The Last Full Measure of Devotion
In Memorium, Iraq Comments (0)
In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln gave a little-thought-of speech to dedicate a new military cemetary after the Battle of Gettysberg. President Lincoln was not even the keynote speaker on that cold November morning, but despite his own self-effacing statement that “the world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here” we still take note of his short speech. One particular sentence sticks out at me:
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us � that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that, government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith is one such man. He was one who gave that “last full measure of devotion.” His thoughts were not necessarily about the Iraqis to whom he was bringing freedom, but the men under his command and the other soldiers around him. As a result of his devotion to them, Sgt. 1st Class Smith was shot and killed by superior Iraqi forces on 4 April 2003 manning a 50 cal. machine gun while covering the withdrawal of his men from a suddenly vulnerable position between what was then Saddam Hussein International Airport and Baghdad, Iraq. He was the only American to die in that engagement even though they were outnumbered 100 to 16.
Now, he will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who while a member of the Army, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty�
(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.
The Times article goes on to explain:
That oft-heard phrase (“above and beyond the call of duty” – MLC) has a specific meaning: The medal cannot be given to those who act under orders, no matter how heroic their actions. Indeed, according to Library of Congress defense expert David F. Burrelli, it must be “the type of deed which, if he had not done it, would not subject him to any justified criticism.”
If you have a few minutes, you should read the whole story.
MickC @ February 23, 2005