Controversies and Questionable Awards: Victoria Cross and Medal of Honor Recipients
The Victoria Cross (VC) and the Medal of Honor (MoH) are two of the highest military honors awarded for acts of valor. While the vast majority of recipients are celebrated for their bravery, there have been instances where the awards have been controversial or questioned. This article explores such cases and the complexities behind awarding these honors.
Victoria Cross Controversial Recipients
Some Victoria Cross recipients have faced scrutiny regarding the circumstances of their awards. For example, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, known for his famous poem In Flanders Fields, is often associated with the VC. However, his specific actions leading to the award are sometimes questioned.
Additionally, there have been instances where the awards were given posthumously, leading to debates about the actions that led to recognition. These cases often involve a review of the events surrounding the awards, highlighting the complexity of military history and the evolution of standards for valor.
Medal of Honor: Disputed Actions and Administrative Errors
Some recipients of the Medal of Honor have had their actions questioned, particularly during the Civil War. For instance, the award was sometimes given for actions that may not have met current standards of valor. In some cases, awards were given due to administrative errors or misunderstandings of the acts performed.
Notable examples include the apparent issues with the posthumous award to Douglas MacArthur, whose service in various conflicts has been subject to debate. Furthermore, the 1916 review of Medals of Honor rescinded the award of 911 such medals, including that of the only woman to ever receive one, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.
Historical Context and Evolution of Valor Standards
The standards for receiving these awards have evolved over time. What might have been considered heroic in one era may be viewed differently in another. In rare cases, individuals may have exaggerated their actions to gain recognition, leading to debates about their deservingness.
For example, the 1916 Medal of Honor Review Board was tasked with assessing the validity of over 2,600 awards. Their methodology involved removing names from citations and using numerical identifiers to maintain impartiality. They evaluated each award with the standard set at the time of the original award rather than today's standards.
As a result, the 911 awards were rescinded, with common reasons including insufficient evidence of valor and confusion in record-keeping. Notable cases include the 27th Maine Infantry's confusion leading to 864 rescinded awards and the erroneous awarding to the members of President Abraham Lincoln's funeral guard.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the sole woman to receive the Medal of Honor, was also reviewed. The review board noted, 'there is no evidence of distinguished gallantry,' leading to her award being rescinded, though it was later reinstated in 1977.
The review process also affected five civilians who served as scouts for the Army. These awards were rescinded because the Medal of Honor laws stipulated that it could only go to enlisted men or officers. However, the review board hoped that a modification of the law would permit them to retain their medals. This modification was later granted in 1989.
Despite these controversies, it is crucial to remember that the overwhelming majority of recipients are truly deserving of their awards. The complexities of military history and the evolution of valor standards have led to discussions about the deservingness of certain awards, making these debates all the more intriguing.