Sgt. John F. Baker, Army, and Mrs. Baker The women of South Carolina and patriotic leaders representing every organization imaginable from the mountains to the sea gathered at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center to honor America’s Greatest Heroes, the recipients of the Medal of Honor. The event took place Wednesday, January 20, 2010, which was proclaimed by concurrent resolution of the South Carolina General Assembly as SC Medal of Honor Day.

The Heroes, Msg. John F. Baker Jr.; Col. Charles P. Murray Jr., and Lt. Michael E. Thornton were ushered into the arena by the Chief Justice of the S.C. Supreme Court, The Hon. Jean Hoefer Toal; the First Ladies of South Carolina: Mrs. John C. West, Mrs. Carroll A. Campbell Jr, and Mrs. David M. Beasley; Bishop Mary Taylor of United Methodist Conference; presenters Daundy Mercer Plank, Hon. Edie M. Rodgers, Judi Gatson, Hon. “Liz” Patterson, and Hon. Belinda Gergel. They were flanked by Marines and the Youth Challenge. The Congressional Medal of Honor

Col. Charles P. Murray Jr. US Army (Ret.) The Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to a member of the United States armed services who “distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty” in military action.

The Declaration of Gratitude

The Declaration of Gratitude was signed previously by each of the First Ladies, in addition to those present, Mrs. James H. Hodges, Mrs. James B. Edwards, and Mrs. Mark Sanford. It was framed and presented to each of the heroes along with a copy of the Resolution.

Medal of Honor Recipients of SC

John Baker Jr. Ser - geant, Army, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson for action he saw on November 5, 1966, for his service in Vietnam. With selfless heroism, indomitable fighting spirit, and extraordinary gallantry, he assaulted his enemy bunkers, often single– handedly, inflicting casualties upon the enemy and saving the lives of several wounded men by evacuating them to safety, and returning to reengage the enemy. His portrait of valor beyond the call of duty described Michael E. Thornton, US Navy SEAL (Ret.) in The New York Times Bestseller Medal of Honor, is called, “Jungle Assault.”

Presenting the declaration and resolution to Sgt. Baker and introducing Mrs. Baker was Dawndy Mercer Plank, who holds the Best Anchor Personality for many years by Free Times and Best Local TV Personality by Columbia Metropolitan Magazine.

James Livings ton, Captain, Mar ine Corps was presented the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon for his action on May 2, 1968 for his service in Vietnam. Assaulting a fortified village, he led his men across 550 yards of dangerous open r ice paddy under intense fire. Wounded three times, he refused medical treatment, led his men to destroy more than 100 bunkers, drove the remaining enemy from their positions and assisted a third company in its attack. His por trait of valor beyond the call of duty described in Medal of Honor , is called “Staying Alive.”

The Hon. Edie Rodgers expressed regret that Gen. Livings ton could not be present because of a previouslymade engagement. Accepting the Declaration and the Resolution for him was Col. Myron C. Harrington Jr. US Marine Corps, (Ret.) a graduate of the Citadel, and the recipient of the highest honor the Navy presents, The Navy Cross.

Millie Howard, Red Hat Society, and Gen. Nelson C. Lacy Charles Murray Jr., First Lieutenant , Army, was presented the Medal of Honor Dec. 16, 1944, France, World War II. Leading a reinforced platoon, he observed 200 Germans pouring deadly fire into an American battalion occupying a ridge. He crawled ahead of his platoon, directed artillery fire until radio went dead, then attacked the Germans, wounding many and capturing 10. Though he was wounded, his actions stopped a counterattack. Murray learned that he was to receive the Medal of Honor when his wife sent him a clipping from their hometown newspaper. The presentation was made by General Geoffrey Keys on July 5, 1945, at the Salzburg airpor t. The entire 15,000 man 3rd Division, which had received a presidential citation, passed by the reviewing stand. Colonel Murray continued on active duty until his retirement in 1973. His last combat duty was as an infantry br igade commander in Vietnam, where both of his sons also served. His por trait of valor beyond the call of Jacquelin Hearn, honored for her tireless work on Women Honor Valor duty described in Medal of Honor, is called “Stand on the Rhine.”

Presenting the Declaration of Gratitude and Resolution to Col. Murray and introducing Mrs. Murray was Judi Gatson, wife of a Marine, anchor of WIS News Live at 5, WIS New at 6 and WIS Nightcast.

Michael Thornton, Pet ty Off icer, Navy, was presented the Medal of Honor on October 15, 1973, by President Richard Nixon for his action Oct. 31, 1972, in Vietnam. His patrol suddenly came under heavy fire from a superior force, inflicting casualties, and the patrol fell back to water’s edge. He returned through a hail of fire to rescue his seriously wounded superior officer, shooting two assailants. He towed his officer seaward for two hours until rescued. His portrait of valor beyond the call of duty described in Medal of Honor, is called, “Hero Saves Hero.”

First Lady Mrs. John C. West Thornton was on his way to the White House to receive the Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon. Lieutenant Norris, had been forbidden by his doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital to go to the ceremony, but Thornton ”spirited” him out the back door and took him along. Some three years later, Norris himself received the medal with Thornton looking on.

Michael Thornton, the keynote speaker for the Women Honor Valor program, was born in Greenville, South Carolina, entered the service in Spartanburg. He was presented the Declaration of Gratitude and Resolution by the Honorable “Liz” Patterson, who served in the SC Senate and later became South Carolina’s one and only Congress woman who makes her home in Spartanburg, S.C.

First Lady Mrs. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. and Nancy Bunch, staff of Governor’s Mansion The Declaration of Gratitude

The Declaration of Gratitude was read by Justice Toal and symbolically signed by the First Ladies to lead all South Carolinians to sign their names to be presented to each of the 91 Medal of Honor Recipients who will convene in Charleston Sept. 29 – Oct. 3, called Beyond Valor.

Columbia City Concilwoman Belinda F. Gergel, Ph.D,, a native South Carolinian with a passionate love of the history of her home state told the audience about Beyond Valor and urged everyone to go home and get the Declaration of Gratitude signed and contr ibute to hosting the Medal of Honor convention.

First Lady Mrs. David M. Beasley Adding to the historic occasion by Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr., author, internationally acclaimed military analyst, was his friend Rita Cosby, a television news anchor and correspondent, recipient of three Emmy Awards, the Jack Anderson Award for investigative excellence, the Matr ix Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Cosby told about her moving personal experience, her up–coming book about her father’s service in WWII, his capture and, ultimately, his escape to freedom. Also, a friend of Col. Smith, Kay B. Day, a nationally recognized poet and author read a special poem she had written honoring the day.

SC Senator John L. Scott Jr. presented a resolution of the General Assembly recognizing the efforts of one person for this particular event. The celebrities, the political leaders, and those who have a high name–recognition factor have been thanked. Without the help of Rogers Townsend and Thomas, the Medal of Honor Convention may not be taking place in South Carolina, but there is one person who provided the focus for the mission and provided the glue that bound Everything together. She worked tirelessly after customary long hours at her regular job to do what was necessary to ensure the success of this noble cause. She is a Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude graduate, a paralegal for 41 years, married to a Mar ine, and with the “can do” attitude of a Marine, a dedicated patriot, mother and grandmother. The presentation was made with heartfelt gratitude to Jacqueline Laurey “Jackie” Hearn.

Michael Graham of Rogers, Townsend, and Thomas, chairman of Women Honor Valor The vocalists for the program were world-class Jan Merchant and Dr. Richard Conant, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, USC accompanied by Walter Scull.

Hon. Edie Rogers and Raul Martin The Values of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society:

Courage

We embrace the indomitable courage demonstrated by the recipients of Amer ica’s highest military honor for valor as an ideal that should endure in all ways of life

 

Sacrifice

We support sacrifice and service above self as principles that all Americans should strive for as citizens of a free and prosperous nation.

 

Patriotism

We promote love of country and are committed to support and defend the freedoms we enjoy as Americans

 

Citizenship

We believe that America’s destiny lies in its youth and are committed to helping them become worthy citizens of our country in the belief that ordinary Americans have the potential to challenge fate and change the course of history

Hon. Liz Patterson

Integrity

We believe that the mark of a true hero is to have the moral courage to do what needs to be done because it is the r ight thing to do.

 

Commitment

We steadfastly support the valiant men and women who serve our country in the same spirit of commitment and sacrifice as those who preceded them.

 

The Nation Which Forgets Its Defenders Will Itself Be Forgotten

For more information visit www.womenhonorvalor. org.