Political Quotes

“On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced S. 82 in the United States Senate, a bill designed to ``promote the efficiency of the Navy'' by authorizing the production and distribution of ``medals of honor''. On December 21 the bill was passed, authorizing 200 such medals be produced ``which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and Marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantly in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war.'' President Lincoln signed the bill, and the Medal of Honor was born. The first Medal of Honor was the Navy Medal of Honor. Raymond Murphy was a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps when he risked his life and went above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander in action against the enemy. Although painfully wounded by fragments from an enemy mortar shell while leading his evacuation platoon, Second Lieutenant Murphy refused medical aid and continued to lead his men up a hill through hostile mortar and small-arms fire, while shouting words of encouragement to his men.”