The Patriot Post® · Profiles of Valor: The Independence Day Medals
The birth of American Liberty and the Republic to sustain it began with the shots fired on the first Patriots’ Day, April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord. That opening volley of the Revolutionary War was fired against occupying Royal soldiers who had been sent to confiscate arms from the people.
Our Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, at great peril to the signers, listed the justifications for the Revolutionary War, further asserting that the “Rights of Man” were endowed by our Creator, not by the state.
Since those first “shots heard ‘round the world,” generations of American Patriots have defended Liberty on many fronts.
Among them are 3,517 Medal of Honor recipients. Only 61 of them are living today. The records of all recipients is maintained by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and for membership, all you need is a Medal of Honor.
The Society published a record of the six recipients who have two things in common: Charles Capeheart, Marcus Hanna, Thomas Pope, William Nakamura, Frank Ono, and Leroy Mendonca all served in the U.S. Army, and their Medals of Honor were for actions on Independence Day.
In chronological order, here is a brief outline of those actions.
Charles E. Capehart was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. On Independence Day, 1863, he went beyond the call of duty when he charged down a mountainside at midnight through heavy rain to capture the enemy’s fleeing wagon train. His attack resulted in his men destroying many enemy wagons and taking in soldiers as captives. You can read his MoH citation here.
Marcus A. Hanna also served in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. He too was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 4, 1863, during a battle in Port Hudson, Louisiana. Hanna displayed selfless service when he voluntarily exposed himself to heavy fire to get water for his comrades who were in rifle pits. You can read his MoH citation here.
On Independence Day in 1918, Thomas A. Pope was serving in the U.S. Army during World War I. He was positioned in Hamel, France, when his company was halted by hostile machine-gun fire. Pope decided to move forward alone and rushed a machine-gun nest. He was successful in his efforts and continued to hold off other enemy personnel until reinforcements arrived and captured them. You can read his MoH citation here.
On July 4, 1944, William Kenzo Nakamura showed extreme courage and bravery during an intense fight near Castellina, Italy. When his platoon was pinned down by enemy machine-gun fire, Nakamura crawled and approached the hostile nest and was successful in silencing the enemy’s engagement. As a result of his actions, his platoon was able to continue their advance. Later on in the day, his company was ordered to withdraw from their position. Nakamura insisted on covering the withdrawal and sacrificed his life for the safety of his comrades. For these two heroic actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 21, 2000. You can read his MoH citation here.
Frank H. Ono was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the U.S. Army and the selfless actions he took on Independence Day in 1944. When his platoon was in danger of being encircled and was ordered to withdraw, Private First Class Ono volunteered to cover it. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made himself a target of enemy fire until his platoon could reach safety. When the task was successfully completed, he descended the hill in various stages until he was able to rejoin his comrades. You can read his MoH citation here.
On July 4, 1951, Leroy A. Mendonca went beyond the call of duty during his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His platoon, in an intense battle, had captured Hill 586 and were in their newly won position when they were attacked by a superior enemy force. When his platoon was ordered to withdraw to a secondary line of defense, Mendonca stayed behind and remained in an exposed position to cover the platoon. He bravely battled off the enemy until he was mortally wounded. His actions stalled the assault and ultimately protected his platoon’s movement to the secondary line of defense. You can read his MoH citation here.
Each of these recipients exhibited uncommon valor — humble American Patriots defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty, and in disregard for the peril to their own lives. “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
(Read more Profiles of Valor here.)
Footnote: The most recent Medal of Honor recipient was a fellow Chattanoogan and longtime friend, CPT Larry Taylor. His award was presented on September 5, 2023.
Today, July 3, 2024, the families of two long-overdue recipients will receive Medals of Honor on behalf of their Civil War Veteran ancestors, PVT Philip Shadrach and PVT George Wilson. Both men were with the 2nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry Regiment and the last two remaining members of Andrews’ Raiders, who had yet to be recognized for their valorous service. As you may recall, the actions of Andrews’ Raiders in 1862 resulted in the first Medal of Honor awards in our nation’s history. Their daring mission is memorialized at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Birthplace of the Medal of Honor.
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776
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Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform — Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen — standing in harm’s way in defense of American Liberty, honoring their oath “to support and defend” our Constitution. Pray for our Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please consider a designated gift to support the National Medal of Honor Sustaining Fund through Patriot Foundation Trust, or make a check payable to “NMoH Sustaining Fund” and mail it to:
Patriot Foundation Trust
PO Box 407
Chattanooga, TN 37401-0407
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