by Hap Rocketto
When I first began filling out what seemed like a never ending series of card stock 10 ½ by eight inch DA Form 1344s, the official name of which is “Entry and Score Card for NBRP Individual Service Rifle Match” there was an old wives tale existing that there were more individuals who were authorized to wear the Medal of Honor than those who had pinned on a Distinguished Badge.
What gave the story a patina of truth was that Army Regulations dealt with the possession of both awards in a similar manner. Each was to be held ready for inspection at anytime by competent authority. It made sense as the Medal of Honor is an award to be protected and, in those days, the Distinguished Badge was real gold.
The powers that be probably held that George Washington’s apocryphal statement, “Enlisted men are stupid, but extremely cunning and sly, and bear
considerable watching” was true. They certainly didn’t want a hard holding, but poorly paid and thirsty trooper, pawning or selling such a valuable award to slake his thirst at the sutler’s canteen.
It turned out that there was another kernel of truth in the rumor. At the time, when there were more than 3,000 Medal of Honors awarded, civilians combined for a less than a thousand rifle and pistol Badges. So, in that sense, there were more Medal of Honor recipients than Distinguished Riflemen and Pistol shots, if only civilians were counted.
There are only four men, known to me, who are authorized to wear both the nation’s highest award for valor and marksmanship skills. One hot July day in 1872 a small detachment Company F of the 5th United States Calvary was engaged by 40 Apaches. Private John Nihill was detailed to cover the group’s withdrawal, an action for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Nihill continued his military career and in 1882 earned a place on the Department of the Platte Rifle Team. Three years later he was awarded the Distinguished Marksman Badge, making him the first recipient of both awards.
Sergeant Benjamin Brown, of Company C 24th United States Infantry, was part of an escort protecting Paymaster Major Joseph W. Wham on May 11, 1889 in the Arizona Territory. Between Fort Grant and Fort Thomas, near Cedar Springs, they were attacked by bandits and in the ensuing battle Brown was shot through the abdomen. He continued his spirited defense of the payroll until wounded through both arms. For his actions he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He earned Distinguished Marksmen designation in 1890, and three years later the Cleveland Gazette, in the February 18, 1893, edition reported that he was one of the best marksmen in the Army.
Nearly a half century later, on the night of September 12, 1942, Marine Colonel Merritt Edson deployed his Raider Battalion, the Marine’s First Parachute Battalion, and some engineers and artillery crews along a ridgeline a mile south of Henderson Airfield on the hotly contested island of Guadalcanal and had them dig in. “Red Mike” Edson was no stranger to either combat or rifle shooting. During the 1920s and 1930s he won a Navy Cross fighting the Sandinistas in Nicaragua during the “Banana Wars” and a Distinguished Marksman Badge on various rifle ranges. His leadership skills were also evident as he took over a mediocre 1929 Marine Rifle Team and won back to back National Championships with it in 1930 and 1931.
Over the next two nights some 3,500 battle hardened Japanese infantry fell upon the thinly manned Marine lines for six major assaults. The enemy was so close that aircraft took off from Henderson Field, dropped their bombs, and landed, never having enough time to raise their landing gear. Edson’s conduct of the defense exhibited tactical expertise, command presence, and personal courage for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The Japanese commander at Tarawa, Admiral Meicho Shibasaki, said that “a million Americans couldn’t take Tarawa in 100 years”. Fourteen months after Edson’s stand on Guadalcanal Marines under Colonel David Monroe Shoup would prove Shibasaki wrong, but at a terrible price.
After having his landing craft shot out from underneath him, getting wounded, and wading through the surf like most of the rest of his troops he took command of all troops ashore, rallying the ragged survivors of the first waves on the beach. Shoup’s brilliant performance was recognized by the award of the Medal of Honor.
Shoup had shot pistol for the Marines in the 1930s and had earned two legs. After the war, as a senior colonel he knew his opportunity to participate in major competition in the future would be slim. Determined to earn his last leg he found enough free time in his busy schedule to brush up his skills with the service pistol. His work ethic paid off and he pinned on the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge in 1946.
By a twist of fate Shoup was relived on Tarawa by a more senior colonel named Merritt Edson.
Any member of the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, or Air Force who is awarded the Medal of Honor is truly distinguished, however Nihill, Brown, Edson, and Shoup are just a bit more Distinguished than the rest.
