Clinton Romesha was hard at work one day after the November US Thanksgiving when his cell phone rang. He took the call and was probaly glad he did. It was President Obama calling him. It was supposed to be an unlisted number. But Clinton realized that the president probably had connections to get the unlisted number. Hehe.
That's when the former US Infantry Staff Sergeant had learned that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor and would be required to attend a formal ceremony at Washington in mid February to receive it. He will be the fouth living recipient to date in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Clinton and about 70 other Americans were stationed at an outpost in the province of Noristan in Eastern Afghanistan back in October 2009. On the 3rd, the troops were awoken to a very heavy enemy surprise attack that was in the planning for days. The troops were bombarded with rifle fire, rifle launched grenades, anti aircraft fire and more. A battle would ensue that lasted some 12 hours in which numerous times this section leader had to crawl out under most severe fire to bring wounded to safety. In the process he took out a machine gun nest and disperse the enemy at another, and directed airfire to take out 30 of the enemy. He would continue to gathered disorganized troops and with the new reinforcements he would lead yet further attacks on the insurgents. Despite several shrapnel wounds he would not rest until his outpost was properly secured and the enemy driven off. By the time it was over, 8 Americans would be dead, 4 from his own platoon, and another 22 lay wounded. But the enemy lost about 100 of the 300 who attacked.
That's when the former US Infantry Staff Sergeant had learned that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor and would be required to attend a formal ceremony at Washington in mid February to receive it. He will be the fouth living recipient to date in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Clinton and about 70 other Americans were stationed at an outpost in the province of Noristan in Eastern Afghanistan back in October 2009. On the 3rd, the troops were awoken to a very heavy enemy surprise attack that was in the planning for days. The troops were bombarded with rifle fire, rifle launched grenades, anti aircraft fire and more. A battle would ensue that lasted some 12 hours in which numerous times this section leader had to crawl out under most severe fire to bring wounded to safety. In the process he took out a machine gun nest and disperse the enemy at another, and directed airfire to take out 30 of the enemy. He would continue to gathered disorganized troops and with the new reinforcements he would lead yet further attacks on the insurgents. Despite several shrapnel wounds he would not rest until his outpost was properly secured and the enemy driven off. By the time it was over, 8 Americans would be dead, 4 from his own platoon, and another 22 lay wounded. But the enemy lost about 100 of the 300 who attacked.
While there is no known connection to Canada in this story, I thought it appropriate to bring you this latest news on the War and another Medal of Honor being awarded. Few of late have not been posthumous awards and so it must be most gratifying to the nation no doubt that another medal... only the 4th in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that has not been a posthumous award.
A full account of the heroism of this latest recipient can be had by reading Tapper's book, pictured here and available on the net, or probably very soon in libraries across North America. There is a lot of information on the web about this hero, and his platoon's battle a few years back. Check it out.
Congratulations Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha. Your nation, your family and friends, and all past and current service men and women will no doubt wish they could be there to salute you, to thank you for your service, and witness the historic event as the President drapes that medal around your neck.
Well done Staff Sergeant.
A full account of the heroism of this latest recipient can be had by reading Tapper's book, pictured here and available on the net, or probably very soon in libraries across North America. There is a lot of information on the web about this hero, and his platoon's battle a few years back. Check it out.
Congratulations Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha. Your nation, your family and friends, and all past and current service men and women will no doubt wish they could be there to salute you, to thank you for your service, and witness the historic event as the President drapes that medal around your neck.
Well done Staff Sergeant.
In November of 2009 the US government announced that in celebration of the 150th year anniversary of the creation of the Medal of Honor, the US Mint would be permitted to mint a special coin for the event.
The coins designed would be available for a limited time the following year and would consist of both silver coins and and gold coins, and in both proof and uncirculated condition. Each would come with a very attractive presentation box and certificate.
A portion of the funds from the sale of these precious keepsakes would be donated to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. It's purpose is to perpetuate the legacy of the medal, promote its ideals of courage, sacrifice, selflessness, service and patriotism to the American Public.
In as much as the Medal of Honor has been awarded to over 700 Non American born, I cannot help but say that these medals also commemorate the services of those foreigner heroes... incuding those from Canada.
I am the proud owner of both a proof and a uncirculated silver coin from this series. They have since gone off market by the US Mint. Those not sold by the mint, were purchased in a one shot deal I believe and DONATED to the above foundation to help finance its activities. Kudos to that purchasor who made this very significant donation to the above Foundation.
Check out the web where these are available and consider buying one. They are gorgeous. Do our recipients an honour by having one with your keepsakes and bring it out often to tell the story of these brave men and one woman.
A portion of the funds from the sale of these precious keepsakes would be donated to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. It's purpose is to perpetuate the legacy of the medal, promote its ideals of courage, sacrifice, selflessness, service and patriotism to the American Public.
In as much as the Medal of Honor has been awarded to over 700 Non American born, I cannot help but say that these medals also commemorate the services of those foreigner heroes... incuding those from Canada.
I am the proud owner of both a proof and a uncirculated silver coin from this series. They have since gone off market by the US Mint. Those not sold by the mint, were purchased in a one shot deal I believe and DONATED to the above foundation to help finance its activities. Kudos to that purchasor who made this very significant donation to the above Foundation.
Check out the web where these are available and consider buying one. They are gorgeous. Do our recipients an honour by having one with your keepsakes and bring it out often to tell the story of these brave men and one woman.
As you hopefully know from reading past blogs, the production of commemorative coins are not the only way folks in the US honour the Medal of Honor recipients. There are no shortage of statute and plaques, buildings and parks and bridges and parks, monumnets and ships and much more that continue to remind the population of how much the current generation owes to those who have gone before us. And so it should be.
While not produced by the US Post, pictured here is a commemorative stamp in honour of US MaJor General Martin T McMahon.
McMahon was one of the very few stories of a private rising to the rank of a general during civil war days. He earned a Medal of Honor for his bravery at a place called White Oak Swamp in 1862. He would later practice law, become a state collector of taxes, serve as a marshall, serve four terms in the US Congress, become a judge and he also found time to serve as the US Minister of State at Paraquay shortly after the Civil War came to an end.
Paraguay and American officials unveiled this stamp and one for the Peace Corps to celebrate their 40th anniversary, since both came to serve in that country.
General McMahon, was a Canadian hero and was born at LaPrairie Quebec, but more on him in a later blog.
McMahon was one of the very few stories of a private rising to the rank of a general during civil war days. He earned a Medal of Honor for his bravery at a place called White Oak Swamp in 1862. He would later practice law, become a state collector of taxes, serve as a marshall, serve four terms in the US Congress, become a judge and he also found time to serve as the US Minister of State at Paraquay shortly after the Civil War came to an end.
Paraguay and American officials unveiled this stamp and one for the Peace Corps to celebrate their 40th anniversary, since both came to serve in that country.
General McMahon, was a Canadian hero and was born at LaPrairie Quebec, but more on him in a later blog.
A couple of updates re this blog. This is my 33rd blog in a row. It has been taking up a considerable amount of my time every day. On rethinking matters I have decided that I will no longer be working 7 days a week to bring these stories forth. Effective this weekend, I will not be doing blogs on weekends. They will appear only Monday to Friday, though all are certainly welcome to visit the site at any time.
Further, the original intent was also to bring forth some stories of Canadian Victoria Cross recipients now and then, but this has not yet happened yet. I hope to start bringing you a VC story each week and 4 MOH stories each week... beginning with tomorrow.
I have also come to learn that, when I post stories at various times of the day, some may be coming to the site before the latest blog is posted, Thus I have thought that I should published a time when the blog ought to be published each day barring unforseen problems.
So to avoid frustrations for the reader I will endeavore to have the blog updated by 4 pm on day, Monday to Friday.
I hope these slight changes will be acceptable to all.
cheers,
Bart
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