The Sentinel from Carlisle, Pennsylvania • 4

www.rumberlink.coni A4 The Sentinel. Carlile, Sunda. Apnl 1 7. 2tX5 What the Congressional Medal of Honor? days to protect the capitol while other available Union soldiers were dispatched to Gettysburg where the famous battle raged. All of those medals were rescinded.

1 i After the Spanish-American War and before World War eligibility was tightened, Sommers says, "to make it for truly exceptional service, even to the point here some medals were taken aw ay from Civil War recipients." He cites a case here the entire 27th Regiment, Maine Infantry, was awarded the Medal of Honor because they remained on garrison duty in Washington, D.C., hen they were due to be mustered out. The soldiers served an extra three actions in World War I. 464 for World War II. 1 31 for the Korean War, and 245 for the Vietnam War. "The Medal of Honor as the only Army-w ide medal issued in the 1 9th century, says Richard Sommers, chief of patron services at the Military History Institute.

"If one wanted to recognize a meritorious soldier, the only medal that could be given him was the Medal of Honor. They were given more frequently from the Civil War forward." Created in 1 86 1 for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal of Honor permanent in 1 863. More than 3.400 medals have been awarded to date, with a majority awarded in the 1 9ih centurv Today, a total of 1.522 Medals of Honor are credited for action during the Civil War and another 426 during the Indian War campaigns. By the 20th century, the Medal of Honor became more exclusive. A total of 124 were awarded for On the Set: Much of the material for this special report was taken from Medal of Honor citations listed by the U.S.

Army Center of Military History: www.army.milcmh-pgMohl.htm Beyond Continued from A1 Decades later. Miniek's heroic deeds were remembered in May 1 997 hen veterans of VFW Post 477, Carlisle, placed a Medal of Honor plaque on his gravestone at Westminster Cemetery in North Middleton Township. ft i j. i r. i John Minick Office building for Shughart is under way.

ii U2 J-v Jut. -i Li 'if 4 Carlisle native aieo awarded the medal Although he entered the service in Machias, Maine, World War II Medal of Honor recipient Jay Zeamer Jr. was born in Carlisle. He and his family later moved to Orange, N.J., and Zeamer graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Zeamer was a captain in the U.S.

Army Air Corps on June 16. 1943, hen he volunteered as a pilot of a bomber on a crucial photographic mapping mission over Buka, Solomon Islands. While photographing the Buka airfield, about 20 enemy fighters were observed. In spite of the danger, Zeamer stuck to the mapping run, even after being attacked. He suffered gunshot wounds in both arms and legs but still flew the damaged plane so that his gunners could fight off enemy planes in a 40-minute battle.

His crew was credited with destroying at least five enemy planes, one of which Zeamer shot down himself. Weak from the loss of blood, Zeamer refused aid until the fight was over, hen he turned over the controls of the plane. Slipping in and out of consciousness, he directed the flight to a base 580 miles away on New Guinea. Lt. Joseph Sarnoski.

bombardier, received a Medal of Honor for the same mission. Zeamer was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1944 and retired from the service in January 1945 because of a physical disability. Witcome was a private with Company 8th U.S. Cavalry, serving in Arizona Territory. His medal was awarded for "bravery in scouts and actions against Indians," from August to October 1868.

Thirty other members of Company received Medals of Honor for the same time period. and pistol each. Shughart and Gordon fought their way tow ard the injured crewmen. They pulled pilot Michael Durant and the other crew members from the helicopter and set up a perimeter to protect them. Shughart continued to protect the crew until he was out of ammunition and was killed by enemy fire.

Gordon also continued to fight until he was fatally wounded. Their actions saved Durant's life. A total of 18 U.S. soldiers died during the fight that day. Their story is recounted in the 2001 movie, "Black Haw Down." Before joining the Army, Shughart grew up on a dairy farm in North New ton Township.

He as a 1976 graduate of Big Spring High School. At the time of his death. Shughart. 35, was part of the Army's elite Special Forces Command of Fort Bragg, Ga. He was listed as missing for a week after the fight before his death was reported.

At the time his wife. Stephanie, lived in Fayetteville, N.C., and his parents. Herbert and Lois Shughart, lived near Blain. A 21 -gun salute honored Shughart when he was buried Oct. 18.

1993. in Westminster Cemetery. Now a U.S. Navy ship bears Shughart's name as well as an Army War College barracks in Carlisle. A training center at Folk Polk, is named for Shughart and Gordon.

In 1994 the Sgt. 1st Class Randall Shughart Memorial Chapter of Special Forces Association was formed in Middlesex Township. Harrisburg named a street for Shughart and he is in the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, and Fort Campbell, Ky. Although a bid to name Big Spring High School in Shughart's honor failed, a memorial plaque honoring him and fellow Big Spring veterans stands outside the high school and a display case with Shughart memorabilia sits in the school's lobby. A campaign led by an armed services fraternity to name the Newville Post William Miller "one of the most jovial at the picket fire circle," the Carlisle Herald and Mirror stated.

Medals of Honor ere given posthumously to Army Sgt. 1st Class Randall Shughart of North New ton Township and Master Sgt. Gary Gordon of Lincoln. Maine. Both were recognized for heroism in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993.

Theirs were the most recent valorous actions honored until President Bush presented a Medal of Honor to the family of Army Sgt. Paul R. Smith earlier this month. Just one year ago Smith exposed himself to enemy fire while holding back enemy soldiers in Iraq. Smith stayed at his post until he was killed by enemy gunfire and his actions saved the lives of at least 100 U.S.

soldiers. The actions of Shughart and Gordon actions in Somalia were just as courageous. During a military operation in Somalia, two American helicopters were downed. U.S. Army Rangers established a defensive perimeter around the first helicopter but could not reach the second, where four injured Army crewmen lay.

A helicopter with Shughart and Gordon, both members of a Special Forces sniper team, was dispatched to provide cover from above. In the face of intense fire, the two men knew the helicopter crewmen could not survive without someone reaching them on the ground. Shughart and Gordon twice volunteered and were denied permission because of the danger. On a third request, the answer was yes. Their pilot hovered just above the ground and the soldiers jumped into the firefight, 100 meters from the crash site.

Carrying only a sniper rifle Carlisle native Jacob Cart was the first Cumberland County soldier to receive the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. Cart was a private in Company 7th Pennsylvania Reserve Corps during the Battle of Fredericksburg. On Dec. 13, 1862, he captured the flag of the 19th Georgia Infantry by pulling it from the hands of the color bearer. "That was usually one of the standards," Sommers says.

"If you captured a flag, you almost certainly got a medal. And that was a good standard." Cart's action was a bright spot in an otherwise bleak day, Sommers says. "Fredericksburg was an ignominious defeat for the Union," he says. Cart died from consumption in Carlisle on April 24, 1882. His obituary in the Carlisle Herald and Mirror told of the day he earned his Medal of Honor.

Company A and a few others, numbering about 50, made a "desperate charge over the rifle pits, breaking the enemy's line and capturing 1 63 prisoners." In early 1 863 Cart was sent to Carlisle Barracks on recruiting duty and in December 1 863 he re-enlisted. Cart was an original member of Company A and known as 1897. That wasn't unusual, Sommers says. "It was mistakenly thought that officers were not eligible during the war. They were.

Many deserving officers were not submitted for that recognition." By the 1 890s, it became known that officers were indeed eligible and many medals were awarded. But Miller fits another profile for people issued awards long after the Civil War he had achieved prominence. After the war. Miller moved to Carlisle and at various times served as county Democratic chairman, chief burgess of Carlisle, a member of the state health board, and a state senator. He died Dec.

10, 1919, and is buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery. Capt. William E. Miller of Company 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry received a Medal of Honor during the Battle of Gettysburg. Miller was born in West Hill, West Pennsboro Township.

According to letters from Miller and other members of Company Miller was leading a squadron of cavalry on July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg and had been ordered to hold his position. But when he saw a column of Confederate cavalry commanded by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart attacking a smaller Union cavalry unit. Miller led his squadron in cutting off a portion of Stuart's column, driving it back.

Miller was wounded in the arm and his horse was killed. While Miller's actions occurred in 1863, his medal wasn't issued until July 21, Joseph Witcome. who was born in Mechanicsburg, was issued a Medal of Honor in July 1869 for actions during Indian campaigns. DeLay avoids ethics controversy in NRA speech I Expansion The local project is part of a $100 million two-campus project that includes a ne' law school facility at Penn State's University Park campus. Meanwhile, the law school's rating is up.

Earlier this month it made the top 100 in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of law schools, tied for 90th place with three other schools. turers and distributors and to make sure a ban on assault weapons isn't resurrected. Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice president, called DeLay the NRA's steadfast ally in Congress. "His work to preserve our constitutional rights has earned the respect of his colleagues, our 4 million members, and millions of law-abiding gun owners across this nation," he said.

Earlier at the gathering, rock musician and gun-rights advocate Ted Nugent urged NRA members to be "hardcore, radical extremists demanding the right to self defense" and to work daily to recruit new members. Continued from A1 "The building program statement is really a document hich describes as well as we can what we are looking for in a new building and forms the guidance for the architects to work with in designing the building. He expects an architect to be hired in September when the Penn State board of trustees meets. "During the course of architectural design, we will seek additional comments from the public," he says. "When that process is done, probably by the summer of 2006, then we embark on construction." "So I'm in good company tonight." About 2,550 NRA members paid $75 to hear DeLay's speech and dine on salad with goat cheese and sirloin steak with peppercorn cognac sauce.

Many wore stickers that read: "I'm for the NRA and Tom DeLay." Some of DeLay's Republican colleagues have suggested in recent weeks that he resign as scrutiny builds over his overseas trips, political fund raising and his association with a lobbyist who is under federal investigation. Under investigation A district attorney in Texas is investigating a political fund raising committee DeLay helped launch to assist Republican candidates in the state's 2002 legislative elections. Three DeLay associates and eight corporations have been indicted in the investigation. although three companies have reached agreements with the prosecutor. DeLay has not been charged with any wrongdoing in any of the cases and has denied any legal or ethics violations.

More than 1 00 protesters gathered outside the hotel that hosted the convention, many saying they were more concerned with deterring DeLay than with banning guns. "He is an embarrassment to our district." said protester Patricia Baig, a 57-year-old retired school teacher from Missouri City, Texas. "He doesn't represent his district and it is time for him to do the honorable thing and resign." The NRA, which as 4 million members, has helped elect Republican lawmakers, such as DeLay, who support the group's efforts to limit lawsuits seeking damages against gun manufac- HOUSTON (AP) House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. under fire for alleged ethics violations, accused liberal Democrats and the national media of giving him a hard time in a keynote speech at the National Rifle Association's annual convention Saturday evening. DeLay only briefly mentioned the ethics accusations, telling members of the gun-rights group that he appreciated their support.

"When a man is in trouble or in a good fight, he wants all of his friends around him. particularly armed," the Republican from nearby Sugar Land said. Correction The headline on a police item on page B3 on today's Sentinel contains a misspelled word. The headline should have read: "Taser threat calms teen." The Sentinel regrets the error. On the Set: For a description of the plan for the law school and an opportunity to submit written feedback: www.dsl.psu.edunews twocampusoutline.cfm.

NOW ACCEPTING CHILDRE FOR DAYCARE (6 weeks-5 years old) Carlisle Barracks Child Development Center Musical Tryouts Boiling Springs High School Friday, April 22 3-5pm 7-9pm Saturday, April 23 9-1 1am Call Backs Sunday, April 24 5-7pm secret Garden 4 Performances: July 1,2 3 "Sana- Lots of Activities! We are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Dept. of Defense Certified. All teachers hold a Child Development Associate credential or higher. Average teacher has over 10 years experience with a 96 teacher retention rate! Small class sizes with more personal attention if- a i 1 i- lor your children 1 1 i Rates are based on income with sibling discounts. Hours: 6:15 a.m.

5:30 p.m Monday-Friday l'" Available to ALL military-connected families-Active Duty, Retiree, DOD Civilian, Reservists, National Guard and NOW VETERANS. Please call 717-245-3801 for more information. It i.