Published: July 04, 2009 07:10 pm      

Here’s why they’re our highest traditions

Most of what follows was written by someone else, and I have either quoted directly from it or condensed it in the interest of brevity.

• U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonah Edward Kelley graduated from Keyser High School. His unit became involved in house-to-house fighting at the village of Kesternich, Germany, on Jan. 30, 1945, during World War II:

“He led his men through intense mortar and small arms fire in repeated assaults on barricaded houses. Although twice wounded, once when struck in the back, the second time when a mortar shell fragment passed through his left hand and rendered it practically useless, he refused to withdraw and continued to lead his squad after hasty dressings had been applied.

“His serious wounds forced him to fire his rifle with one hand, resting it on rubble or over his left forearm. To blast his way forward with hand grenades, he set aside his rifle to pull the pins with his teeth while grasping the missiles with his good hand. Despite these handicaps, he created tremendous havoc in the enemy ranks.

“He rushed one house, killing three of the enemy and clearing the way for his squad to advance. On approaching the next house, he was fired upon from an upstairs window. He killed the sniper with a single shot and similarly accounted for another enemy soldier who ran from the cellar of the house. As darkness came, he assigned his men to defensive positions, never leaving them to seek medical attention.

“At dawn the next day, the squad resumed the attack, advancing to a point where heavy automatic and small arms fire stalled them. Despite his wounds, S/Sgt. Kelley moved out alone, located an enemy gunner dug in under a haystack and killed him with rifle fire. He returned to his men and found that a German machine gun, from a well-protected position in a neighboring house, still held up the advance.

“Ordering the squad to remain in comparatively safe positions, he valiantly dashed into the open and attacked the position single-handedly through a hail of bullets. He was hit several times and fell to his knees when within 25 yards of his objective; but he summoned his waning strength and emptied his rifle into the machinegun nest, silencing the weapon before he died.”

• U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. William Edward Shuck Jr. graduated from Ridgeley High School. His platoon assaulted a strongly fortified enemy position and was subjected to heavy artillery and small-arms fire on July 3, 1952, during the Korean War.

“S/Sgt. Shuck, although painfully wounded, refused medical attention and continued to lead his machine gun squad in the attack. Unhesitatingly assuming command of a rifle squad when the leader became a casualty, he skillfully organized the two squads into an attacking force and led two more daring assaults upon the hostile positions. Wounded a second time, he steadfastly refused evacuation and remained in the foremost position under heavy fire until assured that all dead and wounded were evacuated.

“Mortally wounded by an enemy sniper bullet while voluntarily assisting in the removal of the last casualty, S/Sgt. Shuck, by his fortitude and great personal valor in the face of overwhelming odds, served to inspire all who observed him. His unyielding courage throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

• U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert W. Hartsock lived in Flintstone. His base camp came under rocket and mortar fire on Feb. 23, 1969, during the Vietnam War:

“S/Sgt. Hartsock and his platoon commander spotted an enemy sapper squad which had infiltrated the camp undetected. Realizing the enemy squad was heading for the brigade tactical operations center and nearby prisoner compound, they concealed themselves and, although heavily outnumbered, awaited the approach of the hostile soldiers.

“When the enemy was almost upon them, S/Sgt. Hartsock and his platoon commander opened fire on the squad. As a wounded enemy soldier fell, he managed to detonate a satchel charge he was carrying. S/Sgt. Hartsock, with complete disregard for his life, threw himself on the charge and was gravely wounded. In spite of his wounds, S/Sgt. Hartsock crawled about 5 meters to a ditch and provided heavy suppressive fire, completely pinning down the enemy and allowing his commander to seek shelter. S/Sgt. Hartsock continued his deadly stream of fire until he succumbed to his wounds.”

• U.S. Army Capt. Humberto Roque “Rocky” Versace was born in Honolulu of Puerto Rican descent. His unit engaged Viet Cong troops on Oct. 29, 1963, during the Vietnam War. Although severely wounded, he continued to fight until he had fired the last of his ammunition and was captured:

“Taken prisoner by the Viet Cong, he exemplified the tenets of the Code of Conduct from the time he entered into Prisoner of War status. Captain Versace assumed command of his fellow American soldiers, scorned the enemy's exhaustive interrogation and indoctrination efforts, and made three unsuccessful attempts to escape, despite his weakened condition which was brought about by his wounds and the extreme privation and hardships he was forced to endure. During his captivity, Captain Versace was segregated in an isolated prisoner of war cage, manacled in irons for prolonged periods of time, and placed on extremely reduced ration.

“The enemy was unable to break his indomitable will, his faith in God, and his trust in the United States of America. Captain Versace, an American fighting man who epitomized the principles of his country and the Code of Conduct, was executed by the Viet Cong on 26 September 1965.”

As he was being taken away to be killed, Versace was heard singing “God Bless America” at the top of his lungs. His remains have never been recovered, but there is a monument to him in Arlington National Cemetery, and I have seen it.

Kelley, Shuck, Hartsock and Versace are posthumous recipients of the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration for valor.

I have quoted from their medal citations so you could see what only four people out of many have done so we could spend yesterday celebrating the Fourth of July as free men and women.

God Bless America, and Happy Birthday. Welcome Home!