The Journal of the Orders and Medals Socie ,ty of America awards and badges: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (with numeral "3"), Army Commendation Medal (with 1 st Oak LeafCluster(OLC)), Army Achievement Medal (with 2nd OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with bronze star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Rib- bon, Republic &Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Parachutist Badge (Basic). Roberts also wears ribbons for the Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with Palm), and Republic of Viet- nam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation (with Pahn).

Top Female Soldier Some readers may question the reason for identifying both a top male and female soldier. After all, to para- phrase Gertrude Stein, ’a soldier is a soldier is a sol- dier.’ While that may be true in a general sense, it is not when it comes to awards and decorations, as women are not fully integrated into the American Army. On the contrary, while female soldiers now serve as para- troopers and pilots, they remain excluded from infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Rhonda L.S. Cornum artillery, and armor assignments. Similarly, female med- ics are excluded from almost all "field" assignments in to Saudi Arabia as part of the 101 st Airborne Division which there is any likelihood of the need for heroic ac- (Air Assault), Cornum went with it. She flew numer- tivity. This combat exclusion means, of course, that a ous missions during DESERT SHIELD and DESERT female soldier’s opportunity to be decorated for com- STORM before her last mission on 27 February 1991. bat gal lantry is sign ificantly less than for her male coun- terparts. Given this discrepancy, identifying the most On that day, the fourth day of the ground war against highly decorated female soldier makes sense. Iraq, Cornum was a member of a Black Hawk combat search-and-rescue mission sent to find an Air Force F-16 More female soldiers participated in Operation DESERT that had crashed behind enemy lines. The Americans STORM than any other conflict since World War II. had radio contact with the plane’s pilot, Captain Bill Consequently, it should come as no surprise that the top Andrews, who had a broken leg but otherwise seemed female recipient, Colonel Rhonda L. S. Cornum, earned not seriously hurt. However, they knew that if they did her decorations and during the Persian . not rescue him soon, the Iraqis would capture him.

After earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry, Colonel Cornum As the Black Hawk helicopter, in which Cornum and entered the Army in 1978. She spent four years in her colleagues were flying, flew deeper into Iraqi-held military medical research before starting medical school territory, it passed over an Iraqi fortified bunker and at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. was shot down. Five of the eight-person crew were After graduating 1986, Cornum opted for extra training killed. Cornum and the other two survivors were in aviation medicine and, after becoming a Flight Sur- captured. Her injuries included a gunshot wound to her geon, was assigned as a physician at the Army’s Aero- shoulder, two broken arms, a broken finger, and damaged medical Research Laboratory at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. right leg. After a little over a week as prisoners of war, Cornum and her comrades were repatriated on 6 March. In July 1991, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment, selected then Maj. Comum In late March 1991, a week after being released from to be his unit’s Flight Surgeon. When that unit deployed the hospital, Gen. Carl Vuono, then Army Chief of Staff,

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Obverse and Reverse of Major Robets’ Medal of Honor. decorated Rhonda Cornum with the (for participated in the battalion’s search and rescue missions. the gunshot wound and other injuries received when Major Cornum’s selfless dedication to mission accomplish- she was shot down) and the . ment is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service She subsequently also received the Distinguished Flying and reflects great credit on her and the ." Cross (DFC), Air Medal, and (BSM). The citation for Cornum’s DFC reads: "For heroism in In addition to her DFC, BSM, Purple Heart, Air Medal, action: Major Rhonda L.S. Cornum distinguished herself and Prisoner of War Medal, Cornum’s other individual on 27 February 1991, as Battalion Flight Surgeon, Head- awards and badges include the Meritorious Service quarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 229th Medal (with 1st OLC), Army Commendation Medal Attack Helicopter Regiment, while conducting a search (with 1st OLC), Army Achievement Medal (with 2nd and rescue mission during Operation DESERT STORM. OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Without regard for her own personal safe~y, site selflessly Asia Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and (Saudi volunteeredfor the mission to attempt a rescue of a downed Arabian) Kuwait Liberation Medal. She also wears F-16 pilot located well behind en- the Expert Field Medical Badge, Senior Flight Surgeon enty lines. The flight of three aircraft came under heavy Badge, Parachutist Badge, and . anti-aireraft fire which resulted in her UH-60 helicopter beOtg shot down. Major Cornum displayed heroism and Conclusion bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Major Cornum’s While Major Roberts and Colonel Comum are the most actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the mili- highly decorated male and female soldiers on active duty tary service reflecting great credit upon her, the lOlst Air- today, this status is necessarily temporary, if for no other borne Division (Air Assauit), and the United States Army." reason that both soldiers will retire one day. However, long after both have left the U.S. Army, their impact The citation for Colonel Cornum’s BSM reads: "For will remain. This is because both Major Roberts and meritorious service from 19 January 1991 to 27 February 1991, Colonel Cornum are role models for other men and while serving as the Battalion Flight Surgeon, 2rid Battalion, women in uniform. As both soldiers would say, soldiering 229th Aviation Regiment, during Operation DESERT STORM. is not about awards and decorations. It is not about battle- Major Comum participated in the preparation for and execu- field heroism either--although that is sometimes required. tion of combat operations and the seizure of a forward oper- Being a good soldier is about loyalty, duty, respect, honor, ating base in Iraq. Major Cornum personally supervised and integrity, selfless service, and personal courage.

24 The Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America

Bibliography decorations and medals, see R. Spiller, The Price of Valor, Military History Quarterly, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Spring 1993), p. 107. Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, 25 February 1995. Rickenbacker received eight DSCs for combat heroism dur- Comum, Rhonda L.S. She Went to War: The Rhonda Cornum ing World War I; each involved aerial combat in which he Story. Novato, California, Presidio Press (1992). destroyed one or more German aircraft. Sharp and Dunnigan Publications, The Congressional Medal of Honor, Forest Ranch, California, Sharp and Dunnigan 5 Two soldiers, SFC Randall D. Shughart and MSG Gary I. Publications (1984). Roger J. Spiller, The Price of Valor, Military History Quarterly, Gordon were awarded posthumous Molls for their heroism Vol. 5, No. 3 (Spring 1993), pp. 100-110. in Somalia on 3 - 4 October 1993.

6 Lt. Gen. Robert F. Foley, Commanding General, Fifth US Notes Army, won the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action on 5 November 1966. Then Capt. Foley, in command of Company ~ On 25 September 1918, Lt. Rickenbacker attacked seven A, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf., 25th Infantry Div., was ordered to extri- German planes. He shot down two of them and was awarded cate another company of the 2nd Bn. As his citation explains: his 8th DSC on 16 October 1918. This action was the basis "Moving through the dense jungle to aid the besieged unit, for his Moll, awarded in GO 2, War Department, 1931. Company A encountered a strong enemy force occupying z On l April 1942, President Roosevelt awarded MacArthur’s well concealed, defensive positions, and the company’s lead- ing element quickly sustained several casualties. Capt. Moll. The citation reads in part: "For conspicuous leader- Foley immediately ran forward to the scene of the most ship in preparing the Philippine Islands to resist conquest, intense action to direct the company’s efforts. Deploying for gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of one platoon on the flank, he led the other two platoons in duty in action against invading Japanese forces, for the an attack on the enemy in the face of intense fire. During heroic conduct of defensive and offensive operations on this action both radio operators accompanying him were the Bataan Peninsula. He mobilized, trained and led an wounded. At grave risk to himself he defied the enemy’s army which has received world acclaim for its gallant de- murderous fire, and helped the wounded operators to a fense against a tremendous superiority of enemy forces in position where they could receive medical care. As he moved men and arms. His utter disregard ofpersonal danger un- forward again, one of his machine gnn crews was wounded. der heavy fire and aerial bombardment, his calm judgment Seizing the weapon, he chargedforward firing the tnaehine in each crisis, inspired his troops, galvanized the spirit of gun, shouting orders and rallying his men, titus maintain- resistance ofthe Philippine people, and confirmed thefaith ing the momentum of the attaek. Under inereasingly heavy of the American people in their Armed Forces." enemy fire, he ordered his assistant to take cover and, alone, 3 On January 26, 1945, I st Lt. Murphy was moving his com- Capt. Foley continued to advance firing the maehinegun until the wounded had been evacuated and the attack in pany along the edge of an open field. As the soldiers walked this area could be resumed. When movement on the other into the clearing, the Germans opened fire. In the attack, an flank was halted by the enemy’s fanatical defense, Capt. American tank destroyer operating in support of Murphy’s Foley moved to personally direct this eritieal phase of the company was set afire and then abandoned by its crew. battle. Leatfing the renewed effort he was blown off his feet Murphy radioed for artillery counter fire. In the meantime, and wounded by an enemy grenade. Despite his painful two reinforced rifle companies of German infantrymen, along wounds he refused medical aid and persevered in the fore- with six German tanks, advanced toward the Americans. front of the attack on the enemy redoubt. He led the assault Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to the woods, while he on several enemy gun emplacements and, single-handedly, remained to direct artillery fire. As the Germans continued destroyed3 sueh positions. His outstanding personal lead- their attack, Murphy mounted the burning tank destroyer, ership under intense enemy fire during the fierce battle turned its machine gun against the Germans and held off an which lasted for several hours, inspired his men to heroic enemy attack from three sides. At least 50 Germans were efforts and,, was instrumental in the ultimate success of the killed before the enemy broke off the attack. Murphy, un- operation wounded, left the still-burning tank destroyer and returned to his men. Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch presented Murphy with Lt. Gen. Foley, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at the Moll about four months later. West Point in 1963. He retired in the summer of 2000. 4 Murphy received the DSC for an action in southern France 7 Note that this Silver Star was awarded for the same action on 15 August 1944. Near the town of Ramantuelle, after his best friend was killed, Murphy "embarked on a frenzied and for which Roberts subsequently received the Medal of Honor. single-handed assault, eventually killing or wounding 13 German soldiers." For additional information on Murphy’s

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