Quotes and Stuff

[Gravdigr]

"One of the most disappointing regrets of my career is not having the Medal of Honor awarded to the most outstanding soldier I've ever had the privilege of commanding."

~Maj. Gen. Lloyd B. Ramsey (U.S. Army, retired), speaking (in an affidavit) of the late Lt. Garlin Murl Conner, Clinton County, KY, the second-most highly decorated soldier of World War II*, who, it appears, will not be receiving the Medal Honor, due to a filing technicality.

*The most highly decorated being Audie Murphy.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Bummer, but He doesn't care now.

And the people who claim they're doing it for him, where've you been for 70 years? Day late and a dollar short, people, what did you do for him when he was alive? Take him to a ball game, or feed the ducks at the park, maybe just sit and talk to him. He was 79 and in poor health when he died, I'm sure he could have used some company the last year or three.

[Gravdigr]

His wife has been working on this for 17 years. She didn't know there was a statute of limitations on it. And as far as 'company the last year or three', nowhere does it say he died alone or lonely.

Also: Regarding "he doesn't care now", I seriously doubt Conner was the kind of man who would've worried about a medal.

I have to admit to being a little baffled by the perceived tone of Bruce's post. Perhaps I've inadvertently struck a nerve...

[xoxoxoBruce]

Reading about this guy, and all the shit he did, I think he got short changed, but didn't strike me as the type of guy that felt entitled to the CM or resented not getting it. Now he's dead so he doesn't care either way.

His wife has been working on this for 17 years.

Sure, a good ewe wife will do that you know.
17 years... wonder why? Did he ask her to? For him? For her? Doing it out of love? Perceived obligation?

Two military historians dug into it, talked to witnesses, are thoroughly convinced the man deserved it. But back in the day he pissed somebody off, or they decided he had enough medals, or they were busy trying to get home. Out of sight out of mind, war's over, let's get on with life.

You can, however, bet the farm, when this stuff makes the news the politicians will be front and center smiling for the camera and shaking his hand off. And Ramsey, how did he help besides dictating a glowing appraisal?

I've seen so many of these WW II vets struggle with health issues for their last few years. They get isolated for lack of mobility, friends are dropping like flies, and the TV becomes their companion. Then they die and people who hadn't given them a thought come out of the woodwork singing hosannas.

I certainly don't want you to think I have anything against Conner, far from it. He was a hero in the finest sense of the word, and got shortchanged. But the people rushing to "honor" him, make me wonder what their motive is? How will what they are doing to "honor" him, help them?