If you work in the private sector, you might not think the words "courageous" and "logisticians" belong in the same sentence. But if you're in military logistics, then you undoubtedly see the connection.
The top brass at the Pentagon see it, too. That's why in July, the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army unveiled a memorial at the military headquarters that honors logisticians who have been awarded the Medal of Honor since World War II. The medal, which recognizes unusual courage and heroism, has been awarded to six logisticians since that war. Three received it for service during WWII, one during the Korean War, and two during the Vietnam War.
The stories of the six logisticians are remarkable indeed. Just one example: During the Korean War, Lt. Col. John U.D. Page of the 52d Transportation Truck Battalion chose to stay and assist an isolated signal station even though his assignment had ended. In just two weeks in the winter of 1950, Page rescued his driver by breaking up an ambush; created a tactical unit using soldiers trapped with a Marine unit; exposed himself to enemy fire so casualties could be evacuated; and twice manned a machine gun on the rear deck of a tank and drove the enemy back. Turning down a second opportunity to reach safety, Page returned to assist a departing convoy. When he charged the enemy ahead of the convoy, he was mOréally wounded during hand-to-hand combat.
"I feel very deeply about the heroics that these logisticians demonstrated," said Lt. Gen. Mitchell H. Stevenson, the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, in his address at the unveiling of the memorial. "I think it is important that we tell their story of service and sacrifice."
To read all six stories and see photos of the memorial display, click here.
Wreaths Across America