Warbird Information Exchange

Bush gives final approval for Congressional Gold Medal to honor Tuskegee Airmen

April 14, 2006 -- President Bush has signed legislation conferring the Congressional Gold Medal on the Tuskegee Airmen in recognition of their heroism in World War II.
The Tuskegee Airmen join the likes of George Washington, the Wright Brothers, Thomas A. Edison, Bob Hope, Walt Disney, Winston Churchill, Robert F. Kennedy, John Wayne, Joe Louis, Roy Wilkins, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and others in receiving Congress' most distinguished civilian award.

Read the full press release here.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny15_rangel/CBRStatementTuskegeeBillSigned04112006.html

Is this "Congressional" Gold Medal, the same as the Medal of Honor?

Just by the name, does not seem to be.

Somewhere, I read that "Congressional" Medal of Honor is a misnomer.

Anyone?

Saludos,


Tulio

You are right Tulio, it is not the "Congressional Medal of Honor", but rather simply the "Medal of Honor".

I am very confused as to why the Tuskegee Airmen should receive a civilian medal though? If they were to be awarded anything, it should have been the medal of honor, goodness knows they earned it. Just goes to show that Washington still doesn't get it.

Cheers,
Richard

Washington actually does know what's going on.

The MoH has to be awarded to an individual for "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in actual combat against an armed enemy force.".

Hi Randy,
I realize that, but I also remember that whole units were awarded the medal of honor during the civil war. This practise has not been repeated since I believe, but if ever there were a reason to re-instate it, it would be in this instance. I doubt there have ever been a more determined or courageous group of people before or since in the field of modern combat. They deserve a lot more recognition than they get.

Cheers,
Richard

Richard, the rules and criteria for awarding the Medal were revised and awarded medals were reviewed in 1897. Three medals, awarded to Daniel Sickles, Henry Tremain, and Daniel Butterworth (the so-called "Sickles' Circle) forced the review of the process in 1897 .Because these high-ranking individuals had gained medals in questionable ways, and because of other abuses of the Civil War era medal nominations, the process of applying for a Medal of Honor was revised.

The Purge of 1917

Perhaps the single most famous event associated with the Medal of Honor is the Purge of 1917. Originally convened in 1916 by Nelson Miles, himself a MOH awardee, the commission reviewed each of the Army medals awarded. Their report, presented in February, 1917, revoked the medals presented to 911 people including 864 medals awarded to the 27th Maine for re-enlisting and President Lincoln's funeral guard. Six medals awarded to civilians were revoked as well. Included in this group were Mary Walker, the only female awardee, and Buffalo Bill Cody, a scout and technically not a soldier during the Indian Wars.

The precedent was set for group recognition in 2001 by Goerge W. Bush.

During the Second World War a group of Navajo served the front lines relaying coded messages back to rear echelon support groups. These "Code Talkers" were routinely in the line of fire and performed their assigned task with merit -- duty that frequently brought them into jeopardy. It was felt that the heroic action of the "Code Talkers" had been overlooked. Congress approved a special gold medal to be awarded these Navajo Indians who served on the battlefield during World War II. These medals were presented to the living recipients by President George W. Bush on July 26, 2001.

The above info can be found at the Medal of Honor Museum in Chattanooga, TN.

http://ngeorgia.com/tenn/mohm.html

This is a civilian recognition and not the military one that everyone is so familiar with.