Valor Tales

American military history is filled with some very interesting characters. From the boisterous and bombastic personality of a Teddy Roosevelt to the quiet dignity of Bill Crawford, American military heroes come in all colors, creeds, and backgrounds. Last week's discussion of some brave medical officers continues. Today, I'll discuss two who have a rightly earned place in American military history. Leonard Wood Many of us have been to Fort Leonard Wood, colloquially known as "Fort Lost-in-the-Woods" for it's, shall we say, ample and scenic forests and little else (though there is some good caves for spelunking). As with many military bases, we don't give much thought to the namesake for such places. At first glance, Leonard Wood, having been a major general and Chief of Staff of the United States Army, would seem a fitting person to name any facility after. Dig a little deeper and you'll see a much more incredible story of a man who truly deserves...

We all know of the valor displayed under fire my many members of the Medical Corps such as Desmond Doss or Edward Byers. This week though, I'd like to highlight the valor of the least admired in the medical profession; dentists. One does not usually think of dentists as being at the forefront of military combat, but this week I'll highlight three that were and showed what a dentist can be made of. Three dentists have received Medals of Honor for valor on the battlefield. When these men ask if you've been flossing, you'd better have been flossing. Alexander Gordon Lyle Our first dental corps Medal of Honor recipient survived his encounter with the enemy. Alexander Gordon Lyle was awarded his Medal for service during World War I, but continued to serve through the Second World War, retiring as a vice admiral after 33 years of service. A native of Gloucester, MA, Lyle attended Baltimore College, graduating in 1912 with a degree in dentistry. He joined...

Jacklyn "Jack" Lucas was the youngest American Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in World War II. He also has the distinction of being perhaps the only person to survive throwing themselves on not one but two grenades. Long after the war he again somehow cheated certain death, so read on for that. Born on Valentine's Day, 1928, Jack grew up in North Carolina and was a cadet at Edwards Military Institute in Salemburg, NC on 7 Dec, 1941. He was cadet captain, captain of the football team, and played several sports. At just 14, in 1942, he went UA from the school, crossed into Virginia and bribed a notary public to attest he was 17, forged his mother's signature, and enlisted at the nearest Marine Corps Recruiting Station. He graduated Parris Island and was made a Marine. He spent the next couple of years trying to get a combat assignment. Eventually he was trained as a heavy machine gunner. Assigned to the 6th Base Depot of the V Amphibious...

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/04/17/should-this-airman-receive-the-medal-of-honor-for-laos-battle-a-congressman-thinks-so/ A congressman from California, Rep. Salud Carbajal (D), has introduced legislation authorizing the president to upgrade Air Force Colonel Philip Conran's Air Force Cross to the Medal of Honor. Let's explore what the colonel did that has garnered the Congressman's attention. Enlisting in the Connecticut Air National Guard in 1953, Conran served as a motor pool dispatcher until receiving a commission through the ROTC program at Fordham University in 1958. Trained as a pilot he received his wings in 1960 and then was trained in flying helicopters. He was serving in Bermuda in 1962 when he was deployed for the Cuban Missile Crisis. In November 1968 he was deployed for a year to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thailand where he flew CH-3 Jolly Green Giants in the 21st Special Operations Squadron. It was here, in the...

On March 23, 2019, another hero of the Vietnam War received his eternal reward when Lieutenant Colonel Howard V Lee, USMC (ret) passed at the age of 85. He leaves behind four children, a sister, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a grateful nation.  While a senior at Pace College, Lee enlisted with the Marine Corps' Platoon Leaders Class. Attending OCS in 1955, he was commissioned as a supply officer. He later transitioned to platoon commander and was in charge of a company of Marines in 1964 that was sent to the Dominican Republic and present for their civil war in 1965.  Lee served his first tour of duty in Vietnam the following year. In command of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines "The Magnificent Bastards", Lee's unit participated in Operations Double Eagle and Hastings. During the subsequent Operation Prairie, which sought to eliminate North Vietnamese Army forces from south of the demilitarized zone.  Already cited for gall...