National Affairs: A Proud Moment for Me

In the neat little rose garden outside the White House stood four infantry soldiers, rigidly at attention. Around them were ranged their solemn families, dignified generals, President Truman. In a hoarse voice, a major general read: “In the fierce charge . . . [he] bayoneted two enemy soldiers . . . despite vicious opposing fire . . . boldly continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting . . .”

The noon sun beat down on the hawklike face of Captain Lewis Millett of South Dartmouth, Mass., on husky, handsome Master Sergeant Stanley Adams of Olathe, Kans., on the nervous stare of Captain Raymond Harvey of Pasadena, Calif., on the stony and disfigured mask of Sergeant Einar Ingman of Tomahawk, Wis.

The President clasped around their necks the blue-starred ribbons with the gold pendants—Medals of Honor. The four brought the total of Medals of Honor awarded to Army men in Korea to 27.* Of the winners, 20 are missing or dead. “It is … a proud moment for me,” Harry Truman said simply. “I have told them many a time that I would much rather have that Congressional Medal of Honor than to be President of the United States. I don’t think very many of them believe me, but it is true.”

The brief ceremony was over. Harry Truman and the generals posed with the four soldiers for photographers. The generals shook the heroes’ hands. “My name’s Bradley,” said the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “That was a fine, a grand thing you did.”

Another general, shaking hands with Adams, said he would like to meet the sergeant’s family. Said Adams embarrassedly: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe I caught your name.”

“Collins, Joe Collins,” replied the Army’s Chief of Staff.

-‘ The Medal of Honor has been awarded for Korean service to one Navyman, no marines, no airmen.