Justin Taylor

This is MoH recipient John W. Comfort

Prior to World War I, the Medal of Honor was a very common award to be given, largely because there were no other medals available. Today the citations of awardees read like heroic action movie scripts.

John Comfort's citation simply reads "Ran down and killed an Indian"

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 1,216



@Twangaming

For contrast, this is the end of the citation for a distant relative of mine who earned it: “Sgt. Yntema then continued to repulse the attacking Viet Cong attempting to overrun his position until, out of ammunition and surrounded, he was offered the opportunity to surrender. Refusing, Sgt. Yntema stood his ground, using his rifle as a club to fight the approximately 15 Viet Cong attempting his capture. His resistance was so fierce that the Viet Cong were forced to shoot in order to overcome him. Sgt. Yntema's personal bravery in the face of insurmountable odds and supreme self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself, the 1st Special Forces, and the U.S. Army.”

3 weeks ago | 244

@History_Coffee

Permanently banned from all call centers now I'd imagine

3 weeks ago | 352

@isaacdoggart4879

Even in WWII there were a couple which seem like propaganda purposes likely played a significant part, Eugene Fluckey himself said in his book he didn't think he deserved his and TBH I would tend to agree given what it was for. A 5th navy cross, probably, a 5th PUC for barb, definitely but going into very shallow water, sinking a ton of stuff and then leaving basically without ever getting shot at is, though very effective, a bit of an outlier as far as the MOH goes. Then you get one of the other submarine captains Howard Gilmore who ordered his boat to submerge with himself on the bridge a part of his citation reads "In the terrific fire of the sinking gunboat's heavy machine guns, Comdr. Gilmore calmly gave the order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the fusillade of bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living moments, Comdr. Gilmore gave his last order to the officer of the deck, "Take her down.""

3 weeks ago | 31

@MORSEBOY2

Sgt major Gerber is one of my favorites because he got not for one single event but due to his time in service accomplishments

3 weeks ago | 16

@jasonfitzpatrick2197

Ran after him waving a smallpox blanket shouting ‘hey you dropped this’

3 weeks ago | 23

@Slava22222

I'm holding myself from cracking a joke about London and mopeds. 😕

3 weeks ago (edited) | 75

@omarrp14

I think we should make a clear separation between pre ww1 medal of honors and post. Reading some of the old citations really cheapens the medal when compared to the heroism displayed during WW2 or Vietnam for example. I don’t think many people would agree with revoking the old MOH’s. But maybe changing the name of old ones would be fine. Of course some of those old citations are just as deserving as 20th century or modern citations, and they should keep that honor. In fact around WW1 a board was set up to review and revoke a bunch of old MOH’s

3 weeks ago | 9

@chriscomp20

Dang, the comments on this post have insane estranged divorced dad doubling down energy.

3 weeks ago | 39

@Eskeletor_210

My Apache ancestors are seething, even though this might’ve been from the Dakotas

3 weeks ago | 9

@rocko7711

Thank you for the history lesson

3 weeks ago | 7

@Thegoob1201

I wanna say he was 4th cav regiment. We have his name and citation on the wall of our squadron HQ

3 weeks ago | 1

@Drofthechalice

Stunning and brave

3 weeks ago | 0

@BeetleBuns

ah yes, before he invented Comfort we were all miserable. He is well deserving of that medal

3 weeks ago | 9

@calebbrown6735

Thank you for your service. Now heres your 2025 war crime charge.

3 weeks ago | 41

@SaturdayAgain

"...who was washing laundry."

3 weeks ago | 0

@theodorebear6714

You're gonna have to actually do something honorable to get the Medal of Honor these days.

3 weeks ago | 4

@AK-Jeffy7

Well, there were a few other medals in the early 1900's prior to WWI, but those were mostly campaign medals

3 weeks ago | 1

@雪狐fluffy

Card Status: REDEEMED

3 weeks ago | 9

@victorwagner2423

In this political climate? That's brave.

3 weeks ago | 9

@oz_jones

I felt bad for laughing

3 weeks ago | 3