Is there politics involved in the awarding of the “Medal of Honor?”
Sadly a resounding yes! On Jan 16/2001 President Clinton awarded the “Medal of Honor” to our 26th president Theodore Roosevelt in a ceremony held in the White House.
In 1898 the War Department ruled that there were no eye witnesses to Roosevelt 's supposed deed. To the present day there is a mandatory cardinal rule that there be at least two sworn affidavits verifying the action. None were ever on record and none were ever recorded January 16, 2001, fully 103 years later. President Clinton awarded the medal posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt stating at the time of the award “The reasons why Roosevelt never got the honor are unclear,” but he said “opinions that he should have received it long ago are unanimous.”
On the evening of June 14th 1953 on a hill called “Boomerang” during the Korean War my husband then an 18 year old Sergeant went “above and beyond” several times that night to rescue four of his fellow comrades. Assigned to “F” Company 7th Infantry Regiment 3rd Division Bob and the men of his company were involved in an horrific battle sometimes involving hand-to-hand combat. Though vastly outnumbered enduring a ferocious artillery barrage of over 17,500 rounds Bob and the few remaining men of his company prevailed though at a huge cost on both sides. National Archive reports state that 25 Americans were killed in action, “seventy-nine were wounded in action and one missing in action.” Later counts were much higher. Chinese forces suffered 1255 confirmed killed in action an estimated 865 wounded and 3 prisoners were taken!
Not long after the battle was over Bob was told that he was being recommended for a high award. Transferring to another front line outfit and then returning to the states after the war was over, Bob never heard about an award until 42 years later. In 1995 Bob's ex-sniper at the time of the “Boomerang” battle told Bob that he had recommended him for a high award. Thomas Innocenti, the man who told Bob that, located his ex-commanding officer at the time of the “Boomerang” action and informed him about Bob's actions. After notifying the “Army Awards Board” about my husband's valorous action the “Awards Board” awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valor to Bob and his ex-sniper in 1995.
In Jan. 1997 Bob located another soldier from his squad, Rene Sliva of Anza CA . Silva sent a notarized affidavit to the Awards Board describing Bob's actions on the night of 6/14/53, in his affidavit, Silva stated, “The courage shown by Sgt. Barfield astonished me, he risked his life many times that unforgettable night and I was told after the battle he was put in for a high award. As far as I am concerned Sgt. Barfield deserves the highest award possible for his heroism.” This affidavit was also sent to the Army Awards Board.
In the summer of 1998 Bob located Major (Ret) Lewis Hotelling his ex-platoon leader at the time of the “Boomerang” action. Hotelling was a major participant of the battle that night so long ago. Severely wounded several times, eventually losing part of his right leg and his foot he also sent a notarized affidavit to the Army Board stating, “Sgt. Barfield shielded me with his own body and I consider him my ‘savior.' I believe he should have the highest award this country has to offer.”
In late 1999 Bob received another affidavit from retired attorney Bernard Sarishon of New York who was a company clerk during the time of the battle. It stated in the affidavit, “I was asked by Lieutenant Cardenas (company commander at the time) to write a draft of his request for a “Medal of Honor” for Sergeant Barfield. I wrote and typed the recommendation and personally handed it to him.” I firmly believe that Mr. Barfield deserves the “Medal of Honor”.
In September of 2000, Bob, retired Major Hotelling and Bernard Sarishon appeared in person before the Awards Board. They read the above statements to the members of the board.
About a month later Bob was informed by the Awards Board that there was “insufficient evidence to award the “Medal of Honor” to him and instead awarded the “Silver Star.”
The “Silver Star” award is a very prestigious award but it does not require eyewitness statements.
My husband was credited with going above and beyond the call of duty to rescue four of his fellow soldiers, while killing many of the enemy. He has 3 eyewitness affidavits to his deeds, and one affidavit from a soldier who confirmed that he did indeed write a recommendation for the “Medal of Honor” for Bob sometime on or about June 15, 1953. He also has a recommendation from his ex-company commander recommending that his “Silver Star” award be upgraded to the “Medal of Honor.”
Not only did Theodore Roosevelt not have any witnesses to his supposed deeds, at the same time that President Clinton awarded the medal to Roosevelt, he awarded a “Medal of Honor” to a Civil War veteran, a Corporal Andrew Smith, one hundred and thirty seven years later! Mr. Smith was awarded the “Medal of Honor” for carrying the colors after the flag bearer was shot down. Though a noble deed was it any nobler than my husband's? I don't think so! Besides, did Corporal Smith have the required two eyewitnesses?
John 15:13 states, “Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life his friends.” It's time to stop the politics and give my husband his rightful due, the “Medal of Honor.”
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