July 2014 - Argghhh!

ISIS Torches 1800-Year-Old Mosul Church After Expelling Christiansmap perfectly, but, "Hobby Lobby! Otherwise... *crickets* ISIS Torches 1800-Year-Old Mosul Church After Expelling Christians.

The Medal makes it's first appearance during the War with Spain, with some sailors doing some mine-clearing. MORIN, WILLIAM H. Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 23 May 1869, England. G.O. No.: 500, 14 December 1898. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Morin took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period....

There are 32 Medals awarded for actions on this day. Not surprisingly, we start with the 2nd Day at Gettysburg - the hardest-fought day (though the survivors of Pickett's Charge on the 3rd might argue the point).

There are six Medals awarded for actions on this day in hisotry. Today we open per usual, with the Civil War, at Cache River, Arkansas , where Union Brigadier Samuel Curtis (an officer I admire for his mental flexibility and nerve at the Battle of Pea Ridge) routed a rebel force, setting the stage to extend Union control down the Mississippi River and take Arkansas much closer to effectively out of the war. Besides, how can I not love an Infantryman (First Sergeant Pike) who saves a cannon?

There 12 Medals awarded for actions on this day in only two fights, one during the Indian Campaigns and the other during the China Relief Expedition. Today's list reflects the fact that we really had no other award of this nature to bestow back in the 19th century.* Many of these awards here today would most likely be Bronze Stars w/V, Silver Stars, and Distinguished Service Crosses. That said - bear in mind that all these awards have been reviewed and stood the test of time. With an average...

Today we open in the period of the Interim Awards, 1871-1898, with another rescue of a drowning sailor - which today would be a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism not involving combat. COSTELLO, JOHN Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1850, Rouses Point, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 214, 27 July 1876. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Hartford, Philadelphia, Pa., 16 July 1876. Showing gallantry, Costello rescued from drowning a landsman of that vessel. We follow...

Today the show opens during the Civil War with four Medals awarded, including one tough Quartermaster and that Civil War classic, the flag capture. CLARK, JOHN W. Rank and organization: First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster, 6th Vermont Infantry. Place and date: Near Warrenton, Va., 28 July 1863. Entered service at: Vermont. Born: 21 October 1830, Montpelier, Vt. Date of issue: 17 August 1891. Citation: Defended the division train against a vastly superior force of the enemy; he was severely...

Good Golly! There are *41* Medals awarded for actions on this day - and not one of them is a posthumous award! 1 July is a very busy day for the Medal in the 19th Century. During this time the Medal of Honor was the only available option, so many of the Medals awarded during the 1863-1900 era would be Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, and Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross today. As usual - we start with the Civil War and the two big battles occurring on July 1st - Malvern HIll and Gettysburg.