualties,
kept two critically wounded Soldiers
alive during the night, and organized
the dead and wounded for evacuation
at daylight. His timely and courageous
actions were instrumental in saving the
lives of his fellow Soldiers. Private First-
Class McCloughan’s personal heroism,
professional competence, and devotion
to duty are in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and
reflect great credit upon himself, the
America l Division, and the United
States Army.
Medals of Honor are awarded sparingly
and are bestowed only to the bravest of
the brave; and that courage must be well
documented. Other recent Army Medal
of Honor Recipients are:
Lieutenant Col. Charles Kettles
Captain Florent Groberg
Sergeant Henry Johnson
Sergeant William Shemin
1st Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing
Command Sergeant Maj. Bennie G. Adkins
Specialist 4 Donald Sloat
Staff Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts
Sergeant Kyle J. White
Captain William D. Swenson
Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter
Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha
Sergeant 1st Class Leroy A. Petry
Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta
Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller
Sergeant 1st Class Jared C. Mont
Private 1st Class Ross McGinnis
Sergeant 1st Class Paul R. Smith
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 because of new evidence.
Here are just a few examples of Soldiers
who were awarded the Medal of Honor
from three wars. Their actions, like the
other recipients of the medal, were far
and above the call of duty.
During the Civil War, the job of color
bearer was one of the most hazardous
as well as important duties in the Army.
Soldiers looked to the flag for direction
and inspiration in battle and the bearer
was usually out in front, drawing heavy
enemy fire while holding the flag high.
On 16 November 1863, regimental color
bearer Private Joseph E. Brandle, from
the 17th Michigan Infantry, participated
in a battle near Lenoire, Tennessee.
"Having been twice wounded and the
sight of one eye destroyed, he still held
to the colors until ordered to the rear by
his regimental commander."
Corporal Alvin C. York, from the
82nd Division, fearlessly engaged
the numerically superior German
force at Chatel-Chehery, France, on
8 October 1918 - just a month before
the armistice was signed. His citation
reads: "...After his platoon had suffered
heavy casualties and three other
noncommissioned officers had become
casualties, Corporal York assumed
command. Fearlessly leading seven
men, he charged with great daring
toward a machine gun nest, which
was pouring deadly and incessant fire
upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the
machine gun nest was taken, together
with four officers and 128 men and
several guns."
Valor is found across the times as well
as across the ranks, as World War II
2nd Lieutenant Robert Craig, from the
3rd Infantry Division, demonstrated.
According to his citation, 2nd Lieutenant
Craig volunteered to defeat an enemy
machine gun that three other officers
before him could not. He quickly located
the gun outside of Favoratta, Sicily, but
without cover, he and his men found
themselves vulnerable to approximately
100 enemies. "Electing to sacrifice
himself so that his platoon might carry
on the battle, he ordered his men to
withdraw... while he drew the enemy
fire to himself. With no hope of survival,
he charged toward the enemy until he
was within 25 yards of them. Assuming
a kneeling position, he killed five and
wounded three enemy soldiers. While
the hostile force concentrated fire on
him, his platoon reached the cover of the
crest. 2nd Lieutenant Craig was killed
by enemy fire, but his intrepid action
so inspired his men that they drove the
enemy from the area, inflicting heavy
casualties on the hostile force."
Article provide by army.mil/medalofhonor.
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