Comments for Today's Medal of Honor Moment for 16 November

Today's Medal of Honor Moment for 16 November

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:18:44 -0600

There are 11 Medals awarded for actions on this day - pretty much right on the daily average. Eight for three fights during the Civil War, one lifesaving naval Medal in the 1871-1898 era, and two Medals during World War II. It is a good day in that all recipients lived to attend their award ceremony - one of whom had a star-studded ceremony!Civil War. 5 naval Medals to the crew of the USS Lehigh, and three Army Medals for engagements at Lenoire and Campbell Stations, Tennessee. Interesting tidbit about Lehigh - she served in the Spanish American War as...

Comment from Lamigra on 2009-11-16

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:27:33 -0600

"By forced marching, on a rainy November 16"

I took Basic at Fort Campbell (KY, JIC there's another I hadn't heard of), having enlisted on 9 or maybe 10 November 1966. Weather wasn't too bad, but when it rained....Ohhhh Man did I hate Kentucky; esp. Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Abn Div (Git yer leg ass outta the way, heard more than once).

Got sent home for Christmas, half-way thru Basic, back to Ft Campbell, graduated Basic and went to Fort Huachuca (AZ, JIC). Ohhhhh, that was heaven, even with the WWII barracks and early 60's PX. I saw an Arizona 6-inch rainfall while there...that's one drop every 6 inches.

Huh? Wassat? What's to do with MOH? Nuttin' much, guess I'll go away now and watch the news....

Comment from SangerM on 2009-11-16

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:51:27 -0600

Horner and Lindsey: Breathtaking!

Comment from SangerM on 2009-11-16

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:46:46 -0600

I love Navy talk: "with a line bent on a hawser." "with a small rope tied to a big rope."

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-11-16

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:37:53 -0600

Heh. I should have read your question, Tim, instead of just skimming it.

Yes, "brought off his piece" means that he managed to limber up his gun and leave his firing position, which, given the Medal, one assumes was under some serious pressure.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-11-16

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:26:49 -0600

That's my assumption, Tim. Details on many of the Civil War cites are sparse, and the historical records which might help are oft times not accessible via the 'net. It being a gun is a fair assumption given he was a member of the 34th New York Battery. What little there is regarding the battle Campbell's Station is here. Well, okay, I found a little more here.

Comment from Tim on 2009-11-16

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:16:29 -0600

The citation for Sergeant Starkins states that he "Brought off his piece without losing a man". Is this an artillery term?