Keeping up with past and present happenings in a remarkable small town.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Medal of Honor ~
The Medal of Honor was conferred on a Butlerite, John Donaldson: Sergeant, Company L of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia on 9 May 1865. He captured the flag of the 4th Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A.).
Not to diminish Sgt. Donaldson's bravery, action, or his honor but ...
1. The medal illustrated is the "Congressional Medal of Honor." It was not even established, with all the necessary criteria including being awarded by Congress, until around 1900.
2. There was a Medal of Honor awarded to Civil War soldiers, but it was not comparable to the later award. It was often given to entire batallions and companies for battle activities.
3. That medal was never worn as a lavalliere (sp?). Gen. Horace Porter (who also received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, battler of Chickamauga) is the 1st known recipient to wear his medal as such. In fact, prior to his doing so (when he was in Paris, serving as US Ambassador to France)it was specifically taboo to do so, as it smacked of the Europeans that we so despised in all the preceding conflicts.
So again, while this is an honor, it is not at all same or equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Donaldson was originally from New York nad from which he served. He later in life moved to Chicora. So, not really a Butler person when he was awarded it for a cavalry action.
The Medal of Honor was conferred on a Butlerite, John Donaldson: Sergeant, Company L of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia on 9 May 1865. 
5 comments:
This is enlightening indeed!
I feel honored as a Butlerite to find this out. During my lifetime nobody ever mentioned this.
Not to diminish Sgt. Donaldson's bravery, action, or his honor but ...
1. The medal illustrated is the "Congressional Medal of Honor." It was not even established, with all the necessary criteria including being awarded by Congress, until around 1900.
2. There was a Medal of Honor awarded to Civil War soldiers, but it was not comparable to the later award. It was often given to entire batallions and companies for battle activities.
3. That medal was never worn as a lavalliere (sp?). Gen. Horace Porter (who also received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, battler of Chickamauga) is the 1st known recipient to wear his medal as such. In fact, prior to his doing so (when he was in Paris, serving as US Ambassador to France)it was specifically taboo to do so, as it smacked of the Europeans that we so despised in all the preceding conflicts.
So again, while this is an honor, it is not at all same or equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor.
How does this compare to Call of Duty?
Donaldson was originally from New York nad from which he served. He later in life moved to Chicora. So, not really a Butler person when he was awarded it for a cavalry action.
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