On December 9, 1861 Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced S. No. 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 21st 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 gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war (Civil War)." President Lincoln signed the bill and the (Navy) Medal of Honor was born.

  FLORIDA (LIVING) MEDAL OF HONOR RECIEPTANTS  

CAFFERATA, HECTOR A., JR
Rank/Organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 28 Nov. 1950. Entered service at: Dover, N.J. Born: 4 Nov. 1929, New York, N.Y.
CITATION
  For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company F, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When all the other members of his fire team became casualties, creating a gap in the lines, during the initial phase of a vicious attack launched by a fanatical enemy of regimental strength against his company's hill position, Pvt. Cafferata waged a lone battle with grenades and rifle fire as the attack gained momentum and the enemy threatened penetration through the gap and endangered the integrity of the entire defensive perimeter. Making a target of himself under the devastating fire from automatic weapons, rifles, grenades, and mortars, he maneuvered up and down the line and delivered accurate and effective fire against the onrushing force, killing 15, wounding many more, and forcing the others to withdraw so that reinforcements could move up and consolidate the position. Again fighting desperately against a renewed onslaught later that same morning when a hostile grenade landed in a shallow entrenchment occupied by wounded marines, Pvt. Cafferata rushed into the gully under heavy fire, seized the deadly missile in his right hand and hurled it free of his comrades before it detonated, severing part of 1 finger and seriously wounding him in the right hand and arm. Courageously ignoring the intense pain, he staunchly fought on until he was struck by a sniper's bullet and forced to submit to evacuation for medical treatment Stouthearted and indomitable, Pvt. Cafferata, by his fortitude, great personal valor, and dauntless perseverance in the face of almost certain death, saved the lives of several of his fellow marines and contributed essentially to the success achieved by his company in maintaining its defensive position against tremendous odds. His extraordinary heroism throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

DEWEY, DUANE E.
Rank/Organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Near Panmunjon, Korea, 16 April 1952. Entered service at: Muskegon, Mich. Born: 16 November 1931, Grand Rapids, Mich.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a gunner in a machinegun platoon of Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When an enemy grenade landed close to his position while he and his assistant gunner were receiving medical attention for their wounds during a fierce night attack by numerically superior hostile forces, Cpl. Dewey, although suffering intense pain, immediately pulled the corpsman to the ground and, shouting a warning to the other marines around him. bravely smothered the deadly missile with his body, personally absorbing the full force of the explosion to save his comrades from injury or death. His indomitable courage, outstanding initiative, and valiant efforts in behalf of others in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Dewey and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

INGRAM, ROBERT R.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Corpsman with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines against elements of a North Vietnam Aggressor (NVA) battalion in Quang Ngai Province Republic of Vietnam on 28 March 1966.  Petty Officer Ingram accompanied the point platoon as it aggressively dispatched an outpost of an NVA battalion.  The momentum of the attack rolled off a ridge line down a tree covered slope to a small paddy and a village beyond.  Suddenly, the village tree line exploded with an intense hail of automatic rifle fire from approximately 100 North Vietnamese regulars.  In mere moments, the platoon ranks were decimated.  Oblivious to the danger, Petty Officer Ingram crawled across the bullet spattered terrain to reach a downed Marine.  As he administered aid, a bullet went through the palm of his hand.  Calls for "CORPSMAN" echoed across the ridge.  Bleeding, he edged across the fire swept landscape, collecting ammunition from the dead and administering aid to the wounded.   Receiving two more wounds before realizing the third wound was life-threatening, he looked for a way off the race of the ridge, but again he heard the call for corpsman and again, he resolutely answered.  Though severely wounded three times, he rendered aid to those incapable until he finally reached the right flank of the platoon.  While dressing the head wound of another corpsman, he sustained his fourth bullet wound.   From sixteen hundred hours until just prior to sunset, Petty Officer Ingram pushed, pulled, cajoled, and doctored his Marines.  Enduring the pain from his many wounds and disregarding the probability of his demise, Petty Officer Ingram's intrepid actions saved many lives that day.  By his indomitable fighting spirit, daring initiative, and unfaltering dedications to duty, Petty Officer Ingram reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

LITTRELL, GARY LEE
Rank/Organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Advisory Team 21, 11 Corps Advisory Group.  Place and date: Kontum province, Republic of Vietnam, 4-8 April 1970.  Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 26 October 1944, Henderson, Ky.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, 1 advisor, and seriously wounded all the advisors except Sfc. Littrell. During the ensuing 4 days, Sfc Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he single-handedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sfc. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sfc. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sfc. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.

RAY, RONALD ERIC
Rank/Organization: Captain (then 1st Lt.), U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: la Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1966. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 7 December 1941, Cordelle, Ga.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Ray distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader with Company A. When 1 of his ambush patrols was attacked by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company, Capt. Ray organized a reaction force and quickly moved through 2 kilometers of mountainous jungle terrain to the contact area. After breaking through the hostile lines to reach the beleaguered patrol, Capt. Ray began directing the reinforcement of the site. When an enemy position pinned down 3 of his men with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire, he silenced the emplacement with a grenade and killed 4 Viet Cong with his rifle fire. As medics were moving a casualty toward a sheltered position, they began receiving intense hostile fire. While directing suppressive fire on the enemy position, Capt. Ray moved close enough to silence the enemy with a grenade. A few moments later Capt. Ray saw an enemy grenade land, unnoticed, near 2 of his men. Without hesitation or regard for his safety he dove between the grenade and the men, thus shielding them from the explosion while receiving wounds in his exposed feet and legs. He immediately sustained additional wounds in his legs from an enemy machinegun, but nevertheless he silenced the emplacement with another grenade. Although suffering great pain from his wounds, Capt. Ray continued to direct his men, providing the outstanding courage and leadership they vitally needed, and prevented their annihilation by successfully leading them from their surrounded position. Only after assuring that his platoon was no longer in immediate danger did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Capt. Ray has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

 ********** DECEASED HONOREES **********

                 INDIAN WARS                  

VARNUM, CHARLES A (Date of Issue: 22 September 1897)
Rank/Organization: Captain, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At White Clay Creek, S. Dak., 30 December 1890. Entered Service At: Pensacola, Fla. Birth: Troy, N.Y. Date of Issue: 22 September 1897. Captain, Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At White Clay Creek, S. Dak., 30 December 1890. Entered Service At: Pensacola, Fla. Birth: Troy, N.Y.

       PHILIPPINE  INSURRECTION      

CONDON, CLARENCE M - (Date of Issue: 11 March 1902)
Rank/Organization: Sergeant, Battery G, 3d U.S. Artillery. Place and Date: Near Calulut, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 5 November 1899.  Birth: South Brooksville, Maine.

                   WORLD  WAR  I                 

ORMSBEE, FRANCIS EDWARD, JR.
Rank/Organization: Chief Machinist's Mate, U.S. Navy. Place and Date:  Pensacola, Fla., 25 Sept. 1918.  Born: 30 April 1892, Providence, R.l. Accredited to: Florida. G.O. No.: 436, 1918.

                  WORLD  WAR II                  

FEMOYER, ROBERT E.
(Air Mission)
Rank/Organization: Second Lieutenant, 711th Bombing Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over Merseburg, Germany, 2 November 1944. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 31 October 1921, Huntington, W. Va. G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945.

McCAMPBELL, DAVID
Rank/Organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, Air Group 15. Place and Date First and second battles of the Philippine Sea, 19 June 1944. Entered Service at: Florida. Born: 16 January 1 910, Bessemer, Ala. Other Navy Awards: Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Gold Stars, Air Medal.

McGUlRE, THOMAS B., JR.
(Air Mission)
Rank/Organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps, 13th Air Force. Place and Date Over Luzon, Philippine Islands, 2526 December 1944. Entered Service at: Sebring, Fla.. Birth: Ridgewood, N.J. G.O. No.: 24, 7 March 1946.

McTUREOUS, ROBERT MILLER, JR.
Rank/Organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 26 March 1924, Altoona, Florida.

MILLS, JAMES H.
Rank/Organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company F, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and Date Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 24 May 1944. Entered Service at: Fort Meade, Fla. Birth: Fort Meade, Fla. G.O. No.: 87, 14 November 1944.

NININGER, ALEXANDER R., JR.
Rank/Organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts. Place and Date Near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands, 12 January 1942. Entered Service at: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Birth: Gainesville, Ga. G.O. No.: 9, 5 February 1942.

                  KOREAN  WAR                  

BENNETT, EMORY L.
Rank/Organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Sobangsan, Korea, 24 June 1951. Entered service at: Cocoa, Fla. Born: 20 December 1929, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. G.O. No.: 11, 1 February 1952.

LOPEZ, BALDOMERO
Rank/Organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: During Inchon invasion in Korea, 15 September 1950. Entered service at: Tampa, Fla. Born: 23 August 1925, Tampa, Fla.

                VIETNAM  WAR                   

BOWEN, HAMMETT L., JR.
Rank/Organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 27 June 1969. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 30 Nov. 1947, Lagrange, Ga.

CARTER, BRUCE W.
Rank/Organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company H, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 7 Aug. 1969. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 7 May 1950, Schenectady, N.Y.

COPAS, ARDIE RAY (Posthumously)
Rank/Organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia, 12 May 1970. Entered service at: Fort Pierce, Florida. Born: 29 Aug. 1950, Fort Pierce, Florida.

CUTINHA, NICHOLAS J.
Rank/Organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Gia Dinh, Republic of Vietnam, 2 March 1968. Entered service at: Coral Gables, Fla. Born: 13 January 1945, Fernandina Beach, Florida.

INGRAM, ROBERT R.
  Rank/Organization: Corpsman Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, Quang Ngai Province Republic of Vietnam on 28 March 1966.

JENKINS, ROBERT H., JR.
Rank/Organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Fire Support Base Argonne, Republic of Vietnam, 5 March 1969. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 1 June 1948, Interlachen, Florida.

LASSEN, CLYDE EVERETT
Rank/Organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Helicopter Support Squadron 7, Detachment 104, embarked in U.S.S. Preble (DLG-15).  Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 14 March 1942, Fort Myers, Florida.

SIMS, CLIFFORD CHESTER
Rank/Organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and Date: Near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, 21 February 1968. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 18 June 1942, Port St. Joe, Florida.

SMEDLEY, LARRY E.
Rank/Organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and Date: Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 December 1967. Entered service at: Orlando, Fla. Born: 4 March 1949, Front Royal, Va.

          WAR ON TERROR (IRAQ)         

SMITH, PAUL RAY
Rank/Organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3d Infantry Division. Place and Date: Baghdad, Iraq, 4 April 2003. Entered Service at: Tampa, Florida. Born: 24 September 1969, El Paso, Texas  

            PEACE TIME AWARDS            

CORRY, WILLIAM MERRILL, JR.
Rank/Organization: Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Near Hartford, Conn., 2 Oct. 1920. Born: 5 Oct 1889, Quincy, Fla. Accredited to: Florida. Other Navy award: Navy Cross.
CITATION
For heroic service attempting to rescue a brother officer from a flame-enveloped airplane. On 2 October 1920, an airplane with passenger Lt. Comdr. Corry crashed and burst into flames. He was thrown 30 feet clear of the plane and though injured, rushed back to the burning machine and endeavored to release the pilot. However he sustained serious burns and died 4 days later.

Medal of Honor Recipients born in Florida but either moved to or enlisted in military service in another state to which their award is accredited.  By virtue of their birth, they are still among our "Home Town Heroes".

PAINE, ADAM
Rank/Organization: Private, Indian Scouts. Place and Date: Canyon Blanco tributary of the Red River, Texas, 26-27 Sept. 1874. Entered Service At: Fort Duncan, Texas. Birth: Florida. Date of Issue: 13 Oct.1875. Private, Indian Scouts. Place and Date: Canyon Blanco tributary of the Red River, Tex., 26-27 Sept. 1874. Entered Service At: Fort Duncan, Texas. Birth: Florida. Date of Issue: 13 Oct. 1875.

BOLTON, CECIL H.
Rank/Organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 413th Infantry, 104th Infantry Division. Place and date: Mark River, Holland, 2 Nov. 1944. Entered service at: Huntsville, Ala. Birth: Crawfordsville, Florida. G.O. No.: 74, 1 Sept. 1945.

NORRIS, THOMAS R.
Rank/Organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, SEAL Advisor, Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team, Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 10 to 13 April 1972. Entered service at: Silver Spring, Md. Born: 14 Jan 1944, Jacksonville, Fla.