You know I never liked the slogan "Army of One". I always thought of
military service as a "Team Effort". In Art's case there was a whole lot of
guys who helped make sure Art was able to put "Bombs on target" Fuelers,
bomb loaders, mechanics, electricians radiomen, supply clerks, medics, cooks
and a whole lot of others I can't think of right now. I'm sure 99% would be
willing to put the lives on the line but unfortunately for them the military
decided they were needed in the "Rear with the Gear". As it is I'm sure a
couple of ME-262's could have come by Art's air strip and "made their Day"
with a couple of 500Lb'ers and they'd be just as dead as a MoH winner.

Being awarded a medal is often a case of being in the right place and doing
what you were trained to do. "Snuffy" Smith come to mind. Does the guy who
spends his whole military career preparing for war but never sees it deserve
less respect than someone who happened to be in the right place at the right
time?

"ArtKramr" wrote in message
...
If I met two soldiers, one had the Bronze Star but no CIB or battle stars,
the
other had the Combat Infantry Badge but no Bronze Star, I would
immediaetly
give the higher respect to the man with the CIB. Men who have been in
battle
vvould always have higher place of honor than those who have never been in
battle.

If I met a high ranking officer with the Bronze Star but no battle
stars and
a sgt. with the Air Medal but no Bronze Star, the greater honor goes to
the man
with the Air Medal. Battle honors go above all other honors..

Arthur Kramer
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer