Congressional Medal of Honor

X2!

 

That is very cool! We salute you Grandma! Hooraaa!

 

Congrats to your grandma.

 

First off PAL---read the requirements..."in direct combat action with an enemy force" is part of the requirement. Secondly while you were sucking on your MaMa's tit...I was carrying an M-14 in a place you probably have never heard of in a jungle in a land far far away. Oh by the way...I wore the same uniform as you did then and was an 0331.

I wish his grandmother well as her contribution to the protection of the country is honorable and she should be recognized for what she did. Flying aircraft just out of maintenance is dangerous enough. Secondly for those who have received the MOH they deserve and should expect those of us who have served our country both in and out of uniform to defend them.

His Grandmother (as I have said before and will say again) deserves to be recognized...I would bet there are alot more women that should be recognized as well but unfortunately the silent generation didn't ask for recognition but simply served and provided the back bone and back up to the fight going forward. Being a woman in the military service in that day and time was tough enough...my eternal respect will always go to them and to the "rosie riveter's" who kept the home and the ammunition going forward.

By the way "PAL" anytime you want to compare war time service post your resume..."I'll answer it!"

33 years in and still serving. Proud as always to serve my country and defend the rights of others to say or write what they want in a "Free Country!!"

 

What are the guidelines for which the medal could be awarded?
On July 25,1963 Congress established a set of guidelines under which the Medal of Honor could be awarded:
a.) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
b.) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or,
c.) while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Congrats and thanx to the OP's Grandmother

 

Read the requirements and this is what is stated:

Criteria: The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President, in the name of Congress, to a person who, while a member of the Army, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.

 

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and Members of Congress will hold a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on March 10, 2010 in the Capitol to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II.
The WASP was a pioneering organization of civilian female pilots employed to fly military aircrafts under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. More than 60 years ago, they flew fighter, bomber, transport, and training aircraft in defense of America’s freedom. Through their actions, the WASP eventually were the catalyst for revolutionary reform in the integration of women pilots into the Armed Services.
Legislation to support the WASP Congressional Gold Medal was co-sponsored by: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Representative Susan Davis (D-CA). On July 1, 2009, President Obama signed this legislation.
“This Congressional Gold Medal honors the remarkable accomplishments, courage, and sacrifice of a distinct group of women in the United States military,” said Congresswomen Ros-Lehtinen and Davis, and Senators Hutchison and Mikulski. “The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII will be remembered for their dedicated efforts and unwavering service to our country in the fight for freedom

 

Wyden honors WWII women fliers
By Special to The Oregonian
January 08, 2010, 9:32AM
View full sizeJanet Goetze
Jeannette Goodrum of Lake Oswego thanks Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and people at the King City Town Hall for honoring her World War II achievements as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, called WASP. She plans to join other WASP to receive a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor, in a Washington, D.C., ceremony tentatively set for March.
Jeannette Gagnon Goodrum of Lake Oswego learned during World War II to land planes on skis in the New Hampshire snow as a member of the pioneering Women Airforce Service Pilots.

The 89-year-old Massachusetts native was among the 1,074 women who became the first to fly U.S. military planes. At the time, some questioned whether women were capable of doing the job. They received no military benefits nor honors until 1977, when their records of service were unsealed and they gained full military status.

They have gained additional recognition since then, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian award, bestowed in early 2009. However, the medals of the approximately 300 surviving pilots each will receive are still at the United States Mint, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Or., said earlier this week.

For that reason, he has been honoring each of the seven surviving WASP known in Oregon as he attends meetings near their homes. Goodrum's turn came this week at a Town Hall meeting in King City, where Wyden presented her with a framed copy of the bill authorizing the Gold Medal and a flag that has flown over the Capitol.

"We know you flew many of the same missions as the men, but you didn't get the recognition at the time," Wyden said to Goodrum. Now, the trailblazing WASP accomplishments can inspire young women, including his 2-year-old daughter, to great achievements, he said.

Goodrum thanked Wyden and the people filling the King City Club House meeting room, who loudly applauded the former teacher and school administrator, who raised four children after her days in the cockpit.

"I'm overwhelmed," she said later.

Another WASP, Anna Flynn Monkiewicz, 90, of The Dalles, said renewed interest in the pilots has surprised her. However, she noted, the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military airmen, and the Navajo code talkers, whose wartime communication was based on their ancient language, also have been recognized in recent years.

"I guess it's our turn," said Monkiewicz, who flew small fighter planes. Goodrum flew a lot of twin-engine aircraft.

The WASP duties included ferrying planes between air bases, transporting cargo, towing targets for live anti-aircraft artillery practice and simulated strafing missions.

In addition to Goodrum and Monkiewicz, according to Wyden's office, Oregon's surviving WASP include Madelon Burcham Hill of Bend; Catherine Murphy of Jacksonville; Elinor Fairchild Stebbins of Portland; Shirley Haugan Wunsch of Manzanita and Kay Chaffey of Medford.

Both Goodrum and Monkiewicz said they plan to attend a Washington, D.C., ceremony to receive their Congressional Gold Medals, tentatively set for March.

-- Janet Goetze

 

Tell ur grandma Congradaltions and Thank her for her service.

 

I don't want to stir up a hornets nest here, but what exactly did she do to receive this award that separated her from the other women pilots? I hope they aren't just handing these things out like candy, or to be PC, but anyway congrats to her. And double check to make sure it isn't a different award, because if she is, than she would be the second only women to ever win this award.

 

I think if you look at TacoBelle's press release quote it's not the CMH
but
the Congressional Gold Medal..

just a simple misunderstanding

 

Thankks TACOBELL and a big thanks to you bigk

 

Yeah, didn't have time to read everything, it happens a lot with all of us.

 

Correct,
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest and most distinguished award Congress can award to a civilian. Since the American Revolution; Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. In 2000 and 2006, Congress awarded the Gold Medal to the Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen, respectively.

A very Honorable Group indeed and a very Honorable Citizen and Grandmother.

 

Congrats to your Grandmother for earning the CGM. That's awesome.

 

Congrats to your grandmother, that's cool Check out this website sometime www.cmohs.org It tells of all the MOH recipients (their citation, who's still living, etc). Pretty interesting stuff.

 

i'm assuming she's a part of this group. It's the CGM not MOH, the congressional gold medal is the highest award a civilian can receive. congrats to your grandma and thank her for her service to our country from all of us.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100310/ap_on_go_co/us_female_world_war_ii_pilots

 

Congrats to his GM, either award is a tremendous accomplishment.

 

absoulutly. no doubt about that

secretsquirl, great story. i love that stuff

 

I just saw the last segment of ABC World News about these female pilots. I wish the segment was longer. They mentioned the women had to pay their own way home after the war. It's terrible that it's taken this long for their sacrifices and duty to be recognized.