Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Salem Government #14C: Medal of Honor Memorial

IMG_8261 Oregon Medal of Honor Memorial at the Veterans' Building in Salem, Oregon on August 12, 2007
Medal of Honor Memorial on August 12, 2007

The Medal of Honor is the highest distinction which can be awarded to a member of the armed forces of the United States. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress to an individual who while serving in the armed forces distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

IMG_8265 Oregon Medal of Honor Memorial at the Veterans' Building in Salem, Oregon on August 12, 2007
Medal of Honor Memorial on August 12, 2007

The Medal of Honor Memorial was dedicated in 1984. It is the oldest monument that was originally placed on this site. In addition to the monument, the memorial also includes the cedar trees behind it, each of which represents one of Oregon's Medal of Honor recipients. With the trees, the Medal of Honor Memorial is by far the largest of the memorials at the Veterans' Building. The monument is a replica of the Oregon State Monument in the Medal of Honor Grove Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The monument was cut from a block of granite which served as a step leading to the Oregon State Capitol Building. The step was removed during construction of additions in 1975.

IMG_8269 Oregon Medal of Honor Memorial at the Veterans' Building in Salem, Oregon on August 12, 2007
Medal of Honor Memorial on August 12, 2007

In 1984, Oregon had 11 known Medal of Honor recipients. At the time, two of Oregon's early recipients, Lewis Phife and Frank C. High, were not known. Their names were added to the monument later. (Interestingly, Frank C. High received his Medal of Honor in 1899 for charging across a burning bridge under heavy fire in the Philippines with 21 other soldiers. One of those 21 others was fellow Medal of Honor recipient from Oregon Marcus W. Robertson, who received his medal for the same action, and was known in 1984.)

IMG_8262 Oregon Medal of Honor Memorial at the Veterans' Building in Salem, Oregon on August 12, 2007
Medal of Honor Memorial on August 12, 2007

OREGON
MEDAL OF HONOR
ROLL

CPT EDWARD C. ALLWORTH USA
SP4 LARRY G. DAHL USA
SGT JOHN N. HOLCOMB USA
PFC ARTHUR J. JACKSON USMC
SFC LOREN R. KAUFMAN USA
1LT CHARLES R. KILBOURNE USA
2LT DAVID R. KINGSLEY USAAF
PFC GARY W. MARTINI USMC
PVT MARCUS W. ROBERTSON USA
PFC STUART S. STRYKER USA
1SG MAXIMO YABES USA
SGT LEWIS PHIFE USA
PVT FRANK C. HIGH USA

Continue to 14D: Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial

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