by The Editors of Boston Publishing Company
The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military
honor. It is awarded by the President of
the United States in the name of the United States Congress to U. S. military
personnel for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
Since its creation in 1861 the Medal of Honor has been
awarded to nearly 3,500 men and 1 woman, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, from the
Civil War to the present. “The Medal of Honor: A History of Service Above and
Beyond” from The Editors of Boston Publishing Company and published by Zenith
Press is a gorgeous book detailing the history of the medal and the persons to
whom it has been bestowed upon. It is a
history told in deeds, of self-sacrifice and acts of valor, for which of the
Medal of Honor has been awarded.
The book has been divided into seven chapters; one for each
period of active conflict involving the United States Military, beginning with
the Civil War and traveling through The Indian Campaigns, the Wars of American
Expansion (Korea and China in 1871 & 1900, Latin America 1898-1933 and the
Philippines and Samoa 1899-1913, and encapsulating the Spanish-American War), World
War I, World War II, and the Cold War (the Wars of Korea and Vietnam). The final Chapter titled “new Enemies, New
Conflicts, covers the Persian Gulf War, The Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.
Each chapter begins with a brief historical overview of its
assigned era and sets the stage for the following stories of unreluctant
heroism in the face of mortal danger, of men reluctant to call themselves
heroes: of such men as Second Lieutenant Edward M. Knox who rushed his cannon
ahead of the Union Lines during the 2nd day of fighting during the Battle of
Gettysburg; Sergeant Benjamin Crisswell who recovered the body of Lieutenant
Hodgson from the banks of The Little Big Horn River; Lieutenant Richmond P.
Hobson who guided the USS Merrimac into Santiago Harbor under heavy Spanish
fire before He and his crew were captured and held as prisoners of war; Marine
Gunnery Sergeant Earnest A. Janson who received two Medals of Honor under two
different names; Major John Jerstad who volunteered for the Ploieşti raid even though he
had flown enough missions to be eligible to return home; Private First Class
Joseph R Ouellette who braved enemy fire to retrieve ammunition; Sergeant
Alfredo Gonzalez, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines who was killed in the
fight to retake Hue; Master-at-Arms Michael A. Monsoor and Pfc. Ross A.
McGinnis who both jumped on grenades to save the lives of their fellow
soldiers; and Lieutenant Michael Murphy who was killed trying to save his
fellow SEALs while fighting in Afghanistan.
These are but a few of the deeds of heroism featured in “The Medal of
Honor.”
The Medal is often awarded posthumously, and those who have
lived to wear it say it is much harder to wear than to earn.
In a final tribute to those who have been awarded the Medal
of Honor, “The Medal of Honor: A History of Service Above and Beyond,” concludes
with a Register of the Recipients of the Medal of Honor from 1861 to June 2014.
The Editors of Boston Publishing Company and Zenith Press
have produced an impressive book. “The Medal of Honor” is contains 70 color and
218 black and white photographs and illustrations. It is a book that they should be justifiably
proud of authoring and publishing.
ISBN 978-0760346242, Zenith Press; New Edition, © 2014,
Hardcover, 11.2 x 9.5 x 1 inches, 304 pages, Maps, Photographs
& Illustrations, Appendix: Register of Recipients, Bibliography, Photo
Credits & Index. $40.00. To purchase this book click HERE.
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