This story broke last Wednesday, but I wanted to chronicle
it here, where my grand-kids might see it someday. It’s a story of sacrifice and
heroism unheralded for decades. And even now, when the long overdue honors have
begun to emerge, there is still one last roadblock between full recognition for
this man. And it appears that this roadblock is permanent; being the decision
of the Armed Forces, who are the final arbiters in cases such as this.
Lt. Garlin Murl Conner, from Kentucky was the 2nd
most decorated soldier of the Second World War. He earned 4 Silver Stars, 4
Bronze Stars, 7 Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Service Cross while engaged
in combat for 28 months. It was during the last part of his service that he won
the DSC.
The actual wording of the citation explains that on January 24, 1945
near Houssen, France, he left his comfortable berth at the military hospital where
he had been convalescing from a hip wound in order to rejoin his comrades. Had
he not taken this action he would have been returned home to Kentucky.
When he arrived back at the front he unrolled a coil of
telephone wire and took up a position in a ditch. From that vantage point he
began to relay the coordinates for artillery fire on the German positions. He did
this for 3 straight hours, even as the German troops came within 5 yards of his
“nest.” 5 yards, 15 feet. That’s about as long as your average living room.
The original application for the upgrade from the DSC to
the Medal of Honor was initiated by Mr. Conner’s widow, Pauline Conner, in the
late 1990’s. The application was rejected at that time on the grounds that no
new evidence had surfaced to support the claim. This was upheld on appeal in
2000.
By 2006 Pauline Conner had found 3 eyewitness accounts
which met the criteria for the upgrade, which is very rare. Only 178 recipients
of the DSC have had their awards upgraded to the Medal of Honor since 1917.
When the evidence was finally presented to the court in 2008 it was rejected on
the grounds that the statute of Limitations had expired on the case in 2006.
This is a sad example of how the government doesn’t
really take care of its’ veterans. They never did. Just take a quick look back
at the Bonus Army March during the early 1930’s. These men were asking that the
bonus promised them for their service in the First World War be paid 10 years
early due to the pressing economic conditions of the Depression.
They were so destitute that they camped out in
Washington, vowing not to leave until the Bonus legislation was passed. They
were gassed, beaten and even shot by some of the very officers whom they had
served under during the war. Officers like Eisenhower, Patton and MacArthur
were all on hand to kick the men when they were down. Amid tear gas and
gunshots, the once proud veterans were run out of the seat of the very
government which they had once fought to preserve.
And now, even as the press is filled daily with stories
about the shortcomings of veteran’s services in the wake of the last 2 wars; in
Iraq and Afghanistan; we see the same attitude in the case of Mr. Conner and
his long overdue decoration.
In spite of the backing from members of Congress, the
Senate, and fellow veterans, the request by his widow; who has been waging this
fight on behalf of her now deceased husband for over 17 years; a federal judge
in Kentucky now seems to be getting the final word. Mr. Conner will not now; or
ever; receive the award which he so clearly deserved.
The message is loud and clear; “Uncle Sam Needs You”. He
just doesn’t care about you when he’s done.
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