All Medals Are Not Alike

Random Thoughts, Uncategorized

I watched Sheldon sitting so proud in the White House when we gave Miriam the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian. It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version.  It’s actually much better because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they are dead. She gets it and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman. And they’re rated equal, but she got the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

~Draft Dodger and Convicted Felon Donald Trump

Al Lipphardt, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) responded to the above quote as follows.

These asinine comments not only diminish the significance of our nation’s highest award for valor, but also crassly characterizes the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives above and beyond the call of duty.

To understand Lipphardt’s outrage, one need only look at three elements associated with each of these awards:  the eligibility criteria, process by which the medal is awarded and the benefits accrued by recipients.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Congressional Medal of Honor (Public Law 88-77)

Recipients must distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity, risking a loss of life above and beyond the call of duty.

The act of valor must occur during one of three circumstances:

    • While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.
    • While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force.
    • While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Presidential Medal of Freedom (Executive Order 11085)

Especially meritorious contribution to:

    • the security or national interests of the United States, 
    • world peace, or
    • cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

PROCESS

Congressional Medal of Honor (U.S. Department of Defense)

Presidential Medal of Freedom (Executive Order 11515)

Bestowed by decision of the president of the United States to any person recommended to the President for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon their own initiative.

BENEFITS

Congressional Medal of Honor (U.S. Department of Defense)

  • A monthly $1,406.73 pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  • A 10-percent increase in retired pay, not to exceed the 75 percent maximum, for enlisted recipients who retire with 20 or more years of Military Service.
  • A special Medal of Honor travel and identification card signed by the Secretary of the Army. This entitles recipients who are not on active duty and not military retirees to utilize space-available military air transportation.
  • Uniform privileges which allow recipients to wear their uniforms at any time or place they choose, unlike other military personnel or retirees.
  • An issued Department of Defense identification card for recipients and their eligible dependents who are not on active duty and military retirees. The card authorizes military commissary, Post Exchange, and theater privileges. All of the services, consistent with Department of Defense policy, authorize use of morale, welfare, and recreation activities, including honorary club membership without dues.
  • Children of Medal of Honor recipients are not subject to quotas if they are qualified and desire to attend the U.S. military academies.
  • Invitations to attend Presidential inaugurations and accompanying festivities. Military recipients and those who are civil servants have traditionally been authorized administrative absence instead of chargeable leave to attend.
  • A special engraved headstone for deceased recipients of the Medal of Honor (provided by VA).
  • Accorded on base billeting commensurate with the prestige associated with the Medal of Honor.

Presidential Medal of Freedom (Tradition)

  • All-expense paid trip to the White House induction ceremony.
  • Unless, if awarded by Donald Trump, one free trip to the Mar-a-Lago omelet bar.

Based on the awardees during his term in office, Donald Trump knows he is lying when he says the Presidential Medal of Freedom is better than the Congressional Medal of Honor.   On September 11, 2020, Trump awarded a well-vetted and deserved Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Thomas Payne.  After his company liberated 38 hostages being held in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, Payne left his secure position and entered the compound multiple times resulting in the release of 37 additional hostage.  In contrast, five days following the January 6, 2011 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Trump presented the Medal of Freedom to Congressman Jim Jordan, whose contribution to a public endeavor was his ability to outrun many of his colleagues during the armed insurrection.

A medal ceremony nine days before leaving the Oval Office suggests Trump considered a second career in TV, this time as the host of a game show.  However, counter to the tradition on shows such as “The Price is Right,”  on Trump’s “It’s Not a Lie If You Believe It,” the host giving the “parting gift” (probably labeled the Your Favorite President’s Medal of Whatever) is a bigger loser than any unsuccessful contestant.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP