Memorial Day 2020

Memorial Day Celebration Playlist

I’ve gotten to the point where I no longer feel bad for gently correcting people who want to say “thanks for your service” to me on Memorial Day. I remind them that I feel lucky that I was never really in harm’s way during my service and that I’m glad there are no memorials for me because I didn’t die in combat.

Here are some stories of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Most of these folks lived, but they sure didn’t expect to, from the young marine who jumped on a grenade to save his buddy to the captain who led a bayonet charge up a hill in Korea against the Chinese.

Col. Lewis Millett’s Story
Col. Millett was a Wolfhound. No Fear!
His medal of honor citation:

Capt. Millett, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. While personally leading his company in an attack against a strongly held position he noted that the 1st Platoon was pinned down by small-arms, automatic, and antitank fire. Capt. Millett ordered the 3d Platoon forward, placed himself at the head of the 2 platoons, and, with fixed bayonet, led the assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce charge Capt. Millett bayoneted 2 enemy soldiers and boldly continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting encouragement. Despite vicious opposing fire, the whirlwind hand-to-hand assault carried to the crest of the hill. His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder. During this fierce onslaught Capt. Millett was wounded by grenade fragments but refused evacuation until the objective was taken and firmly secured. The superb leadership, conspicuous courage, and consummate devotion to duty demonstrated by Capt. Millett were directly responsible for the successful accomplishment of a hazardous mission and reflect the highest credit on himself and the heroic traditions of the military service.

The rest of these are about 20 minutes each. You don’t have to watch them all; maybe you’ll watch one.