Untold Stories: Heroic Medal of Honor Recipients

American leaders have made many mistakes, but one tribute can always be given: the American soldier has always been a hero.

Left to right: Parrott, Gonzalez, and Baker.

There are so many inspiring, beautiful stories about the great heroes of American history which are scarcely ever told. One happens on them accidentally—buried in a thick, out-of-print biography, in small print on a museum sign, casually and fleetingly mentioned in an obscure educational video. America cannot return to greatness in the future if we do not truly understand the greatness of our past. That is why I am writing an article series to tell a few of these little-known but moving or illustrative “untold stories” of American greatness. Previous articles in this series include James Armistead Lafayette, the slave turned Patriot double agent; John Callendar, the coward who became a Patriot hero; the U.S. Army Rangers and six heroes of D-Day; wounded US heroes and Purple Heart recipients; and Tim McCoy, actor, army officer, cowboy, and Indian expert and ally.

Today, March 25, has been National Medal of Honor Day since 1991. It’s a day to honor each one of those heroic military men who “distinguishe[d] himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” in various conflict situations against an enemy of the U.S. or a nation friendly to the U.S. I want to highlight just a few of those today.

As I wrote for PJ Media, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS) explains that this award is our nation’s “highest award for military valor in action.” For more than 150 years, the U.S. has given its outstanding military heroes the Medal of Honor to recognize that freedom isn’t free—it is purchased by the blood and sweat of Americans who risk everything for liberty and justice. “March 25th was chosen because it was on that date in 1863 that the first Medals of Honor were presented to six members of Andrews’ Raiders.”

Civilian scout/spy James J. Andrews planned a raid so that Major General Ormsby M. Mitchel could ensure the Confederates would not be able to move supplies by rail from Atlanta to Chattanooga. Two civilians and 22 Union soldiers took on the daring project. The effort unfortunately failed and the men were captured, eight of them (including Andrews) hanged. The soldiers tried to escape, but some were recaptured. Private Jacob Wilson Parrott was brutally treated by the Confederate traitors, beaten over 100 times as his captors tried to discover the raiders’ intention. Parrott did not cave, and he was rewarded by becoming the first Medal of Honor recipient. Most of the raiders were also eventually awarded the Medal of Honor.

While a large number of America’s Medal of Honor recipients served during the Civil War, there have been hundreds of awardees since. First Lt. Vernon J. Baker and his company were headed toward German stronghold Castle Aghinolfi (Italy) during WWII when he discovered a nearly hidden observation post, and killed the men inside. Baker then identified and took out the enemies in a well-camouflaged machine gun nest. Having killed another German who hurled a grenade, Baker continued exploring.

“[CMOHS] There he blasted open the concealed entrance of another dugout with a hand grenade, shot one German soldier who emerged after the explosion, tossed another grenade into the dugout and entered firing his sub-machine gun, killing two more Germans. As Lieutenant Baker climbed back out of the draw, enemy machine gun and mortar fire began to inflict heavy casualties among the group of 25 soldiers, killing or wounding about two-thirds of them. When expected reinforcements did not arrive, Captain Runyon ordered a withdrawal in two groups. Lieutenant Baker volunteered to cover the withdrawal of the first group, which consisted mostly of walking wounded, and to remain to assist in the evacuation of the more seriously wounded. During the second group's withdrawal, Lieutenant Baker, supported by covering fire from one of his platoon members, destroyed two machine gun positions (previously bypassed during the assault) with hand grenades. In all, Lieutenant Baker accounted for nine enemy dead soldiers, elimination of three machine gun positions, an observation post, and a dugout. On the following night, Lieutenant Baker voluntar[il]y led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective.”

Baker received his Medal of Honor many years later, in 1997. It is never too late to honor our military heroes.

The U.S. soldiers of the Vietnam War rarely receive the recognition they deserve, but one man’s courage was too great to be ignored. Sgt. Alfredo “Freddy” Gonzalez was serving in Vietnam during the Operation Hue City, with his unit trying to relieve pressure on the city. Gonzalez and his fellow Marines were near the village of Lang Van Lrong when heavy fire opened on them.

“[CMOHS] Sgt. Gonzalez aggressively maneuvered the marines in his platoon, and directed their fire until the area was cleared of snipers. Immediately after crossing a river south of Hue, the column was again hit by intense enemy fire. One of the marines on top of a tank was wounded and fell to the ground in an exposed position. With complete disregard for his safety, Sgt. Gonzalez ran through the fire-swept area to the assistance of his injured comrade. He lifted him up and though receiving fragmentation wounds during the rescue, he carried the wounded marine to a covered position for treatment.”

The enemy fire, issuing from a fortified machine-gun bunker, became increasingly accurate and heavy, so the Marines halted. Gonzalez, in site of the enemy fire, managed to move his platoon to a dike that was across from the enemy bunker.

“Though fully aware of the danger involved, he moved to the fire-swept road and destroyed the hostile position with hand grenades. Although seriously wounded again on 3 February, he steadfastly refused medical treatment and continued to supervise his men and lead the attack. On 4 February, the enemy had again pinned the company down, inflicting heavy casualties with automatic-weapons and rocket fire. Sgt. Gonzalez, utilizing a number of light antitank assault weapons, fearlessly moved from position to position firing numerous rounds at the heavily fortified enemy emplacements. He successfully knocked out a rocket position and suppressed much of the enemy fire before falling mortally wounded.”

Gonzalez’s heroics brought honor to himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon commander.”

To the 3,517 Medal of Honor recipients throughout America’s history, and especially the 63 still living, we pay tribute today. Thank you and God bless you for your service.