Theodore Roosevelt's Medal of Honor

[@robertcole9391]

One thing not mentioned is when he was shot while giving a speech. Got up, finished the speech, was treated and released and continued to campaign. Tough old bugger if you ask me.

[@jonthinks6238]

His speech papers in his pocket saved his life. 9

[@SynchronizorVideos]

And he didn’t let himself get dragged away by bodyguards, either. He stood up, and told the bystanders to stop beating up Schrank and bring him over so he could look him in the eye and ask why he did it. Ain’t gonna see that happening today. Roosevelt also famously started his subsequent (50-minute) speech with "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot, but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose.”

[@X9SuperSpy]

Just like Trump, right?

[@rayvandenberg4574]

Theodore Roosevelt did not require a medal of honor for proof of honor and courage during his life; that was proven over the span of his entire life and career.

[@dewardroy6531]

Notwithstanding, anyone who campaigns for such an award is unequivocally unworthy of same.

[@jamesbernsen3516]

@@dewardroy6531 What he was campaigning for was fair treatment. The medal was being held up for political reasons, so his friends countered politics with more politics.

[@njpaddler]

Thank you, Lance, for not referring to him as "Teddy", a name he reportedly despised. Those who knew & liked him never spoke that name in his presence. As to his seeking "the glory of war" attitude, his son's death in World War One dispelled that notion forever.

[@SynchronizorVideos]

Yeah, I always make sure to refer to him as Theodore, just to stay on his good side in case he ever comes back somehow. It’s unlikely, but I’d rather play it safe.

[@donalddodson7365]

​@@SynchronizorVideos Interesting point. I believe in the after-life vaguely outlined in Hebrew and Greek Bibles. However, absent are the details. I wonder if reception to Paradise will be like the reception at Fort Ord in 1968: barking Drill Angels, painted spots to stand on, hours of forms, do's and don't's. If Mr. Roosevelt is there, I, too, would not want to be on his "sh*@! list. 😂

[@SynchronizorVideos]

@@donalddodson7365Afterlife is another valid reason to play it safe. Also, your reply has me laughing, imagining Heaven’s version of the Shark Attack.

[@lonnywilcox445]

@@SynchronizorVideos Yes, that is why I always refer to Chuck Norris as Charles. Can't be too safe.

[@flkoolguy]

Theodore Roosevelt is my favorite U.S. President. I was unaware of the "controversy" surrounding his MOH. It doesn't make me think any less of him. He was such a strong American with such a great patriotic spirit.

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

There are many men who deserved the Medal of Honor and there are men who got the award that probably didn't deserve it. I am not in the position to make that judgement. I have known many war veterans who fought bravely, risking their lives to protect their comrades. I don't think that someone who has risked nothing deserves the award. I know that both Theodore Senior and Theodore Junior risked their lives, but there are some that got it just for being a general officer and ordering men to die for their glory.

[@RiverRev]

There is always an element of subjectivity and context in the awarding of any medal. That Roosevelt was a volunteer and untrained soldier officer goes a long way toward approving the award. The level of his bravery, an undeniable character trait, in the situation would only be expected of a twenty year veteran.

[@twshawgo]

My grandfather was a ROUGH RIDER. He was forever sad that he and others were not able to go to Cuba with the first troops. He also was forever proud of his comrades and of being a ROUGH RIDER. Many of them got together many times through the years. I have several of the programs from the events and an old metal that was given to them from TR. BULLY!

[@RetiredSailor60]

Good morning History Guy and everyone watching. I am retiring from the workforce in 18 days!

[@jahyoda]

Congratulations

[@nikevisor54]

Congratulations, sir! Enjoy your time away from the rat race

[@grumpyolman405]

Good for you! Congrats, and enjoy your retirement!!

[@ak9989]

I'm twice retired but back to working again😂.

[@lefty-bw1zp]

Lucky 🍀 you! I’m jealous.

[@seatedliberty]

One thing to remember is that Roosevelt was haunted by what he viewed as the great family shame of his father hiring a substitute to fight for him in the Civil War. Roosevelt (in my opinion) over compensated for this by demonstrating an almost pathological need to prove his valor throughout his life. It is not surprising that he would actively campaign for the Medal of Honor. As to whether it was truly deserved, I don't know, but I am a huge fan of Roosevelt, he is my favorite president, and I am inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[@MDC_1985]

I couldn’t agree more. I love how you not only present the counter argument to your own stance, you present it first. Our brains must be wired the same.

[@johndecker9983]

I think it's because if you are not critical about your own stance/thoughts on things, you haven't considered them long enough to form your own opinion? That's just my 2 cents, not sure if it makes sense though.

[@leemarohn7496]

Agreed on all counts. Even disregarding all of the more outlandish stories about TR, he's still my favorite president.

[@CarlEvans-t6h]

Well said and me o. The three best Presidents ever: Washington, Teddy and Ronald Reagan. Trump is closing the gap.

[@Mag_Aoidh]

My favorite President but hard to comprehend someone campaigning for an award of that magnitude. Things were different back then I guess.

[@patpatterson12]

Smedley Butler was awarded TWO Medals, along with lesser fruit salad. (His daddy was in congress, holding an important position.) He tried to return the first one, but was told to shut up and wear the Medal.

[@rudydevich9046]

He was a goof that dared not criticize the government until he GOT HIS FIRST RETIREMENT CHECK

[@roberthudson1959]

Nineteen men have received the Medal of Honor twice. There are actually three Medals of Honor, one for each department within the Department of Defense, and five of the double recipients were Marines who received the Army and Navy Medals for the same action.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

T.R. is still to this day; the only one to have been awarded the Medal of Honor and Nobel Peace Prize.

[@ObservingtheObvious]

Have you ever read “The Imperial Cruise”?? Did not deserve the peace prize. Perhaps didn’t deserve the MOH either.

[@michaeleasterwood6558]

Wron and wrong again​@@ObservingtheObvious

[@ObservingtheObvious]

@@michaeleasterwood6558 Unfortunately, you are the one that is misinformed. You need to brush up beyond revisionist history that paints such a glowing picture of Theodore Roosevelt. During his time it was commonly taught in schools white supremacy. All other races were inferior. Why don’t you look into how many lives taken by the US forces during his administration. The US killed far more Filipinos than the Spanish ever did whom supposedly we were liberating.

[@ObservingtheObvious]

@@michaeleasterwood6558 Also, any medal of honor winner does not seek the medal; it is granted him. Typically most all will say they don’t deserve it any more than anybody else they fought beside and typically thought those that died deserved it more. TR sought to receive the award to further his political aspirations. Oh, and concerning his “peace negotiations“ he favored the Russians, who lost and basically told the Japanese they should be happy that they won, and that should be enough. In that damn age, those who fought in wars that lost usually paid reparations for covering those that lost loved ones during the war. Roosevelt negotiated only on the side of the white people and not the Japanese. And although this didn’t happen during Roosevelts administration, the US kicked in the door for trade with Japan. Also took the Hawaiian islands from the reigning monarch.

[@robertjensen1438]

Back in the 1800's, cowboys hung lanterns from their saddles at night. It's the first example of Saddle Light Navigation.

[@skoomasteve6144]

Oh that's a good one

[@seatedliberty]

That is fantastically terrible. I love it.

[@frankdodgee]

😂

[@johndecker9983]

This joke would take a lot of lead up today. But it's still gold 😂

[@overodog]

Pooh.

[@skoomasteve6144]

I had no idea Theodore earned the Medal Of Honor. That's so cool.

[@jamesbernsen3516]

His son (1944) actually got the MoH before he did (2001).

[@HVACSoldier]

It’s kind of arrogant to think that you are entitled to receive the Medal of Honor.

[@nordan00]

@@HVACSoldierExactly!

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

How about earning the Medal of honor and a Nobel Peace prize?

[@allenatkins2263]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Yasser Arafat was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, so I don't hold that in high regard.

[@samhavoc1066]

The medal of honor awarding criteria was not as stringent then as it is now. I give him more credit for trying to get the troops ill with yellow fever and malaria sent home for care.

[@hhale]

On the other hand, there were only two medals awarded for bravery or valor in 1898: The Medal of Honor and the Certificate of Merit. So the fact he wasn't awarded either one is a bit suspect.

[@michaelbatson1879]

Roosevelt's uncle on his mother's side was a man named James Dunwoody Bulloch. Bulloch was the CSA's chief foreign agent in Great Britain during the Civil War. He is chiefly known for obtaining ships from English shipbuilders that were used as commerce raiders by the Confederate Navy, an example which was the CSS Alabama.

[@elcastorgrande]

Given Roosevelt's political connections, the award has to remain controversial. How many ordinary soldiers and NCOs never got the awards they deserved? As for officers, I myself personally know of an award (not the MOH) to an officer who did not deserve it.

[@nordan00]

I know of many I personally served with. Remember, it’s almost a competition among commanders to be able to brag about how many members of their unit got awards and decorations. These days, you can be considered for a decoration if you took a shit under fire!

[@MDC_1985]

Good for you.

[@rudydevich9046]

I got the gcm I did my absolute best not to earn.

[@jeanne-marie8196]

Thanks for the Teddy Roosevelt Medal of Honor video. I’d love to see a video on why a third of recipients had the medal taken away

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thank you!

[@roberthudson1959]

When the Medals of Honor were introduced, they were the only decorations awarded by the US military. That meant both a lot of awards for meritorious non-combat service, as well as awards to civilians including W.F. Cody and Dr. M.E. Walker. The revocations refocused the Medals on military personnel who displayed gallantry while placing their lives at risk. The Army Medals of Honor awarded to Cody and Walker were both revoked, then restored.

[@daveyoder9231]

TR's horse was "Little Texas ". Both he and Winston Churchill sought battlefield distinction based on the same Victorian values.

[@jme36053]

Those who clamor for a specific military award are usually unworthy of it. Let one’s peers have a deciding vote and they will look up to the awardee as deserving of it.

[@ElValuador]

The ideals of duty, responsibility and obligation are almost not taught at all today. It’s truly a different world.

[@eddierudolph8702]

And a sadder one because of that.

[@skoomasteve6144]

So true my fellow

[@sexyshadowcat7]

Forcing people to go die in a meatgrinder for 3 generations probably had a hand in it. No one really wants to go die for some rich guy who doesn't give a shit about anything other than his own wealth and power.

[@jamesvandemark2086]

Depends on one's family, now. And enlisting in the Army is a good beginning.

[@ElValuador]

@@jamesvandemark2086 Not with what the army’s currently teaching the recruits. There’s a reason all branches of the military are well below recruitment goals.

[@tomhalla426]

Theodore Roosevelt tended to draw strong opinions, and it is generally agreed he was nominated for Vice President to get him out of office as New York governor (McKinley’s first vice president had died in office).

[@stubstoo6331]

Republicans put him in as vice president, because Teddy even scared them.. They thought that would give him no power. LMAO didn't work out to well for his political enemies.

[@shawnr771]

Thank you for the lesson.

[@coling3957]

its interesting that there were so many MOH winners in US Army holding high rank... a similar situation was happening in the British army in same era where a noticeable number of generals were Victoria Cross winners ( a rarely awarded medal , even in world wars ) . but courageous and swash-buckling junior officers don't always make great generals

[@nclarke372]

As a 24 year Vet I say that his insistence that he deserved the Medal of Honor tells me that he didn't.

[@garyedwards3269]

Theodore Roosevelt should have gotten the medal of honor not only for his military daring but for finishing a presidential speech with an assassin's bullet still fresh in him. Theodore epitomized American courage and never wavered from standing directly in harm's way and drawing fire away from others. Another medal on his chest was just gilding the lily...and everyone knew it, including himself, which is why he refused to include himself as a recipient and agreeing with the military's decision not to award him the medal. Besides...his kind of character always needs a greater goal to aim for... Another hill to attack.

[@charlayned]

He deserved it, if nothing else but for the way he lead during the war and the stuff he did afterward. Side note: my youngest daughter, a fan of Theodore Roosevelt, named our last grandson Theodore after him. Theo is now 5 and in kindergarten.

[@tomhardin2761]

Here's a piece of history for you: Teddy Roosevelt was the only US soldier to be awarded a medal of honor based on the recommendation of a Confederate general. Joe Wheeler was a Confederate general.

[@jamielancaster01]

To ask for it and demand it is not honorable.

[@CommercialForest]

Shafter’s horse 🐴 deserved a Medal of Honor 🥇

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Lol had to be a draft horse, because he’d have to have been drafted to take that job.

[@CommercialForest]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Certainly!

[@tolvaer]

once again, thank you sir.

[@stevebarlow3310]

A minor point: Teddy Roosvelt, Jr. was the only American General on Utah Beach as far as I know, however, Normand Cota, landed on Omaha and played an important role in getting the troop off the beach and through the Atlantic Wall. Roosevelt arrived in the first wave at Utah beach, while Cota came in the second wave.

[@MatthewSchuller]

Living on Long Island, Theodore Roosevelt is definitely a favored and favorite son. As a scouting family, our local Boy Scout council is called Theodore Roosevelt Council and as a Freemason, his lodge is here in Nassau County and is still an active lodge.

[@randywise5241]

"War is politics by other means".

[@jd.3493]

Completely different context there bud

[@hobbyfarmer62]

As long as it was awarded I guess he deserved it but cases like his also played a part in reforming the process to what it now is. Today unless 2 person minimum actually see your actions your done no matter how many letters others write. Of course that means some who are truly deserving never get it.

[@jamesbernsen3516]

If we're going to talk about Medals of Honor that were given out for politics, let's talk about Veracruz. Woodrow Wilson (TR's nemesis) stumbled into an invasion of Mexico through his incompetence, and occupied Veracruz. The battle that ensued resulted in the deaths of 21 Americans. However nearly 3 times as many - 56 men - were awarded the medal of honor. I strongly suspect the awards were given to deflect blame from the president for what was basically a blunder. Any discussion of righting wrongs on over-awarding the medal should include a discussion of Veracruz. And once that's done, let's go ahead and strip that Silver Star from LBJ.

[@JPD1966]

The father of a friend of mine was in Naval Intelligence and asked for LBJ's personnel file. He told me in the 1980s that LBJ got the Silver Star for not messing his drawers when the Japanese plane attacked the one he was on.

[@samuelsullivan9546]

One thing people don't know is that until WW1 the only medal available was the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star were created in 1918 and the Bronze Star not until WWII.

[@tjh44961]

@@samuelsullivan9546 Not true. The Purple Heart was instituted in 1782. If you're speaking of medals for gallantry in action, you may be correct.

[@jamesbernsen3516]

@@JPD1966 It's even worse than that. The plane didn't even get to the site of the battle, but turned around with an engine problem. The write-up mentioned the attack, but didn't include that detail, so it looked like LBJ endured combat, which he did not. And he was the only person on the plane who got a medal. He was a congressman on a fact-finding mission who got a commission as a Lieutenant Commander and did nothing in the war other than war tourism.

[@mmburgess11]

He may well have been more proud to have a nuclear aircraft carrier named after him. I think it is a more fitting tribute to the kind of person he was.

[@SynchronizorVideos]

Dude was a big proponent of a strong navy. I bet he would have loved supercarriers. On a related note, Roosevelt was the first person to have held the office of US President, and flown in an aircraft. In 1910 he famously took a ride in a Wright Flyer.

[@mmburgess11]

@@SynchronizorVideos Wow..very cool I didn't know that.

[@timheasley612]

My friend's great grandfather fought with Roosevelt in the ruff riders and he has the flag that flew over the battle field they fly it on the fourth of July God bless America ❤️💪👍😎

[@57WillysCJ]

I have read Harding's Notes of a War Corespondent and I don't think he did any more than a reporter embedded with a group today. The fact that he worked for Hearst got his articles in front of a lot of people. He has a lot of good comments on the soldiers he met even if they were wounded and passing back down the hill. As for Roosevelt there was a lot of people who did not like him. He had enemies and wasn't going to make more in the camp against him. His son had his detractors in Africa. They couldn't down play his actions at Normandy as there were to many witnesses and he died only a month later so was not a threat politcally.

[@markweinberger4853]

As stated, "Risking life Above & Beyond the Call of Duty" is the criteria for the award....actions such as this must be witnessed and documented for submission. Theodore Roosevelt was one of our greatest Presidents, and no doubt a brave combatant...However, only those who fought with him can attest to whether or not he deserved the award. Often facts get distorted and or forgotten in the fog of war.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

I am far from qualified to opine about the validity of Roosevelt's MOH (As are most all of the others commenting here, though they mostly don't know it). But I will say that Theodore Roosevelt was an extraordinary figure in American history. His career had been one of exceptional excellence, perhaps beginning with his landmark history of the War of 1812, through his service as New York Governor, his actions during the Spanish American War, and and his Presidency. His progressive reforms likely saved the country from popular uprising (as were the reforms of his distant cousin Franklin a couple decades later), and if it were up to me, I'd give him a Presidential Medal of Freedom to go along with his other awards. I do agree in principle that one should not lobby for such awards for themselves. This does damage his eventual receipt of the MOH. But since he abandoned his efforts to receive it, and it was not awarded until the better part of a century after he died, I will not discredit him for receiving it. If there was one Medal Of Honor I would like to see rescinded, it would be the one awarded to Douglas MacArthur, as his poor management of American forces in The Philippines at the start of WWII caused a great setback to our efforts, and possibly caused a longer war in the Pacific theater.

[@brandon7482]

Anybody interested in the Spanish American war, there’s a fraternity called the Sons of Spanish American war Veterans. There’s two types of membership, hereditary, for those who have family members who fought in the war, and associate member for those who are interested in the history. There’s several camps (chapters) throughout the country and also a membership at large option. Once you’re a member, you can purchase an awesome membership certificate and also an awesome membership medal. Camps meet regularly and tend to grave of Spam Am Vets and get headstone for those who don’t have one.

[@grayhatjen5924]

First, thank you for covering this. Georgia Tann was a vile, soulless skinbag. I've been a genealogist for 18 years (including genetic and forensic when each became available) but black market baby rings (as well as orphans of war, think Vietnam and Korea) were an interest of mine all of the way back in the early 90s when I was in high school. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to make it all of the way through this video. Starting this comment actually helped me stick around. Apparently, I still have a lot of anger toward Tann and her cohorts. Again, thank you for covering this and doing so as thoroughly as you did. I think I'm still a fairly new subscriber; i need to look through your other older vids because you've clearly covered similar topics. Great job. Keep up the excellent work. ✌🏻

[@boydlewis8747]

Teddy, What a guy!

[@scotcoon1186]

The roughriders are an example of the most advanced weaponry being held by the people, and not government, prior to the great war. The pair of machine guns they had, were a gift to the unit from Teddy's wealthy aunts. The bean counters would not approve purchase of anything that they felt would lead to "wasting ammunition." It was thought that one was lost to time, until someone noticed one of that model on display at the NRA museum and checked the serial number. It had been on display for years and didn't even know it.

[@donaldfedosiuk1638]

Not THAT surprising, given that the only thing the NRA DOES know is how to cash the checks it gets from Putin.

[@Napoleon1815-l8c]

Theodore Roosevelt was Assistant Secretary of the Navy when the Maine sunk. His cousin, Franklin, held the same position when the Lusitania sunk.

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you and thank you for making content.

[@JJNITROFAN]

If the review board decided that Theodore Roosevelt deserved the MOH, then I concur, since it their duty to weigh details and make that decision. However, I wonder if they look at every case in the light of who the individual was as well as what their actions were. My guess is there are many who have been deserving of the MOH and didn’t get it for a variety of reasons. Of course, many of their cases will never be reviewed.

[@notsoserious0944]

The awarding of the MOH should in no way be controversial. As a Marine officer who was awarded a combat medal noted, the award depends upon so many factors such as witnesses, popularity among fellow soldiers, and an efficient administration, it was really a matter of chance. If there is any doubt, then no. Too many medals are political today with medals being retroactively awarded because of skin color or revoked because the battle is today, considered disgraceful.

[@dragoon6016]

As a huge fan of TR, who is not only one of my favorite presidents, but one of my favorite men in history, I have to disagree with the awarding of the Medal of Honor to him. I don't believe that he distinguished himself any more than some of the other men who did NOT receive the medal for their actions in that little war. I believe it was political, and being awarded so very many years later, I've always thought it cheapened that great medal a bit, and somewhat tarnished the splendid reputation of Mr. Roosevelt. Excellent video, Sir...

[@rogergoodman8665]

In my opinion, any soldier that asks for one or demands one....does not deserve the Medal of Honor regardless of his "clout and stature" in society. All Medal of Honor recipients I'm aware of who were alive when the medal was presented all say the same thing... "I do not deserve this medal but I will wear it and honor it in remembrance of my fellow soldiers who paid the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE for our country" That is what the Medal of Honor means to me.

[@donharrison706]

despite his earlier "reticence" should have been "Despite his earlier reluctance" Reticent means keeping quiet. Reluctance means, in military terms "slow to act"

[@lbatton3732]

No! My sister-in-law’s great grandfather was part of the rough riders. He said it was not a giant war, and most of the Spaniards were gone

[@mattgeorge90]

Another great episode!

[@jamesomalley4556]

He should have got something for the national parks also.

[@jamesbernsen3516]

He got the Medal of Honor and the Nobel Peace Prize. I think he's got enough. :)

[@chuckoaks6756]

He did. A bust on mount Rushmore.

[@jasonpalacios1363]

I heard that Desi Arnaz's great-grandfather fought alongside Theodore Roosevelt marching up the San Juan Hill Cuba.

[@ChrissiX]

love your cufflinks

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

@@ChrissiX thanks! So do I.

[@edm3524]

Thank you, Lance And team Always appreciate your content, Glad when you hit on TR

[@williammckern1442]

Round robin letters were a common way to put many individuals on the record. A letter would be circulated to many recipients in order to acquire signatures. In the original version, which began in France in the 1500s, signatories would add their names in a circle around the outside edge of the body of the letter because that made it difficult for recipients to determine who signed first, and might therefore be a ringleader.

[@edschermerhorn5415]

I don’t think he deserved it using the standard of today. But given that Daniel Sickles was also awarded it for his actions at Gettysburg…I think TR was more deserving! It is interesting to note the other commendations for valor (Bronze Star, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross) that have been established since the Medal of Honor (what is now the highest honor, used to be the only…) Some in the Civil War were award for “capturing” (picking up a fallen) flag….yet Alonso Cushing wouldn’t be honored until 150 years later (a history of him and his family would make a great episode!)

[@ricksosbee3913]

Not gonna say he didnt deserve the Medal, but others, some who didnt come home, deserved it equally or more. As president, he could given them the recognition they deserved.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

It’s interesting to be able to hear a little bit about the men our military bases were named for. Fort Shafter and Fort Leonard Wood being 2 of them. And maybe “ Wheeler” whom Wheeler AFB which “butts” up to Schofield Barracks.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Wheeler field was named after an officer who died in an air crash on Ford island, not Joe Wheeler.

[@goetzliedtke]

The proper name is Fort Lost in the Woods.

[@michaeleasterwood6558]

TR absolutely earned The Medal

[@mikefranklin1253]

Since his name was brought up, Douglas McArthur did far less to be awarded the MOH than Roosevelt did. IMO, riding a horse up a hill, under fire is about as heroic a deed as I can think of especially when you are the one in front.

[@3henry214]

That was really interesting... you would think Roosevelt being awarded the MOH would be mentioned in High School history classes, when talking about his history, but it's not... well,at least not when I was in school. BTW... that's some cool cuff links you have there! So, did he deserve it? I have mixed feelings, but the thing that spoiled it for me is that he acted like a spoiled child being denied a toy, saying "I am entitled to the Medal of Honor, and I want it"

[@tinamclaughlin1991]

Boy, what a battle for the medal of honor, 100 years long!

[@markbonner1139]

His(T.R.'s)MOH WAS TOTALLY POLITICAL & his ACTUALLY writing that he "deserved & wanted" it should've eliminated ANY CHANCE of EVER RECEIVING IT. imo

[@nordan00]

I was awarded a Gold Star on my forehead for coming in first in the 3rd grade spelling bee!

[@shantanusapru]

Fascinating!!

[@blackbuttecruizr]

From what I've read, most living recipients aren't happy with getting the MOH, and some consider it a curse.

[@shed66215]

Some say that about the Victoria Cross too. And unlike the MOH, Victoria Crosses can be sold on, and more than one was to help out that man's family by the recipient himself.

[@jonthinks6238]

Disagree, it comes with a stipend and the receipants children can go to a military academy. Most say they wear it for the others that didn't make it.

[@richardhively171]

TR deserves it....He Always... Always led from the front..a TRUE LEADER.

[@anthonybroton]

Thank you History Guy. I am unworthy of sharing my opinion on whether to award someone or not. I hope the world is under the umbrella I hold.

[@brucelewis9440]

If you need to ask to get the Medal of Honor, you clearly didn’t earn it. It’s for the others WHO WITNESSED the valor to recommend it.

[@victorduny9842]

Roosevelt and his some were the first father/son MOH awardees to earn it while both were in combat. Arthur MacArther’s was while under fire, but Douglas’ was for POLITICS and PROPAGANDA!

[@mikenixon2401]

Well, something I did not know regarding TR. How did I miss this? Personally, I do not think he deserved the Medal of Honor. Thank you for reporting, Lance.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@mikenixon2401 Why?

[@bnthern]

as a veteran of war - I have seen bravery, I have seen fools! at times it is very difficult to tell the differnce - you are trained to react, be ready, but when God deems it some fall for little reason and other remain to clean up, or be honored! as for "Teddy" it is too late for me to tell you what was correct!

[@CaptainJerry-]

I was recommended for the "Soldier's Medal" after puting my life in danger disarming a deranged soldier who was determined to kill our Division General and his staff. The attack that I prevented may or may not have saved the General's life. The medal recommendation was submitted by my Battalion Commander and approved all the way up to the Commanding General (The General who's life I might have saved) and it was down graded to an Army Achievement Medal, a medal the the Battalion Commander could have given me on his own accord. I was told that since the General was in the loop it would look suspicious of him to award such a prestigious medal. Politics are always involved with high ranking awards.

[@jeffbangkok]

Good evening back at the mango farm

[@peterf.prowant9290]

Gen. Dutch Corta also was on the beach on D-Day. Still a good video.

[@worldtraveler930]

Yes on both accounts!!! 🤠👍

[@janhammer4852]

Great show as always

[@scottdurkop3210]

Yes, he deserves the MOH.

[@indigohammer5732]

I only found out about this last week. How strange.

[@elsiestormont1366]

As much as I admire TR, he was truly a remarkable man, I think the decision not to award him the Medal of Honor was the right one, given that the facts of the account were unclear. I would think that there were many others that day who deserved the honor far more than Mr. Roosevelt did, as brave as he obviously was.

[@kizunadragon9]

The only president in our history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. TR was a man among men

[@williampage622]

The fact that TR was advocating for his receipt of the MOH should automatically removed him from consideration.

[@cathyrowe594]

By that logic, any promotion or raise you advocate for yourself at work should automatically remove you from consideration! Nothing wrong with stating your case & it sounds like he accepted the decision without whining.

[@Yogasefski]

Any medal that has the name Congress in it is inherently going to be political. He earned that medal in the 1890’s. He should’ve been given the medal in the 1890’s.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Fair point. But the name of the decoration is actually the Medal of Honor, and Congressional Medal of Honor is a misnomer.

[@RedHeadedTsunami]

I am glad it was awarded in 2001. I had thought that JFK had this award! Interesting.

[@bryanparkhurst17]

I think whether it was 1898 or 2001 I believe that Teddy probably would have very gratefully declined it.

[@AirborneDoc-nb1pe]

There are numerous instances of men arising to the standard of being awarded the CMOH but were denied the award for various reasons. Likewise there are numerous instances of men being awarded the CMOH that did not meet that standard. While I personally believe Roosevelt Sr deserved to be awarded the CMOH it was not President Clinton's responsibility to conduct a review of numerous cases of past heroics and decide that injustice had occurred, and awarding the medal. You left out the fact that the Roosevelts are still an incredibly powerful family in New York politics and Hillary Clinton, wife of President Clinton, both from Arkansas, was running for Senate in New York at the time.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

@@AirborneDoc-nb1pe the hearings in Congress were bipartisan in support. And it is common to review past awards. But I agree, politics was involved.

[@GhostRider-sc9vu]

What is the CMOH? Is it a new "I was there" ribbon? I know of a MOH which is voted by congress and awarded by the Prez. I know of the DSC, the Silver and the Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and even the Good Conduct Medal, but know of no CMOH.

[@clayedwards987]

Medal of Honor, hence MoH. No such thing as CMOH.

[@clayedwards987]

President Carter violated the Combat requirement when he reinstated the Medal of.Honor to a female doctor for a non-combat role merely because she was female. Revoking hers and many of those others was the one good thing Nelson Miles did.

[@victorduny9842]

⁠@@clayedwards987she was Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, who was awarded for her actions in a PRISONER OF WAR, which DOES qualify as combat.

[@joemcmanus79]

YES, He SHOULD have been awarded the Medal in 1898, it was politics, pure and simple, that kept him from receiving it then, AND his receiving it in 2001 was a redress of the insult of 1898!

[@kellybasham3113]

Love your videos

[@thetwentiethman3008]

Having read extensively about the CMH and being a veteran myself; I have far more regard for the CIB.

[@pcarpy7]

Many medals are awarded to commanding officers when the men/women they commanded did all the fighting and dying.

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you History Guy

[@reginaldmason3521]

Mmmmmm, it might be interesting if you did a segment on Doug MacArthur's MOH.

[@guydegregg6869]

Grant deserved the medal far more than T R who many witnesses claim he never charged the hill under fire .

[@skyedog24]

Chasing Geronimo would have been equal to following any special forces/ gorilla tactical unit, it would have been almost impossible. The understanding of the land and everything involved with logistical support was against them.

[@sillyone52062]

Douglas MacArthur's Medal of Honor was a different kettle of fish, and bears looking into.

[@gordonbergslien30]

That's for darn sure!!! Kimmel and Short in Hawaii didn't know the Japanese were coming and they were sacked. MacArthur wrote in his autobiography that he was "sure the Japanese had suffered a great defeat" when informed of the strike on Hawaii. Yet, he refused to order his B-17's to attack Japanese bases on Formosa and wound up getting most of his air force destroyed on the ground. Imho, it seems that getting a MoH depends more on who you know, not what you do. That said, I think TR was deserving.

[@ar4040smith]

Im afraid that none of us, save only those that have received that most prestigious award, could possibly render judgement on this. I can only say that, for me, knowing the history of Roosevelt would agree that he probably deserved it.

[@wacojones8062]

I have the full set of books he wrote I consider his actions worthy of the Medal of Honor as it was at the time the only major award available the Distinguished Service Medal would be a better fit for most of the early awards in including his with one or two Medals of Honor for any one action. Current standards are much tougher. He almost died on a trip to the Amazon Jungle.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

He did, because of an injury from his carriage accident.