3000 Post Giveaway

[BlackHills]

Up for grabs is a 1998 vintage Mountain Hardwear 1st Dimension sleeping bag. Don't let the age fool you, it's been a closet queen almost it's entire life. I bought it new and have used it maybe 10 times. It's rated at 30° but I would honestly put the rating somewhere in the 40-45° range so it would make a great summer bag. The fill is Polarguard 3D and IIRC the weight is around 2.5 lbs. I don't have the stuff sack or storage bag for it. It will be freshly washed before mailing out.

I've always admired Rotte's contests so I'm doing something along those lines. It's open to anyone with more than 10 posts and regardless of country.

The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious award given out by the US military. Since WWII approximately 60 percent of the awards have been posthumous (the overall percent is lower since the Medal of Honor criteria wasn't the same in it's early years).

I have chosen one person who was awarded the Medal of Honor. The member who correctly picks that individual will receive the sleeping bag. You are allowed one guess per day and please post a short synopsis of the events the story behind the individual's award. Good luck everyone....

A picture of the bag taken today.

 

[PB Wilson]

I can't think of anyone offhand who won the medal of honor, but I'd like to comment on the bag. Mountain Hardware is a solid company and Polarguard 3D is great stuff. I have an older Moonstone bag filled with 3D and it's held up over many, many nights in the Adirondacs and other woods around the country.

Very generous Black Hills!

 

[Fubarski]

Great idea for a giveaway.

 

[BOOMSTICK]

*MONTI, JARED C.

Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in connection with combat operations against an enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on June 21st, 2006. While Staff Sergeant Monti was leading a mission aimed at gathering intelligence and directing fire against the enemy, his 16-man patrol was attacked by as many as 50 enemy fighters. On the verge of being overrun, Staff Sergeant Monti quickly directed his men to set up a defensive position behind a rock formation. He then called for indirect fire support, accurately targeting the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still directing fire, Staff Sergeant Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank his patrol. Staff Sergeant Monti then realized that one of his soldiers was lying wounded in the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol's position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Monti twice attempted to move from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of relentless enemy fire to rescue his fallen comrade. Determined not to leave his soldier, Staff Sergeant Monti made a third attempt to cross open terrain through intense enemy fire. On this final attempt, he was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his fellow soldier. Staff Sergeant Monti's selfless acts of heroism inspired his patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Staff Sergeant Monti's immeasurable courage and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and the United States Army.

thank you for remembering our fallen brothers.

 

[vrocco1]

I'm gonna go painfully obvious here (so probably not a winner) and say, Audie Murphy:

Second Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire, which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad that was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued his single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way back to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack, which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

Cool and generous giveaway!!

I'll play.

Navy Comdr. James Stockdale, a fighter pilot shot down in September 1965. For eight years, Stockdale and other American prisoners withstood torture, beatings, malnutrition and neglect in North Vietnamese POW camps known as "The Zoo" and "Hell Hole."

Stockdale was rewarded for his leadership in resisting torture, keeping morale high among the prisoners, and for attempting to commit suicide when he was fearful that one more torture session would make him reveal military secrets. The attempt frightened Stockdale's interrogators into providing better treatment.

 

[cmdionne]

Louis Cukela, born Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, (Croatian: Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, pronounced "luyo chukela"; May 1, 1888 – March 19, 1956) was a United States Marine numbered among the nineteen two-time recipients of the Medal of Honor. Cukela was awarded the Medal by both the US Army and the US Navy for the same action during the Battle of Soissons in World War I. He was also awarded decorations from France, Italy, and Yugoslavia.

 

[skab8541]

I'm going to have to go with PFC Albert Schwab

1st Bat. 5th Marines Regiment

WWII, Okinawa, Jpn 1945

Private First Class Schwab was a flame thrower operator with Headquarters Company. When that company was pinned down in a valley on May 7, by the withering fire of a machine gun coming from a ridge high to the company's front, he scaled the cliff in the face of the devastating fire and attacked the gun with his flame thrower. Quickly demolishing the position and its crew, his company was able to occupy the ridge. Suddenly, a second machine gun opened fire inflicting more casualties on the unit. Although he had not had time to replenish his supply of fuel, PFC Schwab unhesitatingly advanced on the second gun and succeeded in eliminating it before its final burst caught him in the left hip, inflicting fatal wounds

Also a bit more of info, Camp Schwab, Okinawa is named for him. I spent 2.5 years stationed there while in the Corps.

 

[BlackHills]

Good guesses everyone but so far no one has got it.

Also a bit more of info, Camp Schwab, Okinawa is named for him. I spent 2.5 years stationed there while in the Corps.

As an FYI every Marine Camp on Okinawa is named after a Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor on Oki during WWII.

PFC Harold Gonsalves
PFC Albert Schwab
Pvt. Dale Hansen
Pvt. Robert McTureous
Major Henry Courtney
PFC William Foster
Sgt. Elbert Kinser

I didn't realize it when I was there (Camp Hansen, 1987) but I discovered it a few years ago when I was reading a book about Medal of Honor recipients. I noticed that the Camp names matched the recipients names and a bit of research later.....

 

[milani74]

Being an Army guy myself, I wish my answer was different, but..
I got a chance to meet this guy and hear him speak to an audience a few years back. What a remarkable man. And not just for his winning of a MoH. He survived as a POW with honor and under the worst conditions. He also served as a Senator in Washington State. But his attitude and ability to break situations down to their base roots, was what really impressed me. It was an honor to be in the same room as him.

THORSNESS, LEO K.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel (then Maj.), U.S. Air Force, 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Place and date: Over North Vietnam, 19 April 1967. Entered service at: Walnut Grove, Minn. Born: 14 February 1932, Walnut Grove, Minn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As pilot of an F- 105 aircraft, Lt. Col. Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. Lt. Col. Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced a surface-to-air missile site with air-to-ground missiles, and then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile site with bombs. In tile attack on the second missile site, Lt. Col. Thorsness' wingman was shot down by intensive antiaircraft fire, and the 2 crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Lt. Col. Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay their position to the Search and Rescue Center. During this maneuver, a MIG-17 was sighted in the area. Lt. Col. Thorsness immediately initiated an attack and destroyed the MIG. Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was forced to depart the area in search of a tanker. Upon being advised that 2 helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew's position and that there were hostile MlGs in the area posing a serious threat to the helicopters, Lt. Col. Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft defenses to the downed crew's position. As he approached the area, he spotted 4 MIG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MlGs, damaging 1 and driving the others away from the rescue scene. When it became apparent that an aircraft in the area was critically low on fuel and the crew would have to abandon the aircraft unless they could reach a tanker, Lt. Col. Thorsness, although critically short on fuel himself, helped to avert further possible loss of life and a friendly aircraft by recovering at a forward operating base, thus allowing the aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel safely. Lt. Col. Thorsness' extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice, and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.

 

[XMP]

I'll mention one of my favorites:

SFC Randy Shughart, a member of Delta Force, who along with his partner Gary Gordon, voluntarily inserted, during the battle of Mogadishu, to protect and secure the crashed Army Blackhawk Super Six One. Both Shughart and Gordon gave their lives in the rescue attempt. The pilot of the helicopter, CWO Mike Durant, survived due to their sacrifice.

Both Shughart and Gordon were awarded the MOH on May 23, 1994; the first to do so since the Vietnam war.

 

[Ramm9]

Tom Custer...awarded two Medals of Honor during the Civil War.

He died in the battle of the Little Bighorn along with his older brother George Armstrong Custer.


“He was awarded two Medals of Honor for capturing Confederate regimental flags (2nd North Carolina Cavalry flag at Namozine Church on April 3, 1865, and again at Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865). He was one of only four soldiers or sailors to receive the dual honor during the Civil War,”

 

[John G]

I'll take a guess: William "Wild Bill" Donovan, member of the 69 NY Vols, aka The Irish Brigade. MoH recipient in WWI.

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 14–15 October 1918.

Citation: Lt. Col. Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks. When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.

(Bill Donovan went on to found the CIA.)

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

John Basilone

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service

 

[j williams]

Roy P Benavidez

I read his book a few years back. I remember it saying after all was said and done, he was in a body bag with severe injuries. Bowels exposed, 37 puncture wounds, blast trauma from a grenade, slashed in both legs from bayonet, and a broken jaw from being struck with an enemies rifle. The doc came up and said there was nothing he could do, and Mr Benavidez spit blood in the docs face to let him know he was alive.

What a great American. This guys story always gets me.

From CMOHS.org

valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 May 1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by helicopters in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. After a short period of time on the ground, the team met heavy enemy resistance, and requested emergency extraction. Three helicopters attempted extraction, but were unable to land due to intense enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire. Sergeant Benavidez was at the Forward Operating Base in Loc Ninh monitoring the operation by radio when these helicopters returned to off-load wounded crewmembers and to assess aircraft damage. Sergeant Benavidez voluntarily boarded a returning aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that all the team members were either dead or wounded and unable to move to the pickup zone, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing where he jumped from the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under withering small arms fire to the crippled team. Prior to reaching the team's position he was wounded in his right leg, face, and head. Despite these painful injuries, he took charge, repositioning the team members and directing their fire to facilitate the landing of an extraction aircraft, and the loading of wounded and dead team members. He then threw smoke canisters to direct the aircraft to the team's position. Despite his severe wounds and under intense enemy fire, he carried and dragged half of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft. He then provided protective fire by running alongside the aircraft as it moved to pick up the remaining team members. As the enemy's fire intensified, he hurried to recover the body and classified documents on the dead team leader. When he reached the leader's body, Sergeant Benavidez was severely wounded by small arms fire in the abdomen and grenade fragments in his back. At nearly the same moment, the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded, and his helicopter crashed. Although in extremely critical condition due to his multiple wounds, Sergeant Benavidez secured the classified documents and made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the overturned aircraft, and gathered the stunned survivors into a defensive perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he moved around the perimeter distributing water and ammunition to his weary men, reinstilling in them a will to live and fight. Facing a buildup of enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Sergeant Benavidez mustered his strength, began calling in tactical air strikes and directed the fire from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy's fire and so permit another extraction attempt. He was wounded again in his thigh by small arms fire while administering first aid to a wounded team member just before another extraction helicopter was able to land. His indomitable spirit kept him going as he began to ferry his comrades to the craft. On his second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from additional wounds to his head and arms before killing his adversary. He then continued under devastating fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were rushing the craft from an angle that prevented the aircraft door gunner from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been collected or destroyed, and to bring in the remaining wounded. Only then, in extremely serious condition from numerous wounds and loss of blood, did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. Sergeant Benavidez' gallant choice to join voluntarily his comrades who were in critical straits, to expose himself constantly to withering enemy fire, and his refusal to be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the lives of at least eight men. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.

What a great idea for a giveaway. People need to know what these guys did for their fellow men. Thanks BlackHills.

 

[skab8541]

Well since you named off all the others in Okinawa, I will have to with the name given to encompass all Marine Corps Camps on Okinawa:

Smedley Butler, one of 19 people to awarded the Medal of Honoe Twice!

For his actions on April 22,1914 Veracruz Mexico. Butler was awarded his first Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Major Butler was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.


And the Second,

For extraordinary heroism in action as Commanding Officer of detachments from the 5th, 13th, 23d Companies and the Marine and sailor detachment from the U.S.S. Connecticut, Major Butler led the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of Marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Reaching the fort on the southern side where there was a small opening in the wall, Major Butler gave the signal to attack and Marines from the 15th Company poured through the breach, engaged the Cacos in hand-to-hand combat, took the bastion and crushed the Caco resistance. Throughout this perilous action, Major Butler was conspicuous for his bravery and forceful leadership.

 

[BlackHills]

Roy P Benavidez

I read his book a few years back. I remember it saying after all was said and done, he was in a body bag with severe injuries. Bowels exposed, 37 puncture wounds, blast trauma from a grenade, slashed in both legs from bayonet, and a broken jaw from being struck with an enemies rifle. The doc came up and said there was nothing he could do, and Mr Benavidez spit blood in the docs face to let him know he was alive.

What a great American. This guys story always gets me.

Soooo close Jake.....It came down to a coin toss between MSgt Benavidez and the individual I did choose.

 

[MonkeyBomb]

Roy is a great guy all around. Since he wasn't your pick how about Audie Murphy

infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, 1 of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machinegun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from 3 sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective.

 

[BlackHills]

Roy is a great guy all around. Since he wasn't your pick how about Audie Murphy.

You might look at Post #5.

 

[RetiredGuns]

How's about our own Dan Daly? 2 time Medal of Honor winner and a Marine's Marine!

Oh a few words. He was called the most figthenest Marine by Smedley Butler. He was offered twice a commission but remained an enlisted Marine.
Received his first MOH during the Boxer Rebellion and took out 200 singlehandendly.

15 years later he earned his second MOH leading 35 Marines against 400 Haitian insurgents.

..and of course his famous battle cry at Belleau Woods, "Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?"