The Navy Cross The highest award for valor in the Department of the Navy is the Navy Cross. Sailors, Marines and other service members are eligible to receive the Navy Cross should their actions meet the award criteria, when operating under the Department of the Navy. Leaders must take the opportunity to emphasize this valor, because it will forever be rooted in our naval heritage. This paper explains the genesis, evolution, and Legacy of the Navy Cross. Genesis Prior to World War I (WWI), the highest medal for valor was the Medal of Honor. The Navy Cross was instituted after the entrance of the United States into WWI. European countries at that time had the practice of awarding heroes from other nations, but the MOH was the lone U.S. award for valor during this period (SECNAV, 2006). However, in 1918 the Army instituted the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal. Therefore, on February 4, 1919 by Act of Congress (Pub.L. 65-253) the Navy Cross was approved and retroactive …show more content…
This was due in part because the Navy Cross was awarded for combat heroism and other distinguished services. However, congress amended the award on August 7, 1942 making it combat only. This amendment promoted the Navy Cross equal to the Army Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross (DoD, 2016). To earn the Navy Cross a person must “distinguish himself in action” (DoN, n.d), with heroism not justifying the Medal of Honor. There are three circumstances of qualifying action, of which one must be met in order to be awarded the Navy Cross: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party (DoN,
World War one saw many great airmen, but there were two that stood out among the rest; Captain Edward Rickenbacker and 2nd Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr. These men both demonstrated courage and bravery that ultimately asked them for their life. Both men received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their deeds of bravery, as well as earning the title of Ace. An Ace is someone that has shot down at least five enemy planes. Rickenbacker was nicknamed “Ace of the Aces”, while Luke was the first of only two men to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Luke honored his country through his actions. Frank Luke Jr demonstrated superior characteristics that lead him to make a valuable contribution to World War I through bravery, skilled flying skills, and selflessness.
Audie Leon Murphy has earned all available U.S. military combat award for valor possible from the United States Army. He was also decorated by Belgium and France for his service. He serviced in the European Theater of Operations along with the Mediterranean. on January 26, 1945 Murphy earned the medal of honor because of what he had did at the Colmar Pocket near Holtzwihr, France when he was only 19 years old. He received it for his defensive actions against German troops- this shows his selfless service and personal courage. While he was wounded he alone stayed in a burning tank destroyer firing at the Germans- their soldiers and tanks- with a fully automatic machine gun. When he was out of ammo he climbed off the tank and led a successful counterattack after he had refused to let his wounds be treated. Another way he showed his personal courage-an army value.
According to Nofi, “The United States Marine Corps is America's best-known military unit and perhaps the most famous in the world” . The traditions of the Marine Corps date way back since 1775 and the current regulations have been derived from the way marines in the past carried out their day to day activities. Some customs have been incorporated into the current orders and regulations to be able to standardize conduct of the marines. It is important for a marine to know and keep in mind traditional customs because one should never forget their heritage, therefore, practiced tradition in the Marine Corps should take precedence over Marine Corps orders and regulations .
... to Barnum, people who have awards such as the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor effect not only those who hold them, but those that see others wearing them. Being a decorated veteran will change another person’s perspective of someone, even without meeting him or her previously. Barnum argues that these lies are detrimental to society and the government needs to do its job to protect its symbols and awards (Barnum, 849).
This is due to a stigma that presented itself during the Vietnam era – that is the time of the Vietnam War. Countless men were drafted into a war that no one wanted to fight. A study conducted in 1980 found that “Vietnam veterans who entered the military, served and fought in Vietnam, and were released into a hostile American society were severely handicapped” (Conflict). These men who were forced to give their lives, to become disabled in many cases, were released in this “hostile” society that hated them for doing what was not a choice on their end. They should have been honored like those who fought before them in World War II, but they were completely dismissed, despised, and left to fight for their own
Military life is like civilian life in many ways. For the most part you still work a regular job, you have to keep your life, housing, bills, car and other things in order. You will have a boss, work with other people, and have to exhibit initiative if you want to get ahead in your job.
America’s veterans should be honored because they have suffered through so many hardships that others could not and have not survived, and they did it for their country that they loved and still love today.
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
When I joined the United States Marine Corps, I knew it would change my life, but I never realized how great those changes would be. I was trained in public affairs as a print and broadcast journalist, and immediately stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Drastic life changes can take a toll both physically and emotionally over time, and it is always important to have a great personal support system to thrive through those times. My senior advisor at the time, Master Gunnery Sgt. (Master Guns) Charles Albrecht, turned out to be one of the best supporters I could ever ask for.
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant Dakota Meyers is an inspiration to not only marines like myself but to service members of all branches. Sergeant Meyer not only showed heroic actions in the Kunar Province, Afghanistan but, by answering the nations call when we needed service members to protect our borders from terrorism. Sergeant Meyers showed unwavering devotion to his country in the face of almost certain death by his courage and bravery, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. As a nation if we come together to face the problems at hand through bravery and courage we could conquer any problem we face.
In the first point that James M. McPherson makes, he explains the soldiers showing their self pride, community, and not disgracing their family. The men show pride in themselves because they didn’t want the people that knew them to think of them as cowards, “ personal honor is the one thing valued more than life itself by the majority of men” (McPherson Essay). If soldiers were to show any cowardice they would generally be rated out by
MacArthur, Douglas. “Duty, Honor, Country.” Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance. West Point, NY. 12 May, 1962.
As a cadet in the NJROTC program, the Navy's Core Value has changed my understandings of the role as a citizen of the United States. And because of honor, courage, and commitment it has somewhat helped me with what I've been through. Since I have took the time and actually understand what honor, courage, commitment means to me, it has assisted my everyday life and giving myself rules. And it has showed others the Navy core values, and doing so without telling but because of my actions. Getting the privilege to know honor, courage, commitment is like taking a big step in life.
Petty Officer Bell is a leader with boundless ability to adapt to various platforms and operational needs. He directly leads from the front with his Sailors and delivers mission success to NCTS Far East. At the same time, he provided much needed mentoring and training to Sailors further enhancing mission readiness and capability to Forwarded Deployed Naval Forces.
Chief Petty Officer PERKINS is cited for outstanding achievement while serving as a Duty Surfman, Boarding Officer, Operations Petty Officer, Senior Duty Officer and Surf Trainer at USCGS Oregon Inlet, from July 2014 to June 2018. On New Year’s Eve, 2015, demonstrating exceptional Surfman prowess, Chief PERKINS rescued the crew of the fishing Vessel BODY COUNT after they became disabled in heavy seas. He expertly towed the vessel across an 8’ breaking bar, then used the MLB to assist in hauling up the outrigger’s so he could fit the vessel through the narrow Bonner Bridge. As the units Surf Trainer Chief PERKINS completed 112 hours of surf missions resulting in the qualification of qualification of 01 Surfman, and 02 Hevyweather Coxswain.