Do Not Diminish the Meaning of Our Military Medal of Honor

As a Retired Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt), First Sergent, I place the Medal of Honor (MOH) in high reverence.

I perceive every single person that serves or has served in the United States military as a hero - period. They fully understand the meaning of Loyalty, Integrity, and Personal Courage. They also know Honor.

The honor word is thrown around in many different forms and has different meaning to many, but use it with "The Medal of Honor" and it takes on the same meaning to us all. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon super heroes with great credit or distinction upon themselves, their units and the United States of America.

Based on merit and actions, the Department of Defense chooses the recipients from candidates submitted to them. Those chosen are then presented the award in a respectful ceremony by the President of the United States. President Harry S. Truman said on March 27, 1946, "I would rather have a Medal of Honor than be President of the United States." One cannot elevate these honorable heroes higher than that.

There is a coterie of present-day people who believe the requirements to be a chosen MOH recipient is too stringent. I say Phooey!

The Medal of Honor should not be diminished by decreasing the standards for qualification. The Nation's understanding of a Hero must not be diluted. According to the Associated Press August 2, 2009, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California has "sponsored legislation that directs the secretary of defense to review current trends in awarding the Medal of Honor to determine what's behind the low count (Of recipients). The bill passed the house. If Senate negotiators go along, Secretary Robert Gates would have to report back by March 31."

Senator Hunter has good intentions but he's misguided. Only the Pentagon, The Department of Defense has the experience and the knowledge to make these decisions. The Medal is presented in the name of Congress by the President of the United States, but Congress has no business being involved in the decision process of considering a Medal of Honor recipient. Rep. Hunter has no business trying to influence the process.

In September President Obama presented the MOH posthumously to Army Staff Sergeant Jared Monti. Sergeant Monti was killed June 21, 2006 in a fierce battle at an Army outpost near Gowardesh, Afghanistan. I believe this was the sixth MOH awarded since 9/11. He was a super Hero on that tragic day. Here is a reprint of his citation obtained from the Department of Defense website: http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/monti/citation.html

Official Citation
Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti
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, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on June 21, 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.

I salute Sergeant Monti and his family just as I do all the past Medal of Honor heroes. I salute them because they are the Heroes of Heroes. I also salute the families for their sacrifice.

To Congress and other groups that want to lower the MOH standards, hear this command, "About face! Forward march!"