How far would you be willing to go???

We all want to be decked out in medals-and we all want to have our sore throats cured (hehehehe)-but how far would you be willing to expose yourself to the enemy?
Now this is a tricky topic-Brits, put yourself in the shoes of Brits, Yanks-shoes of Yanks, etc etc...
and use specific examples of the actions you would carry out-and the medal that would subsequently be awarded...

 

hmmm
I would love a medal but i really think if i was REALLY in a battle i would try my best at staying alive and not doing anything rash. I think that's what is normally the case and that these brave deeds are not done for the medals but done in the spur of the moment for something else...whether it be compassion for fellow soldiers, love of friends, extreme anger, or i guess in some cases extreme excitement.

One thing that seemed relatively common to MoH recipients was humility. They always had more respect for their friends and comrades who died than their brave deeds.

[ 20 October 2002, 02:47 AM: Message edited by: Ron ]

 

Ask me again after the next war.

 

If I were an American soldier in WW2, I think I wouldn't have gone out of my way to earn a medal...as it would likely get me killed. But if I were confronted with a situation that required me to do something heroic, I don't think I would have backed down. Although I will never know for sure unless I engage in combat.

 

Being a part of the 7th Airborne Division.

Gliding to the sky towards your target and knowing you will be the first man to fight the enemy.

Jumping out of the glider, you notice that you are at a height of 100 metres. Then you use special bombs to blow up the bunkers, casemates, ...

Trying to defeat 1.200 soldiers with only 78 men.
And it works, on 11 may they surrender.

After the campaign of the low countries, you are being decorated by Hitler himself.

P.S.: I think they got a medal for their attack on the fortress of Eben-Emael.

 

After encircling some enemy divisions and winning an strategic point in any campaign as a general I would be awarded the Knight's Cross. And I of course, be willing to be in the first line of battle, as Alexander the Great used to.

 

Courage does never make up for bad training!

regards

 

I couldnt give an honest answer if I never actually go through battles. No way to tell how one will react untill they actually face things like war. I would hope I would do the correct things in staying alive and helping to destroy the enemy opposition and saving the lives of my comrades.

What medals I could get from doing that are:
AMERICAN: Bronze Star, Silver Star, Army-navy, Marine-Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Medal of Honor. Any combination of these.

GERMAN: (ww2) Ek2, EK1, DKiG, RK, Oaks, Swords, Diamonds. Or most of these.

 

I guess it is the 24-48 hours during which most "new faces " die at the front as they are not familiar how to cover themselves from the enemy. After that the expected time of survival greatly increases, that is the normal front, not like eastern front after autumn 1943 or Stalingrad.

I think things like knowing which "bang" is enemy fire and which own artillery, or when it´s time to hit the ground, seems totally respectable, like seen on films and read in books. Don´t know how long it would take to learn that?

I would not be as foolish to want a medal for any price, but with my luck(?) I probably would have turned into frozen meat in front of Moscow at a tram stop with a smile on my face in Dec 1941. ..still believing in victory...
Probably no medals as well..

 

Well Kai, in case you freeze during a Finnish winter--at least you have 5 "awards" here that we will remember you by.

 

I don't know how I would react. I would want to stay alive but if I had to I would hope I could do something dangerous.

Whats the point of getting medals if you don't survive, besides you do get medals for just being there...

 

A proven fact, those that seek medals and glory get themselves and others killed, and for what, to have your medals given to your next-of-kin!

 

I'm with Steve on this one. If you ever go into battle, guys, stay away from the man who's in it for the glory. He'll get you killed every time. Remember, fools rush in where angels fear to tread. You'll probably find he'll get his MOH or whatever, but posthumously.

The majority of MOH, VC, KC, etc., winners are just out there doing their job the best they can and looking after their mates at the same time. They are just normal blokes, who when presented with an abnormal situation, just get in and do what has to be done.

__________________________

"If a man does his best, what else is there?"
- General George S. Patton (1885-1945)

"Uncommon valor was a common virtue" - Admiral Chester Nimitz, after the capture of Iwo Jima

 

... three times, four times, five...

I'm with you, Steve and Sniper!

 

If I was a soldier in WWII, my temperament and age (32) would make me a very SLOW soldier. Slow and very cautious in the advance, but even slower to retreat.

If you want someone to charge an enemy machine gun head-on, I'd be the last to volunteer! But if you want someone to stand in a foxhole and blaze away at waves of attacking enemy troops until he's overrun, I'm your man.

(Since the enemy can run faster than me, there's no point in running away!)

 

As 'Dutch' Schultz's mother used to say; 'Stay close to the general. They never get killed'.

Dutch was one of the 82nd. Airborne Div. troopers who was featured in the movie 'The Longest Day'.

 

Fortunately, in Panama I found the answer. I would not intentionally get in harm's way but would perform my duties regardless of the situation.

After landing at Henderson AFB, Panama City. We waited for 10 hours until we got word to move out. Our destination was Fort Amador. We convoyed through Panama City taking sniper hits here and there. Outside of the city, we saw a Blackhawk going down. We got orders for two hummers and one duece to leave the convoy and check out the crash site. I was in one of the hummers. The Chopper crashed about 200 yds from the road. There were survivors and I was called out since I had crosstrained from the Air Medical Service. I started to work on the casualties, mostly broken limbs and such. As we started to take them to the vehicles, we started taking small arms fire. I did not notice it too much because I was busy with taking care of the wounded. Once we made it to the ditch alongside the road, I noticed how the firefight was going on. My rifle was inside the hummer, I left it when I ran towards the crash site, and all I had was my Baretta. Not much I could do with that. I took a peek and just saw flashes from the tree line. Our Marine escort were giving it back just as good but we were pinned until 4 apaches showed up. Talk about fire power. They lit up the whole tree line giving us time to load the casualties onto helicopters that came with the apaches.

I can't say that I deserve a medal since I do not think I did anything extraordinary, but at least I can say that I did my job and perform some selfless acts. That is something isn't it?

 

Of course, PzJgr! You did your job properly and that is already something very remarkable! Thanks for sharing that!

Not if it was general Friedrich. He would be at the front all the time, as most of the German generals.

 

As Friedrich said, Thanks for sharing you story PzJgr!

 

I also commend PzJgr on sharing that story with us. You did your job and you should be proud for having done so...