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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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Collection: Roberts, John G.: Files
Folder Title: [Correspondence - Miscellaneous
(10/21/1983-10/24/1983)]
Box: 12
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MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 21, 1983
FOR:
FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS
In
SUBJECT:
Medal of Honor for Josephine Baker
You asked that I obtain the FBI files on Josephine Baker, for
your personal review. I attempted to do so through Jane
Dannenhauer. To our mutual surprise, the Bureau reports that
it has no files on Miss Baker. I find this almost incompre-
hensible, but was reluctant to pursue the matter without
further guidance. I do not think we need to review the files
for the purpose of preparing a response. A draft response
noting the statutory limits on award of the Medal of Honor --
including the fact that the recipient must have been in the
armed forces at the time of the deed, and the fact that the
award must be made within a specified time frame -- is
attached. Preston could write back suggesting another medal
(or a national holiday), but we can cross that bridge if and
when we come to it.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 21, 1983
Dear Mr. Preston:
Thank you for your letter suggesting that the President award
the Medal of Honor posthumously to Josephine Baker. We
apologize for the delay in responding to your letter, which
was just recently referred to our office due to the legal
requirements surrounding awards of the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor may only be awarded to individuals who,
while serving in one of the branches of the armed forces,
distinguished themselves in the extraordinary manner specified
by statute. 10 U.S.C. §§ 3741 (army), 6241 (naval forces),
8741 (air force). A Medal of Honor may not be awarded unless
a statement setting forth the distinguished service and
recommending official recognition was made within two years
after the distinguished service in the case of the army or air
force, and three years in the case of the naval forces.
Generally the award must be made within three years of the
distinguished service (five years in the case of the naval
forces), unless the requisite statement setting forth the
distinguished service and recommending official recognition
was lost or not acted upon through inadvertence. It must also
appear from the records of the pertinent military department
that the member of the armed forces is entitled to the award.
10 U.S.C. §§ 3744, 6248, 8744.
In short, the circumstances under which the Medal of Honor may
be awarded are carefully delimited by statute, and the Presi-
dent is not at liberty to ignore those limits.
Thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Orig. signed by FFF.
Fred F. Fielding
Counsel to the President
Mr. Tom Preston
Executive Administrator
Chiropractic Association of Nevada
1500 E. Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
FFF:JGR:aea 10/21/83
Bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 21, 1983
Dear Mr Preston:
Thank you for your letter suggesting that the President award
the Medal of Honor posthumously to Josephine Baker. We
apologize for the delay in responding to your letter, which
was just recently referred to our office due to the legal
requirements surrounding awards of the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor may only be awarded to individuals who,
while serving in one of the branches of the armed forces,
distinguished themselves in the extraordinary manner specified
by statute. 10 U.S.C. §§ 3741 (army), 6241 (naval forces),
8741 (air force). A Medal of Honor may not be awarded unless
a statement setting forth the distinguished service and
recommending official recognition was made within two years
after the distinguished service in the case of the army or air
force, and three years in the case of the naval forces.
Generally the award must be made within three years of the
distinguished service (five years in the case of the naval
forces), unless the requisite statement setting forth the
distinguished service and recommending official recognition
was lost or not acted upon through inadvertence. It must also
appear from the records of the pertinent military department
that the member of the armed forces is entitled to the award.
10 U.S.C. §§ 3744, 6248, 8744.
In short, the circumstances under which the Medal of Honor may
be awarded are carefully delimited by statute, and the Presi-
dent is not at liberty to ignore those limits.
Thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Fred F. Fielding
Counsel to the President
Mr. Tom Preston
Executive Administrator
Chiropractic Association of Nevada
1500 E. Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
FFF: JGR:aea 10/21/83
Bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
ID # 172231
CU
WHITE HOUSE
MA034
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
0 . - OUTGOING
H INTERNAL
I INCOMING
Date Correspondence
JR- (Pls ank (Pls sulme FBI/DOSTa
Received (YY/MM/DD)
/
Name of Correspondent:
tom Preston
to fils Balan on ms. us.
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject:
Medat Baker of Honor for Josephine
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
Witolland
WS
ORIGINATOR 83/09/17
/ /
Referral Note:
CUAT18
A
83,09,19 WS
/ /
Referral Note:
/ /
/ /
Referral Note:
/ /
/ /
Referral Note:
/ /
/ /
Referral Note:
ACTION CODES:
DISPOSITION CODES:
A Appropriate Action
I - Info Copy Only/No Action Necessary
A - Answered
C. Completed
C Comment/Recommendation
R - . Direct Reply w/Copy
B Non-Special Referral
S Suspended
D Draft Response
S For Signature
F Furnish Fact Sheet
X Interim Reply
to be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
Type of Response = Initials of Signer
Code = "A"
Completion Date = Date of Outgoing
Comments:
Keep this worksheet attached to the original incoming letter.
Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
Always return completed correspondence record to Central Files.
Refer questions about the correspondence tracking system to Central Reference, ext. 2590.
5/81
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 16, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR DIANNA G. HOLLAND
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS Did
SUBJECT:
Medal of Honor
Scheduling walked this in to me a short time ago, asking if
a response from our office would be appropriate in light of
the legal requirements surrounding any award of the Medal of
Honor. We can easily respond, and probably should rather
than have Scheduling discussing the law in this area. I've
looked into it briefly and will be happy to draft the
response, but wanted to send it to you for appropriate
staffing.
Attachment
Scheduling 25-R
Reg Thes to personally award josepheal taker the special THoner
CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION
Fre
OF NEVADA, INC.
FROM THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT
regist
17223/cu
June 21, 1983
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
20500
Dear Mr. President:
For the past many months I have been taxing my brain on how
I could put together an event which would be something so very
special it would be one of those once in a life time projects.
There were many factors which lead to what I believe would be
my own once in a life time event, where I could make my mark
in history.
I am the Executive Administrator of the Nevada Chiropractic
Association. Chiropractic physicians have been discriminated
against since the inception of Chiropractics, mainly because
the M.D.'s were able to muster such powerful types of organ-
izations such as the A.M.A. The Chiropractic and M.D. principles
of health care and schools of thought are miles apart.
For the 1983 session of the Nevada Legislature I was the director
of a lobbyist team which achieved for the first time in the history
of America the elemination of discrimination against chiropractic
physicians, giving them total parity with the M.D.'s and D.O.'s
in the State of Nevada. Knowing what one form of discrimination
was like is what triggered my idea for that once in a life time
event.
During the early days of Las Vegas at the old El Rancho Hotel and
Casino, America's first truly great black super star performed.
This black lady from St. Louis, Missouri went on to become the
toast of the world, the star of such famous shows in France as
the Lido, Folies Bergere, and many, many others. She and Princess
Grace Kelly were the closest of friends. As I am sure you well know.
Miss Josephine Baker was drummed out of America by Mr. Walter
Winchell. She had been labeled a spy. Later, after World War II,
it was proven that Miss Baker was indeed a spy, but for the Allied
forces. She was posthumously awarded by the country of France
their highest honor. Some of the children Miss Baker adopted
from around the world are alive and living in America today.
Page 2, The President, June 21, 1983
Mr. President, here is my proposal:
The Chiropractic Association of Nevada would like to sponsor
a gala event inviting the people of the world who knew Miss
Josephine Baker. At a party in her honor I would like to see
our President personally award posthumously to Josephine Baker
the United States' highest award: The Medal of Honor. This to
the first black female and super star in the world who played
such a key part in saving America and the free world during
World War II. I would hope that you, Mr. President, would be
the one person in history who would want to right a terrible
wrong.
Not only do I find this idea to be politically expedient in these
trying times, but also a sincere and most worthwhile tribute
to a truly great humanitarian and entertainer.
The occasion, sponsored by the Chiropractic Association of Nevada
would be genuinely befitting of the President of the United States.
First class all the way.
Tom Reshn The honor to remain most respectfully yours,
Tom Preston
Executive Administrator
Chiropractic Association of Nevada
1500 E. Sahra Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
(702) 737-1771
Home: 4614 San Circle
Las Vegas, Nevada 89120
(702) 456-6196
United States. Senate. Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. Committee Print
No. 3, 96th. Congress, 1st session.
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS, 1863-1978
February 14, 1979.
PREFACE
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS 1863-1978
The Medal of Honor takes its place in our country's heritage as the
highest award for military valor. This honor awarded by the President in
the name of the Congress may only be accorded an individual who
"distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty."
The history of this medal, the deeds for which it has been awarded, and
the men who have earned it are of great interest to the Nation these men
have served. While war is ugly and tragic, there is no question that many
individuals display outstanding courage and valor and willingness to
make sacrifice when called to battle. The most supreme acts of heroism
are recognized by the Medal of Honor.
Since the formation of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
there has been considerable interest in the Medal of Honor and the people
to whom it has been awarded. This publication, prepared by the Commit-
tee on Veterans' Affairs, records the names and deeds of the outstanding
and brave individuals who have been recognized for their acts of
heroism. This revision adds the names and other appropriate information
concerning individuals who have received the Medal since 1863 and is
complete through 1976. The content of this book has been revised and
brought up to date from earlier additions.
This document includes all recipients in all branches of the service-
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The term
"recipients" covers those awardees of the Medal of Honor who are now
recognized as lawful holders of the Medal by order of the President. It
does not include the 910 names that were stricken from the Medal of
Honor Roll by the Army Medal of Honor Board on February 15, 1917,
under authority of section 122 of the Army Reorganization Act of June 3,
1916. The Board ruled that these 910 individuals had not performed acts
of sufficient merit to earn the award.
A number of people have assisted in the preparation of this document.
The committee wishes to express its thanks to: Sister Maria Veronica,
IHM, Medal of Honor archivist, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge,
Pa.; the members of the Medal of Honor History Roundtable and, in
particular, Gerard F. White, national director, and Rudolph J. Frederick,
editor-in-chief, both of the Medal of Honor History Roundtable; and
GySgt. James McGinn and GySgt. David Kennedy, both of the
ODASD(A) OSD(C), White House Correspondents.
(V)
VI
Our Nation is founded upon the proud heritage of individual hero-
ism, large and small, public and private. This publication records the
names and deeds of those who have continued this tradition in military
service, and who for their gallantry and courage have earned the
highest military accolade: the Medal of Honor.
ALAN CRANSTON,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
United States Senate.
PART I.-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
THE MEDAL OF HONOR
The Medal of Honor is the highest military award for bravery that
can be given to any individual in the United States of America- Con-
ceived in the early 1860's and first presented in 1863, the medal has a
colorful and inspiring history which has culminated in the standards
applied today for awarding this respected honor.
In their provisions for judging whether a man is entitled to the
Medal of Honor, each of the armed services has set up regulations
which permit no margin. of doubt or error The deed of the person
must be proved by incontestable evidence of at least two eyewitnesses;
it must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his gallantry
beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery, it must involve
the risk of his life: and it must be the type of deed which, if he had not
done it, would not subject him to any justified criticism.
A recommendation for the Army or Air Force Medal must be made
within 2 years from the date: of the deed upon which it depends.
Award of the medal must be made within 3 years after the date of the
deed. The recommendation for a Navy Medal of Honor must be made
within years and awarded within 5 years
Apart from the great honor which it conveys, there are certain small
privileges which accompany the Medal of Honor. Its recipients can,
under certain conditions, obtain free air transportation on military air-
craft within the continental United States on a "space available" basis.
A veteran who has been awarded the medal for combat in any war is
eligible for a special pension of $200 per month, starting from the date
he applies for the pension.
The Medal of Honor is presented to its recipients by a high official
"in the name of the Congress of the United States. For this reason it
is sometimes called the Congressional Medal of Honors
As a general rule, the Medal of Honor may be awarded for a deed
of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty
only while the person is a member of the Armed Forces of the United
States in action against an enemy of the United States, or while en-
gaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign
force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed
conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is
not a belligerent party. However, until passage of Public Law 88-77,
the Navy could and did award Medals of Honor for bravery in the line
of the naval profession. Such awards recognized bravery in saving life,
and deeds of valor performed in submarine rescues, boiler explosions,
turret fires, and other types of disaster unique to the naval profession.
1
Congress has often voted special medals for important victories and
other contributions to the Nation, the first having been awarded to
General Washington for his success at Boston in 1776. These are truly
Congressional medals to honor individuals and events. By Congres-
sional action, and signed by the President, the Medal of Honor was
awarded to the following Unknown Soldiers: Britain and France, on
March 4, 1921; United States-World. War I, on August 24, 1921;
Italy, on October 12, 1921; Belgium, on December 1, 1922; and Ru-
mania, on June 6, 1923. On two occasions the Army Medal of Honor
has been awarded by separate acts of Congress-the first being the act
of December 1927 honoring Captain Charles A. Lindbergh; the second
being the act of 21 March 1935 honoring Major General Adolphus W.
Greely. In each case, the medal presented was the Army Medal of
Honor in use at the time, not a special medal struck for the purpose
expressed in each act of Congress. In addition, five members of the
Navy-Machinist Floyd Bennett, Commander Richard E. Byrd, Jr.,
Boatswain's Mate George R. Cholister, Ensign Henry C. Drexler, and
Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson, each received the Navy Medal of
Honor by acts of Congress. By Congressional approval the Medal of
Honor was also awarded to the American Unknown Soldier of World
War II, on March 9, 1948; and to the American Unknown Soldier of
the Korean conflict on August 31, 1957. In peace or war, this medal is
the highest decoration which can be given in any of the Armed
Forces-Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.
"IN THE NAME OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES"
The Medal of Honor was not the idea of any one American. Like
most of the ideas which have flowered into institutions and practices in
our Nation, it was the result of group thought and action and evolved
in response to a need of the times.
In the winter of 1861-62, following the beginning of hostilities in the
Civil War, there was much thought in Washington concerning the
necessity for recognizing the deeds of the American soldiers, sailors,
and marines who were distinguishing themselves in the fighting.
The American Nation, which had given little thought to its Armed
Forces during times of peace, now found them to be the focal point of
attention. The serviceman, unpublicized and isolated during the
preceding years, many of which were spent guarding the national fron-
tiers against Indian raids and the coastline against smugglers, now
became a great looming figure in the fight to preserve the Union.
Overnight, he ceased to be a man plying some remote and mysterious
trade out on the plains of Kansas or North Dakota, or on some ship at
sea. He was the boy next door, or indeed the son of the household,
sent out to fight for a cause that, in a very real sense, lay close to
home.
His contribution was not just in fighting, but in fighting gallantly,
sometimes displaying a sheer heroism which, when looked upon by the
Nation in whose name it was called forth, quite naturally caused that
Nation to seek some means of rewarding him.
2
But the thought did not stop there. For the first time since the
Revolution, Americans realized not only what important citizens its
soldiers, sailors, and marines were, but how important they had always
been. They realized that the far-off lonely trooper, walking his post on
the frontier, or the equally lonely sailor or marine standing watch from
the bridge of his ship at sea along the coast, during the years of
"peace," had been doing the same essential work as that of the soldier,
sailor, or marine of the Civil War-protecting the Nation. And they
realized that in doing this work they had very often displayed a little-
known and unrecognized heroism which, by its nature, rendered them
capable of being killed in action in their posts of duty, just as they
could have been during the winter of 1861-62.
In looking back for a precedent for honoring our servicemen, Amer-
icans could note the "Certificate of Merit," which had been authorized
for soldiers in 1847. Originally this award did not provide a medal, but
rather a certificate signed by the President. Later, in 1905, a medal
and ribbon bar for wear on the uniform were authorized. Congress also
passed a provision that holders of the certificate who were still in the
service should have extra pay of $2 per month. But money alone could
not honor the servicemen for his deed.
There also had been a method of honoring officers by means of the
"brevet" system of promotions, whereby an officer mentioned for gal-
lantry in dispatches could be granted a "brevet rank" higher than that
of his actual rank, and be entitled to wear the insignia which went with
the brevet. But this system had fallen victim to a series of political
abuses, and by 1861 much of its honor had grown meaningless.
The best precedent for honoring servicemen-and the only
precedent in our Nation's history which had involved the award of
decorations-went back to 1782. On August 7 of that year, in New-
burg, N.Y., George Washington had created the Purple Heart as a
decoration for "singular meritorious action." Three men had received
the award in 1783. The records show no others.
The philosophy behind the Purple Heart had been that since his
honor is something which no true soldier, sailor or marine likes to talk
about, those who sought to honor him should give him a token of that
honor which he could wear without words.
A similar philosophy and purpose characterized the American peo-
ple and the Congress of the United States in 1861. Senator James W.
Grimes, of Iowa, took the lead as chairman of the Senate Naval Com-
mittee. He introduced a bill to create a Navy medal. It was passed by
both Houses of Congress and approved by President Abraham Lincoln
on December 21, 1861. It established a Medal of Honor for enlisted
men of the Navy and Marine Corps-the first decoration formally
authorized by the American Government to be worn as a badge of
honor.
Action on the Army medal was started 2 months later, when, on
February 17, 1862, Senator Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, in-
troduced a Senate resolution providing for presentation of "medals of
honor" to enlisted men of the Army and Voluntary Forces who "shall
most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other sol-
dierlike qualities."
3
President Lincoln's approval made the resolution law on July 12,
1862. It was amended by an act approved on March 3, 1863, which
extended its provision to include officers as well as enlisted men, and
made the provisions retroactive to the beginning of the Civil War.
This legislation was to stand as the basis upon which the Army
Medal of Honor could be awarded until July 9, 1918, when it was su-
perseded by a completely revised statute.
As soon as the Navy Medal of Honor had been authorized, Secretary
of the Navy Gideon Welles wrote to James Pollock, Director of the
U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, asking for his assistance in obtaining a
design for the medal. Pollock had submitted five designs to the Navy
by the time the Army bill had been introduced in the Senate. When he
heard that a similar medal was being considered for the Army, Pollock
wrote to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, enclosing one of the
designs prepared for the Navy, and pointing out that it would be ap-
propriate for use by the Army as well. Two more designs were sub-
mitted to the Navy on May 6, 1862, and on May 9, the Navy approved
one of them.
In bas-relief, on the star, the Union held a shield in her right hand
against an attacker, who crouched to the left, holding forked-tongued
serpents which struck at the shield. In the left hand of the Union was
held the fasces, the ancient Roman symbol of unified authority, an ax
bound in staves of wood-still a common symbol on many of our 10-
cent pieces. The 34 stars which encircle these figures represent the
number of States at the time the medal was designed. The reverse of
the medal bore a blank for the name of the awardee and the date and
place of his deed.
On November 17, 1862, the War Department contracted with the
firm of William Wilson & Son, Philadelphia, where the Navy medals
were being made, for 2,000 of the same type of medals for the Army.
The only difference between the Army medal and that of the Navy was
that the Army medal, instead of being attached to its ribbon by an
anchor, was attached by means of the American Eagle symbol, stand-
ing on crossed cannon and cannon balls.
And now the Navy and the Army had a Medal of Honor. Heroic
deeds would entitle their authors to the decoration. On March 25,
1863, the first Army medals were awarded "in the name of the Con-
gress of the United States." A few days later, on April 3, 1863, the
first Navy medals were awarded sailors and marines.
PROTECTING THE MEDAL
There were some sincere men who believed that the idea of a Medal
of Honor would not prove popular with Americans. By the end of the
Civil War, and in succeeding years, this view was definitely proved to
be incorrect. If anything, the medal was too popular, and the glory
which it conferred upon its recipients had the effect of inspiring the
human emotion of envy in many breasts. A flood of imitations sprang
up following the Civil War, and had the effect of causing Congress,
eventually, to take steps to protect the dignity of the original medal.
4
The abuses and confusion as to who earned and who did not earn
the Medal of Honor were stated as early as 1869, when M. H. Beau-
mont, publisher of a magazine named The Soldier's Friend, wrote from
New York to the War Department, indicating that he had been re-
peatedly requested to publish the names of all Medal of Honor
recipients.
"There are some who are using medals for the purpose of soliciting
charity," he wrote, "who obtained them surreptitiously."
Adjutant General Townsend agreed that the publication of a list
would be a good idea. He pointed out that some of the awardees had
never applied for their medals, and that publication might help lead to
their delivery. A list was sent to Beaumont on September 29, 1869,
and published in The Soldier's Friend shortly afterward.
The number of abuses rose-with increased applications by ex-sol-
diers, who, following the Civil War, began to present claims for the
Medal of Honor without any sound documentation, and after passage
of an inordinate amount of time from the dates upon which they al-
leged to have been earned. These events led to the creation of boards
of review, not only of individual acts, but of the whole policy involved
in the award to the Medal of Honor.
Public interest in the history of the medal was quickened. Four edi-
tions of a book edited by Brig. Gen. Theophilus F. Rodenbaugh, him-
self a medal recipient, were published in rapid succession. These were
entitled "Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor Men" (1886), "The Bravest
Five Hundred of '61" (1891), "Fighting for Honor" (1893), and
"Sabre and Bayonet" (1897).
President Harry S. Truman, in 1946, ordered the Navy and the
Army to publish information on the Medal of Honor recipients in their
respective services. In July 1948, the United States Army published the
information in a book entitled "The Medal of Honor of the United
States Army." In 1949, the Navy published a book entitled "Medal of
Honor, the Navy." In compiling this report, the committee is indebted
to both of these publications and has used a great deal of material
from each.
Interest in perpetuating the ideals of the medal was mounting on the
part of medal recipients themselves. On April 23, 1890, the Medal of
Honor Legion was organized at Washington as a local society. It was
made a national organization during the grand encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic in Boston, on August 14, 1890, and was
incorporated by Act of Congress on August 4, 1955. Today it is known
as the Legion of Valor of the United States of America. The objectives
of the Legion of Valor are-
To promote true fellowship among our members;
To advance the best interests of members of the Armed Forces
of the United States and to enhance their prestige and understand-
ing by example and personal activity;
To extend all possible relief to needy members, their widows,
and children; and
To stimulate patriotism in the minds of our youth and to en-
gender a national pride and interest in the Armed Forces of the
United States.
5
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States, was
chartered by the 85th Congress under a legislative act signed into law
by President Eisenhower on August 14, 1958. The purposes of the
society are-
"To form a bond of friendship and comradeship among all hol-
ders of the Medal of Honor.
"To protect, uphold, and preserve the dignity and honor of the
medal at all times and on all occasions.
"To protect the name of the medal, and individual holders of
the medal from exploitation.
"To provide appropriate aid to all persons to whom the medal
has been awarded, their widows or their children.
"To serve our country in peace as we did in war.
"To inspire and stimulate our youth to become worthy citizens
of our country.
"To foster and perpetuate Americanism.
"The Society will not participate in local or national politics,
nor will the Society lend its support for the purpose of obtaining
special legislative considerations.'
On June 26, 1897, the Secretary of War, R. A. Alger, announced
that paragraph 177 of the Army regulations was revised, at the
direction of President William McKinley, and that new regulations
would henceforth define the award of the Medal of Honor.
The resulting regulations gave the War Department an authoritative
and comprehensive system for dealing with award of the medal. Later,
an act of Congress, approved on April 24, 1904, made it mandatory
that all claims for the medal should be accompanied by official docu-
ments describing the deed involved.
At about the same time, the design of the Army Medal of Honor
was changed. Initially, the Army and Navy Medal of Honor were the
same design, except that the Navy medal was attached to its ribbon by
an anchor while the Army medal was attached to its ribbon by means
of the American Eagle, standing on crossed cannon and cannon balls.
Late in 1903, Brig. Gen. Horace Porter had several designs prepared
by Messrs. Arthur, Bertrand & Berenger, of Paris, and sent them to
the Adjutant General, recommending that one of them should be ap-
proved by the Medal of Honor Legion, which, at that time, was headed
by Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles. Following approval of this organiza-
tion, the Secretary of War approved the new design and a rosette, fix-
ing his signature to the plan on January 28, 1904.
Just 2 weeks earlier, Representative Cordell Hull, of Tennessee, had
introduced the act of 1904, providing for the changes in issuance of
the medal. It was approved on April 23, 1904, and it authorized "three
thousand medals of honor prepared
upon a new design."
It remained only to protect the new design from abuse. Early in
1904, a patent was applied for, and on November 22, 1904, Gen. G.
L. Gillespie was awarded Patent Serial No. 197,369, covering the new
Medal of Honor, specified as U.S. Patent Office Design No. 37,236.
The final step for protection of the new design was taken on
December 19, 1904, when General Gillespie transferred the Medal of
Honor patent "to W. H. Taft and his successor or successors as Secre-
tary of War of the United States of America."
6
The medal as officially described is made of silver, heavily elec-
troplated in gold. The chief feature of the old medal, the five-pointed
star, has been retained, and in its center appears the head of the hero-
ic Minerva, the highest symbol of wisdom and righteous war. Sur-
rounding this central feature in circular form are the words "United
States of America" representing nationality. An open laurel wreath,
enameled in green, encircles the star, and the oak leaves at the bases
of the prongs of the star are likewise enameled in green to give them
prominence.
The medal is suspended by a blue silk ribbon, spangled with 13
white stars representing the original States, and this ribbon is attached
to an eagle supported upon a horizontal bar. Upon the bar, which is
attached to two points of the star, appears the word "Valor," indica-
tive of the distinguished service represented by the medal.
The reverse of the medal is plain so that the name of the recipient
may be engraved thereon. On the reverse of the bar are stamped the
words "The Congress To."
The patent which had been taken out for protection of the design of
the medal expired on November 21, 1918. When this situation was
referred to the Judge Advocate General of the Army for an opinion,
he stated that this method of protecting the design should be replaced
by legislative action forbidding imitations on the part of Congress. A
bill for this purpose was recommended by the War Department, passed
Congress, and was approved by the President on February 24, 1923.
Imitation of the design of the medal was now forbidden by law.
THE "PYRAMID OF HONOR"
The Medal of Honor, which had begun as an idea in the minds of a
few people back in 1861, had become a reality occupying the attention
and energies of many Americans by 1904. Not all of the extraordinary
examples of courage or of service were of the type which would
deserve the Medal of Honor. At the same time, all of them deserved
recognition, and each degree of valor or service could be looked upon
as a step in the direction of that extraordinary service of heroism
above and beyond the call of duty which is rewarded, once it has been
proved, by the award of the Medal of Honor.
The problem of recognition of these lesser deeds was solved by the
creation of a system of decorations arranged in an ascending order,
with the lowest awards being the most widely distributed-and the
Medal of Honor as the final, supreme award, its distribution limited
strictly to the handful of those meeting the most severe tests of hero-
ism. Thus, between the medals most widely distributed-and the Medal
of Honor, held by only a few, there came all the other awards of
Americans in uniform-arranged as a "pyramid of honor," with the
Medal of Honor being the highest point, at the very top.
The legislation of 1904 gave the medal the maximum protection it
had yet achieved. Now thought began to turn to the matter of presen-
tation of the medal as a means through which it could be further dig-
nified.
7
There had been a few scattered instances in which the medal was
presented by the President or other high official. The six survivors of
the Mitchell Raid through Georgia were awarded the first Army
Medals of Honor on March 25, 1863, by Secretary of War Stanton.
After presentation of the medals in his office, Secretary Stanton then
took the six to the White House for a visit with President Lincoln. A
few days later, on April 3, 1863, the first Navy Medals of Honor were
awarded to a number of sailors taking part in the attacks on Forts
Jackson, Fisher, and St. Philip, on April 24, 1862.
When Ulysses S. Grant became President, he presented the medal in
the White House on two separate occasions. While in some cases sol-
diers and sailors of the Civil War had been given their medals at mili-
tary formations and mentioned in the orders of the day, there is only
one occasion recorded in which this custom was continued after the
Civil War.
In some cases, the medals had been sent to awardees by registered
mail. And, unfortunately, in some cases these medals had been
returned to the War and Navy Departments because the recipients
who had earned them had been discharged and their whereabouts were
unknown.
On December 9, 1904, Maj. William E. Birkhimer, who had been a
brigadier general of volunteers during the Spanish-American War and
who was himself a medal recipient, suggested to the Military Secretary
in Washington that "every possible attention should be paid to formali-
ty and solemnity of circumstance" whenever the medal was given to its
recipients. His suggestion was passed up through channels to the Chief
of Staff, and after extensive exchanges of correspondence, President
Theodore Roosevelt, on September 20, 1905, signed an Executive
order directing that ceremonies of award "will always be made with
formal and impressive ceremonial," and that the recipient "will, when
practicable, be ordered to Washington, D. C., and the presentation will
be made by the President, as Commander in Chief, or by such
representative as the President may designate." If it should be imprac-
ticable for the awardee to come to Washington, the order provided,
the Chief of Staff would prescribe the time and place of the ceremony
in each case.
The first White House presentation of the medal under the terms of
this order was made by President Roosevelt on January 10, 1906.
On April 27, 1916, Congress approved an act which provided for
the creation of a "Medal of Honor Roll," upon which honorably
discharged medal recipients who earned the medal in combat and who
had attained the age of 65 years were to be recorded, with each en-
rolled person to receive a special pension of $10 per month for life.
The primary purpose of this act was to give medal recipients the same
special recognition shown to holders of similar British and French
decorations for valor. Limiting the award to the nominal sum of $10
monthly emphasized that it was not given as a pension, but to provide
a small amount for personal comforts in the advanced years of life, at
a time when needs are generally not very acute, especially in cases in
which the veteran is in receipt of pension benefits. The amount was
not made larger both because it was contrary to the policy of Congress
to recognize distinguished service by pensions, and because to combine
8
an award for conspicuous gallantry with a pension would diminish the
honor attached to the award of the medal.
The passage of this act marked the successful culmination of a 26-
year effort by the Medal of Honor Legion-the organization of medal
recipients which was formed back in 1890-to obtain, in the words of
one of its first documents, "such legislation from Congress as will tend
to give the Medal of Honor the same position among the military or-
ders of the world which similar medals occupy." Bills aimed at this
type of legislation had been introduced into Congress recurrently fol-
lowing the organization of the Medal of Honor Legion-none of them
meeting with success.
The successful bill was introduced by Representative Isaac R. Sher-
wood, of New York, who was a Civil War veteran, breveted brigadier
general by Lincoln. He had fought in 43 battles, being under fire 123
days, and had been complimented in special orders for gallantry in ac-
tion six times. He had led a full-dress congressional discussion of the
Medal of Honor question on the floor of the House on July 6, 1914.
The Medal of Honor Roll, established by an Act of Congress, 27
April 1916, provided that upon attaining age 65 each recipient of the
Medal of Honor who was honorably discharged from the service by
muster-out, resignation, or otherwise, would have his name entered on
the Roll and be eligible for a special pension of $10 per month for life.
The Act was amended 14 August 1961 to increase the amount of pen-
sion to $100 per month, decrease the age to 50 and remove the
requirement of separation from the service. It was further amended 13
October 1964 to decrease the age to 40, and on 31 October 1965 to
delete the age of the awardee as a requirement and, most recently, on
18 October 1978, to raise the amount of the special pension to $200
per month. In addition the act provided for enrollment "upon written
application being made to the Secretary of the proper depart-
ment"-War or Navy-"and subject to the conditions and require-
ments hereinafter contained," of "the name of each surviving person
who has served in the military or naval service of the United States in
any war, who has attained or shall attain the age of 65 years *." It
then laid down the condition that the applicant's Medal of Honor
should have been earned by action involving actual conflict with an
enemy, distinguished by conspicuous gallantry or intrepidity, at the risk
of life, above and beyond the call of duty.
The act specified that the Secretary of War or of the Navy would be
responsible to decide whether each applicant would be entitled to the
benefits of the act.
If the official award as originally made appeared to the War Depart-
ment to conform to the criteria established by the statute, this auto-
matically entitled the applicant to the pension without further in-
vestigation. If, on the other hand, a doubt arose as to whether or not
the applicant was entitled to entry on the roll, then, to quote the act
further, "all official correspondence, orders, reports, recommenda-
tions, requests, and other evidence now on file in any public office or
department shall be considered."
What was to be done if, after the consideration of these documents,
the War Department felt that the applicant was ineligible was defined
on June 3, 1916, in section 122 of the Army reorganization bill. This
9
act provided for appointment by the Secretary of War of a board of
five retired general officers for the purpose of "investigating and re-
porting upon past awards or issue of the so-called congressional medal
of honor by or through the War Department; this with a view to ascer-
tain what medals of honor, if any, have been awarded or issued for any
cause other than distinguished conduct * * involving actual conflict
with an enemy
"And in any case," this act continued, "in which said board shall
find and report that said medal was issued for any cause other than
that hereinbefore specified, the name of the recipient of the medal so
issued shall be stricken permanently from the official Medal of Honor
list. It shall be a misdemeanor for him to wear or publicly display such
medal, and, if he shall still be in the Army, he shall be required to
return said medal to the War Department for cancellation."
By October 16, 1916, the Board created by this act had met,
gathered all Medal of Honor records, prepared statistics, classified
cases and organized evidence which might be needed in its delibera-
tions. Between October 16, 1916, and January 17, 1917, all of the
2,625 Medals of Honor which had been awarded up to that time were
considered by the Board, and on February 15, 1917, 910 names were
stricken from the list.
Of these 910 names, 864 were involved in one group-a case in
which the medal had been given to members of a single regiment. The
regiment's (27th Maine Volunteer Infantry) enlistment was to have ex-
pired in June of 1863. As an inducement to keep the regiment on ac-
tive duty during a critical period, President Lincoln authorized Medals
of Honor for any of its members who volunteered for another tour of
duty. The 309 men who volunteered for extended duty, in the face of
more action and possible death, certainly were demonstrating
"soldierlike" qualities, and as such were entitled to the Medal under
one proviso of the original law. But their act in no way measured up to
the 1916 standards. A clerical error compounded the abuse. Not only
did the 309 volunteers receive the medal, but the balance of the regi-
ment, which had gone home in spite of the President's offer, was
awarded it also. In this group case as well as in the remaining 46 scat-
tered cases, the Board felt that the medal had not been properly
awarded for distinguished services, by the definition of the act of June
3, 1916. Among the 46 others who lost their medal was William F.
Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill.
In its final report, the Board indicated that in the large majority of
cases' "the medals have been awarded for distinguished conduct in ac-
tion, measuring that term by the highest standard, and there can be no
question as to the propriety of the award."
In some cases, the Board reported, the rewards the men received
were "greater than would now be given for the same acts," but in the
absence of evidence to the contrary, "and because there has been no
high judicial interpretation of the Medal of Honor laws" the Board
found that there were "but few instances where the medal has not
been awarded for distinguished services."
The 910 cases which did not pass the Board's investigation were
turned over to the War Department, and against each of the names in-
volved was stamped the inscription, "Stricken from the list February
15, 1917, Adverse Action Medal of Honor Board-A. G. 2411162."
10
There have been no instances of cancellation of Medal of Honor
awards within the naval service.
This Board had few legal definitions to guide it in its work. It had to
work with a quantity of regulations and precedents in making its deci-
sions, and this mass of information was uncoordinated and even, in
some cases, conflicting. For example, the act of April 27, 1916, pro-
vided for a "Medal of Honor Roll" for those who met the definition of
valor above and beyond the call of duty; whereas the original act
creating the Medal on July 12, 1862, specified only gallantry in action
and "other soldierlike qualities" as the basis for award.
In 1918, Congress decided to clear away any inconsistencies of the
legislation which had grown around the Army medal and make a set of
perfectly clear rules for its award. On July 9, 1918, an act was ap-
proved which stated as follows:
****
the provisions of existing law relating to the award of Medals
of Honor
*
*
* are amended so that the President is authorized to
present, in the name of the Congress a Medal o Honor only to each
person who, while an officer or enlisted man of the Army shall
hereafter, in action involving actual conflict with an enemy distinguish?
himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty.
At one stroke, by use of the word "hereafter," this legislation wiped
out of existence the War Department's problem of acting on numerous
ancient and complicated claims for medals originating as far back as
the -Civil War. At the same time, it clearly defined the type of deed
which could earn a medal.
But these were not the only provisions of this 1918 act. It directed
that enlisted men who were medal recipients should receive $2 per
month extra in their military pay. This matter of an extra $2 per
month was intertwined with the Certificate of Merit. The 1918 legisla-
tion abolished the Certificate of Merit and replaced it by a new
medal-the Distinguished Service Medal-still retaining the extra pay
feature.
The Distinguished Service Cross was brought into existence to more
fully single out and honor combat gallantry. The committee on Milita-
ry Affairs, which had prepared the bill, stated that, "It is believed that
if a secondary medal
*
had been authorized in the past, the award
of the
* # * Medal of Honor would have been much more jealously
guarded than it was for many years. And it is certain that the establish-
ment of such a secondary medal now will go far toward removing the
temptation to laxity with regard to future awards of the greater
medal."
However, it would have been illogical to have a "secondary" medal
which carried the old Certificate of Merit provision of $2 extra pay per
month, while the "greater medal"-the Medal of Honor-had no such
provision attached to it. Therefore, the extra pay feature was added to
the award of the Medal of Honor.
But possibly the most important and far-reaching effect of this 1918
legislation was the fact that for the first time in American history it
was established by law that there were degrees of service to the
country, each worthy of recognition, but only one of which could be
accorded supreme recogn In addition to the Distinguished Service
11
Cross, the 1918 act also created the Army Distinguished Service
Medal and the Army Silver Star Citation, each of them lower in
precedence. The Silver Star became a formal decoration, with its own
distinctive ribbon, in 1932.
This legislation also made it clear that recommendations for such
Army awards had to be made within 2 years after the act involved, and
laid down the time limit of 3 years as that in which the medals in-
volved could be issued, following the date of the act meriting their
award. It provided that not more than one medal should be issued to
any one person, but that for each succeeding act justifying the award a
suitable bar or other device could be awarded by the President. The
President was authorized to delegate award of all four medals with
which this 1918 act was concerned-the Medal of Honor, Distin-
guished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, and Silver
Star-to commanding generals of armies or higher units in the field.
The act of July 9, 1918, was the genesis of what has been called the
"Pyramid of Honor," a hierarchy of military decorations awarded for
combat valor and meritorious service at the top of which is placed the
Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is restricted to the few who
qualify by the most rigid definition of courage and valor in combat.
Next in order of precedence is the Distinguished Service Cross, with
less rigid restrictions, allowing more to qualify for this award for com-
bat. valor. Beneath the Distinguished Service Cross is the Distinguished
Service Medal, which can be awarded for exceptionally meritorious
service. The complete hierarchy consists at present of 12 awards for
valor and/or service, ranging from the Medal of Honor at the top to
the Purple Heart at the base of the "Pyramid of Honor."
A second Medal of Honor, commonly referred to as the (new)
Medal of Honor, was approved by act of Congress of February 4,
1919, for award to any person in the naval service of the United States
who while in action involving "actual conflict" with the enemy distin-
guished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty and without detriment to the
mission. The old Medal of Honor was retained for noncombat service.
The new Navy Medal of Honor was designed by Tiffany & Company
of New York-hence the reference to it as the "Tiffany Cross"-and is
a gold cross pattee, 35 millimeters across, on a wreath of oak and lau-
rel leaves. The center of the cross bears the eagle design from the
United States seal within an octagon bearing the inscription, "United
States Navy, 1917-1918." A plain anchor appears on each arm of the
cross. Except for the embossed words, "Awarded to," the reverse is
plain. The medal is suspended. from a ribbon consisting of a triple
chevron of 13 white stars on a light blue field, the star at the point of
the chevron being uppermost. At the crest of the ribbon is a bar which
bears the single word "Valour." It is worn at the neck as a pendant,
suspended from the band by means of its ribbon. The ribbon bar worn
in lieu of either the original Medal of Honor or the second Medal of
Honor is light blue and is embroidered with 5 white stars.
The act of Congress, approved February 4, 1919, which established
the new Navy Medal of Honor, also provided for the adoption of a
Navy Distinguished Service Medal, a Navy Cross and a gold star to be
awarded in lieu of a second or additional award of any Navy decora-
tion.
12
The new Navy Medal of Honor was made obsolete by an act of Con-
gress approved August 7, 1942. This act restored the dual status of the
old Navy Medal of Honor, thereby authorizing its award for combat or
noncombat service above and beyond the call of duty. It also reversed
the relative position of the Distinguished Service Medal and Navy
Cross and established the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the
Navy and Marine Corps Medal as Navy decorations. In addition, it also
abolished duplication of awards.
In order to insure fairness to all, Gen. John J. Pershing issued in-
structions to various commanding officers of the American Expedi-
tionary Forces to submit recommendations for award of the Medal of
Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Distinguished Service Medal.
Recommendations were to come from regimental commanders, or, in.
the cases of men not in regiments, from the commanders correspond-
ing as nearly as possible to the grade of regimental commander.
General Pershing also appointed a board of officers at his headquarters
to consider recommendations for the decorations. The recommenda-
tions so screened were then passed on to the Commander in Chief.
From these procedures there evolved the methods of examining
possible awards which were used throughout World War II. Among the
major requirements established at Headquarters, AEF, was one which
specified that each recommendation for a Medal of Honor must cite a
specific action on a particular day or in a particular engagemen giv-
ing the place and details of the action and the numbers of troops in-
volved. It was also specified that each recommendation must be ac-
companied by sworn statements of two or more persons who were
eyewitnesses of the action for which the medal was recommended.
Five days after the Armistice, General Pershing not only directed
that a careful review be made of each case which had been submitted
for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, but he also sent to
headquarters of each division an officer thoroughly familiar with the
forms necessary to substantiate awards of the Medal of Honor. He or-
dered that these officers were to be given every possible assistance in
obtaining necessary evidence for Medal of Honor award in these cases,
so that the Distinguished Service Cross would not be given when a
case merited the Medal of Honor.
Up to November 23, 1918, 24 Medal of Honor recommendations
had been received in the Personnel Bureau, AEF, and 4 approved, as
mentioned above. As of that date, the Personnel Bureau became the
Personnel Division of The Adjutant General's Office, U.S. Army, and
Lt. Col. J. A. Ulio continued as chief of the Decorations Section
within this new Division.
Medal of Honor recommendations and those pertaining to other
decorations were handled at General Pershing's headquarters at Chau-
mont, France, between November 1918 and July 1919. They were sub-
mitted to the War Department, and during this period 78 Medal of
Honor awards were made.
General Pershing personally reviewed each recommendation and the
supporting documents.
Until June 30, 1921, the Badge and Medal Section in The Adjutant
General's Office functioned within very limited areas of administration.
On that date, the Secretary of War directed The Adjutant General to
13
take over all operating functions connected with the award of Army
medals and decorations.
The last Medal of Honor which could be awarded under the legisla-
tions of 1918-which specified that the award could be made not more
than 3 years from the date of the act which won it-was presented to
the American Unknown Soldier on Armistice Day of 1921. The bill
which allowed it to be awarded to an unidentified soldier was signed
by the President on August 24, 1921.
The medal was pinned on the flag draping the coffin of the Un-
known Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery by President Warren G.
Harding, at services in the amphitheater of the cemetery. At the same
time, the President pinned to the flag high awards of Great Britain,
France, Belgium, Italy, Rumania, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. All of
these nations had authorized award of their highest decorations to the
American Unknown Soldier, and the ceremony was attended by dig-
nitaries of each of these countries.
During the post-World War I period special congressional action and
Executive orders allowed the award of the Medal of Honor to Un-
known Soldiers of nations which had been our allies in the conflict. On
March 4, 1921, an act was approved awarding the medal to the Un-
known British and French Soldiers, and on October 12, 1921, a similar
act awarded it to the Italian Unknown Soldier.
Authorization to award the medal to the Belgian Unknown Soldier
was given by Executive order of the President on December 1, 1922,
and a similar authorization was given in the case of the Unknown Ru-
manian Soldier on June 6, 1923.
The Medal of Honor was also awarded to the Unknown American of
World War II by act of Congress approved March 9, 1948, and to the
Unknown American of the Korean conflict by act of Congress ap-
proved August 31, 1957.
In the winter of 1919-20, there was some discussion of changing the
design of the Army medal once again, in order to beautify it, but the
prevailing opinion was in favor of leaving it unchanged, and the design
remained the same as it is today.
During the period of 1927-30, the Army War College, which has the
mission of training selected officers for duty with the General Staff of
the War Department and for high command, made studies of the prin-
ciples and technical aspects of administration of Medal of Honor
awards. Ten student officers had been assigned to make a study of the
system of rewards in the Army as early as 1924. Three years later, in
1927, using the earlier study as a guide and source of material, a study
of greater scope was finished at the War College.
A third study of the subject was made later.
When the time limitation on awards of the medal-contained in the
1918 legislation-expired for the second time, on April 7, 1923, many
applications for War Department decorations which already had been
filed with the Department during the first 4 postwar years still
remained pending in the archives of The Adjutant General and the
General Staff. On May 26, 1928, an extension was made part of an act
of Congress in order to allow clearing up of these cases. It provided
for consideration of recommendations pending at that date in the War
and Navy Departments and the Marine Corps, with awards to be made
in such cases as could be shown worthy.
14
On October 14, 1927, The Permanent Board of Awards was
established by the Secretary of the Navy Curtis D. Wilbur to consider
recommendations for awards of naval decorations to members of the
military forces and to those attached to or serving with the Navy in
any capacity. The Board was composed of two rear admirals of the
line of the Navy and a brigadier general of the Marine Corps, with a
lieutenant commander of the line of the Navy who served as recorder.
The ranks and the number of members composing the Board have
varied through the years, depending on conditions of world affairs, and
the name of the Board was changed to Navy Department Board of
Decorations and Medals.
During World War II and the Korean conflict, the Secretary of the
Navy delegated authority to certain designated commands in the
theaters of operations to award decorations without reference to the
Secretary of the Navy (Navy Department Board of Decorations and
Medals). Such authority excluded the Medal of Honor, the Distin-
guished Service Medal, all awards to flag officers, the Navy and
Marine Corps Medal, and unit awards.
All of these procedures and policies, based upon congressional
legislation, may seem dry and uninteresting. Legal terminology does
not make for glamour. Records of proceedings of a board of review do
not lend themselves to heroics. And the precise wording of regulations
and bulletins, spelling out the law with care and repetition hardly con-
stitutes the material of an adventure story. But it is precisely because of
these legalistic safeguards that the Medal of Honor is a symbol of such
glorious tradition today. The hours which were spent-thousands of
them-from 1861 to the present day in the work of legislation, defini-
tion, administration, review of applications and recommendations,
were unglamorous hours which painfully built the firm base for the
pinnacle which bears the Medal of Honor. As a result of this painstak-
ing work, the Nation was prepared, when World War II struck, to ad-
minister a swift and accurate reward for many provable cases of valor
in action. Since World War II, through both the Korean conflict and
the Vietnam era, these procedures have stood intact to continue to
provide the Nation with an efficient manner of rewarding such con-
spicuous valor.
Through legislation, precedent, and procedure, America has built its
"Pyramid of Honor." The Medal of Honor now stands where it has
been intended all through its history that it should stand-at the top of
that pyramid.
ORDER OF PRECEDENCE OF MILITARY DECORATIONS
The following is the order of precedence for military decorations of
the United States, based on degrees of valor and meritorious achieve-
ment, and the date each medal was established:
U.S. ARMY AND U.S. AIR FORCE
1. Medal of Honor (1862)
2. Distinguished Service Cross (1918)/Air Force Cross (1960)
3. Defense Distinguished Service Medal (1970)
4. Distinguished Service Medal (1918)
15
5. Silver Star (1918)
6. Defense Superior Service Medal (1976)
7. Legion of Merit (1942)
8. Distinguished Flying Cross (1926)
9. Soldier's Medal (1926)/Airman's Medal (1960)
10. Bronze Star (1942)
11. Meritorious Service Medal (1969)
12. Air Medal (1942)
13. Joint Service Commendation Medal (1963)
14. Army Commendation Medal (formerly Commendation Rib-
bon) (1945)/Air Force Commendation Medal (1958)
15. Purple Heart (1782)
U.S. NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
1. Medal of Honor (1862)
2. Navy Cross (1919)
3. Defense Distinguished Service Medal (1970)
4. Distinguished Service Medal (1918)
5. Silver Star (1918)
6. Defense Superior Service Medal (1976)
7. Legion of Merit (1942)
8. Navy and Marine Corps Medal (1942)
9. Bronze Star (1942)
10. Meritorious Service Medal (1969)
11. Air Medal (1942)
12. Joint Service Commendation Medal (1967)
13. Navy Commendation Medal (formerly Navy Commendation
Ribbon) (1944)
14. Purple Heart (1782)
MEDALS FOR CIVILIANS
1. Medal for Merit (1942)
2. Presidential Medal of Freedom (1963) (Supersedes Medal of
Freedom)
3. Certain military medals may also be awarded to civilians
under specified conditions.
16
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 24, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS
SUBJECT:
Tony Conigliaro Sports Benefit
You requested that I "beef up" the draft response declining
the invitation to the President from the Tony Conigliaro
Benefit Committee of Marin County to serve as Honorary
Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro Sports Benefit. There
are basically two reasons we decline such invitations:
(1) the President cannot accept all and accordingly out of
fairness declines all (except for traditional activities
such as the Red Cross, or ones with which he has been
personally associated in the past), and (2) we cannot
supervise or control the activities in question and
accordingly are reluctant to have the President's name
associated with them. In this case, for example, we do not
know who will be invited to the Sports Benefit, what form
any fundraising will take, and so on.
My draft response cited only the first reason, since it
seems a bit awkward to cite concerns about unfortunate
associations or inappropriate activities to those requesting
the association and supervising the activities. The only
way I see of beefing up the response is to cite these
concerns, however, SO the attached redraft attempts to do so
as tactfully as possible.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WAEHINGTON
November 16, 1983
Dear Mr. Saccani:
Thank you for your letter to the President, requesting that
he serve as Honorary Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro
Sports Benefit. We appreciate the kind thoughts contained
in your letter.
I am sorry to have to inform you, however, that the
President cannot accept your gracious invitation to serve as
Honorary Chairman. I am certain you will appreciate that
the President receives countless such invitations from
charitable groups. Except for activities with which
Presidents have traditionally been associated, such as the
Red Cross, or activities in which the President has been
personally involved in the past, the President has been
compelled to adopt a policy of uniformly declining these
requests, no matter how laudable the objectives of the
charitable organization.
Adherence to this policy is necessary primarily out of
considerations of fairness. The President cannot possibly
accept all the invitations to serve as an honorary chairman
he receives, and arbitrarily choosing some would be unfair
to those not chosen. The White House also cannot permit the
President's name to be used in connection with activities
beyond our control or supervision, which would necessarily
occur were the President to accept such invitations.
Please be assured that our need to adhere to this policy in
this instance is in no sense an adverse reflection on you or
the work of the Tony Conigliaro Benefit Committee. We wish
you every success in your efforts.
Sincerely,
Orig. signed by FFF
Fred F. Fielding
Counsel to the President
Mr. Donald R. Saccani
Mariner Distributing Co.
79 Mitchell Boulevard
San Rafael, California 94903
FFF; JGR:aea 11/16/83
bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 24, 1983
Dear Mr. Saccani:
Thank you for your letter to the President, requesting that
he serve as Honorary Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro
Sports Benefit. We appreciate the kind thoughts contained
in your letter.
I am sorry to have to inform you, however, that the
President cannot accept your gracious invitation to serve as
Honorary Chairman. I am certain you will appreciate that
the President receives countless such invitations from
charitable groups. Except for activities with which
Presidents have traditionally been associated, such as the
Red Cross, or activities in which the President has been
personally involved in the past, the President has been
compelled to adopt a policy of uniformly declining these
requests, no matter how laudable the objectives of the
charitable organization.
Adherence to this policy is necessary primarily out of
considerations of fairness. The President cannot possibly
accept all the invitations to serve as an honorary chairman
he receives, and arbitrarily choosing some would be unfair
to those not chosen. The White House also cannot permit the
President's name to be used in connection with activities
beyond our control or supervision, which would necessarily
occur were the President to accept such invitations.
Please be assured that our need to adhere to this policy in
this instance is in no sense an adverse reflection on you or
the work of the Tony Conigliaro Benefit Committee. We wish
you every success in your efforts.
Sincerely,
Orig. signed by.
FFE
Fred F. Fielding
Counsel to the President
Mr. Donald R. Saccani
President-General Manager
Mariner Distributing Co.
San Rafael, California
FFF: JGR:aea 10/24/83
bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 24, 1983
Dear Mr. Saccani:
Thank you for your letter to the President, requesting that
he serve as Honorary Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro
Sports Benefit. We appreciate the kind thoughts contained
in your letter.
I am sorry to have to inform you, however, that the
President cannot accept your gracious invitation to serve as
Honorary Chairman. I am certain you will appreciate that
the President receives countless such invitations from
charitable groups. Except for activities with which
Presidents have traditionally been associated, such as the
Red Cross, or activities in which the President has been
personally involved in the past, the President has been
compelled to adopt a policy of uniformly declining these
requests, no matter how laudable the objectives of the
charitable organization.
Adherence to this policy is necessary primarily out of
considerations of fairness. The President cannot possibly
accept all the invitations to serve as an honorary chairman
he receives, and arbitrarily choosing some would be unfair
to those not chosen. The White House also cannot permit the
President's name to be used in connection with activities
beyond our control or supervision, which would necessarily
occur were the President to accept such invitations.
Please be assured that our need to adhere to this policy in
this instance is in no sense an adverse reflection on you or
the work of the Tony Conigliaro Benefit Committee. We wish
you every success in your efforts.
Sincerely,
Fred F. Fielding
Counsel to the President
Mr. Donald R. Saccani
President-General Manager
Mariner Distributing Co.
San Rafael, California
FFF: JGR:aea 10/24/83
bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 19, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS 220
SUBJECT:
Tony Conigliaro Sports Benefit
Donald R. Saccani, Chairman of the Tony Conigliaro Benefit
Committee of Marin County, has asked the President to become
Honorary Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro Sports
Benefit. I assume you are familiar with the truly tragic
story of Tony Conigliaro, whose promising professional
baseball career - and indeed almost his life - was cut short
when he was struck on the side of the head by a fastball.
The film of the incident is literally chilling, and the
tragedy was a major factor in the shift to baseball helmets
with ear and temple protectors. Conigliaro still suffers
serious health consequences; this benefit is apparently
intended to assist him. Saccani routed the request for the
President to be Honorary Chairman through David Fischer, who
obtained a get well card from the President for Conigliaro,
and Fischer sent it to Anne Higgins, who forwarded it to us.
Our usual policy is to decline such requests, citing the
numerous requests the President receives and his inability
to grant them all. I have prepared a letter along these
lines.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 19, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS 230
SUBJECT:
Tony Conigliaro Sports Benefit
Donald R. Saccani, Chairman of the Tony Conigliaro Benefit
Committee of Marin County, has asked the President to become
Honorary Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro Sports
Benefit. I assume you are familiar with the truly tragic
story of Tony Conigliaro, whose promising professional
baseball career - and indeed almost his life - was cut short
when he was struck on the side of the head by a fastball.
The film of the incident is literally chilling, and the
tragedy was a major factor in the shift to baseball helmets
with ear and temple protectors. Conigliaro still suffers
serious health consequences; this benefit is apparently
intended to assist him. Saccani routed the request for the
President to be Honorary Chairman through David Fischer, who
obtained a get well card from the President for Conigliaro,
and Fischer sent it to Anne Higgins, who forwarded it to us.
Our usual policy is to decline such requests, citing the
numerous requests the President receives and his inability
to grant them all. I have prepared a letter along these
lines.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 19, 1983
Dear Mr. Saccani:
Thank you for your letter to the President, requesting that
he serve as Honorary Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro
Sports Benefit. We appreciate the kind thoughts contained
in your letter.
I am sorry to have to inform you, however, that the
President cannot accept your gracious invitation to serve as
Honorary Chairman. I am certain you will appreciate that
the President receives countless such invitations from
charitable groups. He cannot accept them all, and out of
fairness has been compelled to adopt a policy of uniformly
declining the requests, no matter how laudable the
objectives of the charitable organization.
Please be assured that our need to adhere to this policy in
this instance is in no sense an adverse reflection on you or
the work of the Tony Conigliaro Benefit Committee. We wish
you every success in your efforts.
Sincerely,
Fred F. Fielding
Counsel to the President
Mr. Donald R. Saccani
President-General Manager
Mariner Distributing Co.
San Rafael, California
FFF: JGR:aea 10/19/83
CC: FFFielding
JGRoberts
Subj
Chron
178464
ID #
WHITE HOUSE
PR014-12
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
o OUTGOING
INTERNAL
AMA
I - INCOMING
Received Date Correspondence (YY/MM/DD) 83,09,29
Name of Correspondent:
John W Gardiner
Saccani, Donald R.
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject:
Thought it would benice to recogneze the Presides
of the 1984 Tony Conigliari Sporte Benefit.
Tony Conglinri as Hmorary Chairman
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
CoXx Dono Coxx Dono
ORIGINATOR
83,10,08
/
/
Co Holl
Referral Note:
-R 83/10/11
/
/
Referral Note:
WAT 18
D
83/10/12
5 83,10,22
DD
Referral Note:
/
/
/
/
-
Referral Note:
/
/
/
/
-
Referral Note:
ACTION CODES:
DISPOSITION CODES:
A . Appropriate Action
I . Info Copy Only/No Action Necessary
A Answered
C Completed
C - Comment/Recommendation
R - Direct Reply w/Copy
B - Non-Special Referral
S Suspended
D - Draft Response
S For Signature
F - Furnish Fact Sheet
X Interim Reply
to be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
Type of Response = Initials of Signer
Code
=
"A"
Completion Date = Date of Outgoing
Comments: (blazer crest attached Jugy
Keep this worksheet attached to the original incoming letter.
Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
Always return completed correspondence record to Central Files.
Refer questions about the correspondence tracking system to Central Reference, ext. 2590.
J. W. GARDINER CO.
77 MARK DRIVE, SUITE 30
P.O. BOX 4309
178464
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94903
TELEPHONE: (415) 479-1482
September 27, 1983
David C. Fischer
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear David:
Thanks to you, we were blessed with a get well letter
from President Reagan to Tony Conigliaro that was read
to all guests during a recent banquet here in Marin.
In view of the President's interest in Tony, we thought
it might be nice to recognize him as Honorary Chairman
of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro Sports Benefit. The en-
closed letter from Don Saccani, General Chairman, along
with a blazer crest we had made up for the committee,
pretty well tells the story.
Your assistance in this request, as well as the afore-
mentioned letter, is deeply appreciated.
Kindest regards,
John W. Gardiner
JWG:sg
Encl.
MARINER DISTRIBUTING Co.
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA
D. R. SACCANI
PRESIDENT-GENERAL MANAGER
August 8, 1983
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Enclosed you will find a blazer crest which has been
issued to all of the active committee members of the
Tony Conigliaro Benefit Committee of Marin County. We
do not wish to seem presumptive; however, your interest
in and concern for Tony and his plight are the same
interest and concern shared by those of us who have
dedicated ourselves to improving his current situation.
We therefore feel that you are truly one of us.
Your interest in Tony and his family has been both
stimulating and a display of humanitarianism not
normally seen in a person of your stature. Therefore,
when the committee last met, it was decided that the
person we would most like to have as the Honorary
Chairman of the 1984 Tony Conigliaro Sports Benefit is
you Mr. President. You would do us great honor if you
would consider this request.
We thank you for your consideration and anxiously await
your reply.
Respectfully,
Donald R. Saccani, Chairman
Tony Conigliaro Benefit Committee
DRS/si
Enclosure