Friday, May 30, 2003 | 5:27 a.m.
THIS WEDNESDAY, June 4, the Legion of Valor will start its 113th reunion at the Riviera Hotel. The Legion of Valor members are holders of our nation's two highest awards, which include the Medal of Honor or a Distinguished Service Cross (Army), Navy Cross (Navy and Marines) or the Air Force Cross (Air Force). Immediately below these two awards is the Distinguished Service Medal, which is meritorious and not for heroism or gallantry. The next combat award below the crosses is the Silver Star.
The basic requirements for the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award, and the three crosses, are based on gallantry and extraordinary heroism:
"(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
"(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
"(3) 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."
So who are these medal recipients? You probably haven't heard of Marine PFC Ralph L. Browner, a Las Vegan, who is now National Commander of the Legion of Valor. He received the Navy Cross for action on Saipan in July 1944.
His citation reads, in part, as follows: "During the night, when the company was receiving a heavy counterattack on the beach west of KABERRA PASS, Private First Class Browner set up his machine gun on the left flank of the line within six feet of the water's edge and manned the gun during the entire night despite intense rifle and machine gun fire. An estimated two hundred Japanese soldiers occupied the caves and beaches a few yards in front of Private First Class Browner's position. As the heat of the battle grew, he was receiving fire from three directions, but he courageously and willingly held his position and accounted for thirty-five enemy dead. His skill and tenacity were material factors in protecting the left flank of the line and in repulsing the counterattack."
The reason I know about the upcoming reunion is because one of my longtime Army friends will be attending. He was Sgt. First Class Jack Tolbert with the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea on June 11, 1953. The citation for his Distinguished Service Cross reads, in part, as follows:
"He was one of two outpost guards on the main line of resistance when the area came under a heavy artillery and mortar bombardment. Observing a hostile infantryman approaching the position, he shouted a warning to the other sentinel and to the guard at the command post, enabling them to alert other elements of the imminent attack. Seconds later the enemy solider hurled a fragmentation grenade into the bunker. Fully aware of the danger involved, he stepped on the missile in an attempt to dispose of it or lessen its explosive effect and received the full impact of the explosion. Although critically wounded in this display of valor, his prompt and unhesitating action prevented serious injury to his comrade ..."
There is often an indistinguishable line between the actions of a Medal of Honor recipient and the receiver of a DSC, NC or AFC. Not all recipients are wounded or killed when performing acts of heroism and gallantry. A good example is former Las Vegan Young Oak Kim when serving with the 442nd "Go For Broke" Regiment. His DSC citation awarded in Italy, May 1944 was for a combat accomplishment of almost unbelievable courage and skill.
"First Lieutenant Kim, accompanied by one enlisted man, voluntarily went on a patrol to secure information of many units and dispositions in a vital sector of the front. All previous patrols of combat strength had attempted without success to take prisoners in this well-defended sector. First Lieutenant Kim and his assistant infiltrated approximately 800 yards through the enemy line of outposts. While observing enemy dispositions, he discovered a strong enemy outpost situated in a small ditch. To reach this outpost, First Lieutenant Kim and his assistant, in broad daylight, crawled 250 yards across an open field, exposed to enemy observation from the German main line of resistance on the commanding slope of their rear. Arriving at a point near the outpost, they surprised two Germans armed with machine pistols who were acting as security. By use of signs, F irst Lieutenant Kim warned the enemy to remain quiet. He retraced his perilous route with the two prisoners and successfull! y bypassed two enemy listening posts to arrive at his own lines ..."
This week the Riviera Hotel will be hosting some outstanding Americans who have earned respect for their role in our nation's history.
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