I am remembering Alexander Bonnyman today, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic leadership at Tarawa, when he led Marines in destroying a Japanese emplacement of 150 enemy troops. Honor and remember!
November 21 William Hawkins Medal of Honor
I am thinking of William Hawkins today, who died leading Marines on Tarawa 80 years ago and who earned the Medal of Honor posthumously. Hawkins was a Mustang – a Marine officer who previously served as an enlisted Marines. He joined the Marine Corps right after Pearl Harbor was attacked, he earned a battlefield promotion in Guadalcanal where he was … Read More
November 19 The Gettysburg Address
Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address today, in 1863, some four and a half months after the battle. I think it’s worth reading and considering each section of this speech, which is about a Republic in motion, always requiring each new generation to honor and remember those who sacrificed all for the Republic, and, in turn, to devote themselves to securing … Read More
November 20 William Bordelon Medal of Honor
Sergeant William Bordelon earned the Medal of Honor posthumously on Tarawa, when he charged four Japanese pill boxes with demolitions despite being hit by machine gun fire. He also pulled to safety two wounded Marine trapped in the surf before he was by the Japanese. He was the first Marine from Texas to earn the Medal of Honor in World … Read More
November 17 Bernard Ray Medal of Honor
You have to stop and think about the Americans fighting in the Hurtgen Forest today, one of the most miserable and horrific combat experiences of World War II. I am remembering Bernard Ray, a 23 year old lieutenant with the 4th Infantry Division who earned the Medal of Honor posthumously when he sacrificed himself to destroy a wire obstacle belt … Read More
November 16 Freeman Horner Medal of Honor
I am thinking today about Freeman Horner, who earned the Medal of Honor in Germany in 1944. Horner was a private in Second Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. I dug into the combat history of Horner’s regiment and what these men experienced from June 13, 1944, when they landed in France, through the German … Read More
November 15 Mack Jordan Medal of Honor
the Korean War. His physical courage and drive and what he did in combat are unbelievable. What’s also crazy, though, is how when you scratch the surface on a story like this, the other soldiers and leaders who were with Jordan on that day were GIANTS as well. There are not many easy to find photos of Johnson, who was … Read More
November 13 Daniel Callaghan Medal of Honor
Admiral Daniel Callaghan earned the Medal of Honor posthumously for leading the American naval force to victory at theBattle of San island, off Guadalcanal. He was killed when an enemy shell hit the bridge of his flagship, the USS San Francisco. Honor and remember him!
November 13 Bruce McCandless Medal of Honor
Bruce McCandless earned the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Savo island off of Guadalcanal when he recovered from unconsciousness after a shell hit the bridge of the USS San Francisco, killing all of the more senior commanders, took command himself, got the ship back in the fight and led the fleet’s attack against the Japanese Navy, ensuring American … Read More