Texas Legislative Medal of Honor

Last updated
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor..svg
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded forGallantry
DescriptionThe neck ribbon is green with white stars, and the medal features an image of the reverse of the Seal of Texas, including Vince's Bridge, cannon of the Battle of Gonzales, Alamo Mission in San Antonio and the six historical flags of Texas.
Presented by Texas Legislature
and
Texas Military Department
Eligibility Texas Military Forces and
United States Armed Forces
StatusCurrently issued
EstablishedMay 3, 1963
First awarded1997
Last awarded2021
Total16
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor Ribbon.svg
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor medal ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)None (highest)
Next (lower) Lone Star Medal of Valor

The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, commonly referred to as the Texas Medal of Honor, is the highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. [1] It can also be conferred to service members of the United States Armed Forces. [2] Subsequent decorations are conferred by a gold twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device. [2] A lapel button is also conferred with this decoration. [2]

Contents

Eligibility

The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor shall be conferred to a member of the Texas Military Forces or United States Armed Forces (effective June 20, 2003) designated by concurrent resolution of the legislature who voluntarily performs a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice involving risk of life that is so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the person for gallantry and intrepidity above the person's comrades. Decoration shall be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. Decoration is only conferred on incontestable proof of performance of the deed. [2]

Initially, the law permitted one person to be selected from various nominees for the decoration by a 5-member nominating committee (effective June 20, 2003) every two years since 1997. The nominating committee consists of the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Adjutant General of the Texas Military Forces and the chairs of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee and the Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives. The law reads in part:

(d) The legislature by concurrent resolution may direct the governor to confer the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to a person nominatedby the nominating committee. The committee chairs serving on the nominating committee shall jointly prepare a concurrent resolution directing the governor to confer the medal to a person nominated. The legislature may direct the medal to be conferred only during a

In 2013, HB 1589 was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry amending the statute for the bestowal of two Texas Legislative Medals of Honor each legislative session, one for service pre-1956 and one for service post-1957. [3]

On May 18, 2023 the Texas Senate passed Rep. Terry Wilson's HB 4421 by a 31-0 vote to award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to any Texan who has received the Medal of Honor. The legislation further established three time periods for the award as pre-1955, 1955 to September 10, 2001, and September 11, 2001 to the present date.

Authority

The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was authorized by the Fifty-eighth Texas Legislature in Senate Bill Number 279 by Senator Babe Schwartz and was approved by the Governor John Connally on May 3, 1963, effective August 23, 1963. The first recipient was not awarded until 1997 when Representative Tommy Merritt discovered that the award existed and had never been awarded. Senator Jerry Patterson, then the chair of the Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee, assisted in the process of selecting the first recipient and creating a process for the further awarding of the medal. [2]

Recipients

Date

conferred

Service MemberAbbreviated CitationTexas Military UnitBranch of ServiceConflict/EventRef
1997 James Logan First Texas Medal of Honor recipient; undertook heroic acts to halt a German counterattack. Awarded the Medal of Honor. 141st Infantry Regiment Texas National Guard Operation Avalanche [4]
1999 Jack Knight Single-handedly destroyed two Imperial Japanese pillboxes; was killed by grenade while attacking a third pillbox. Awarded the Medal of Honor. 124th Cavalry Regiment Texas National Guard Burma Road assault [5]
2001 Roy Benavidez Voluntarily entered a combat zone; saved the lives of at least eight men; shot seven times, stabbed twice, 28 fragmentation wounds. Awarded the Medal of Honor.Texas native; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Cambodia rescue mission [6]
2003 Mode Etheredge Took command after CO was killed; while wounded led unit over 700 yards under fire; achieved unit objective; awarded the Silver Star.Texas native; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Battle of Anzio [7]
2005 Robert Edlin Led four Rangers through a minefield, captured four Krupp K5 guns, and 800 German soldiers. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.Texas citizen; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Battle for Brest [8]
2007 Alfredo Gonzalez Saved a Marine; while wounded, single-handedly destroyed Viet Cong position; was killed attacking additional positions. Awarded the Medal of Honor.Texas native; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Marine Corps Battle of Huế [9]
2009 Pedro Cano Single-handedly destroyed nine Nazi machine-gun positions. Awarded the Medal of Honor.Texas citizen; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Battle of Hürtgen Forest [10]
2011 Roy Cisneros Single-handedly charged a fortified enemy position; killed during assault; awarded the Navy Cross.Texas native; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Marine Corps Quảng Trị Province patrol [11]
2013 Darryn Andrews Killed while saving three soldiers during IED and RPG attack. Awarded the Silver Star.Texas citizen; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Paktika Province patrol [12]
2013 Audie Murphy Single-handedly halted a tank attack; killed or wounded fifty German soldiers; launched a counterattack while wounded. Awarded the Medal of Honor.Texas native; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Colmar Pocket [13]
2015 Chris Kyle Served four tours of duty; survived six IEDs and two gunshot wounds; single-handedly killed at least 150 enemy combatants. Awarded the Silver Star.Texas native; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Navy Operation Iraqi Freedom [14]
2015 William Dyess Survived the Bataan Death March; organized the only large-scale escape of prisoners of war in the Pacific Theater. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.Texas native; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Air Corps Battle of Bataan [15]
2017 Travis Watkins Saved 30 soldiers; fought to the death while paralyzed from the waist down. Awarded the Medal of Honor.Texas citizen; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Battle of Yongsan [16]
2019 George Turner Awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic courage and initiative during World War II at Phillippsbourg, France on January 3, 1945.Texas native; not in a Texas Military unit. United States Army European theatre of World War II [17]
2021 Marcelino Serna Extreme heroism in single-handedly capturing 24 Germans during an engagement in WWI. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.Texas resident; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Battle of Meuse-Argonne
2021 William Flores Gave his life in attempting save fellow Coast Guardsmen during the sinking of the USCGC Blackthorn. Awarded the Coast Guard Medal.Texas citizen; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Coast Guard Sinking of the USCGC Blackthorn
2023Jerry BellServed in the U.S. Army and in Vietnam. Given for his career service and not a single heroic event. Uncle of Rep. Cecil Bell.Texas resident United States Army Vietnam War and entire career
2023 Mike C. Pena Gave his life in defending his fellow soldiers in the Korean War. Awarded the Medal of Honor.Texas citizen; not in Texas Military unit at time of citation. United States Army Battle of Tabu-dong

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas House of Representatives</span> Lower house of Texass legislature

The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Texas Legislature. It consists of 150 members who are elected from single-member districts for two-year terms. There are no term limits. The House meets at the State Capitol in Austin.

A concurrent resolution is a resolution adopted by both houses of a bicameral legislature that lacks the force of law and does not require the approval of the chief executive (president). Concurrent resolutions are typically adopted to regulate the internal affairs of the legislature that adopted them, or for other purposes, if authority of law is not necessary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Medal of Merit</span> Award

The Washington Medal of Merit is one of three statutory civilian decorations issued by the state of Washington, the others being the Washington Medal of Valor and the Washington Gift of Life Award. Washington law does not describe an order of precedence for state decorations, though the Medal of Merit is generally considered the state's highest honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Alabama</span>

The government of Alabama is organized under the provisions of the 1901 Constitution of Alabama, the lengthiest constitution of any political entity in the world. Like other states within the United States, Alabama's government is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Also like any other state, these three branches serve a specific purpose in terms of power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal</span> Award

The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, also known as the Texas Distinguished Service Medal, is the fifth highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are conferred by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma Legislature</span> Legislative branch of the state government of Oklahoma

The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the state legislative branch of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate are the two houses that make up the bicameral state legislature. There are 101 state representatives, each serving a two-year term, and 48 state senators, who serve four-year terms that are staggered so only half of the Oklahoma Senate districts are eligible in each election cycle. Legislators are elected directly by the people from single member districts of equal population. The Oklahoma Legislature meets annually in the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City.

Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwumni ; born 1 September 1940) is a retired Nigerian Army major general and politician who served twice as Foreign Minister of Nigeria during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, and as a Senator for Abia North from 1999 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John C. Hull (politician)</span> American politician (1870–1947)

John Carpenter Hull served the state of Massachusetts for twenty years between 1916 and 1936 at the Statehouse in Boston chairing the committees of Education, Judiciary, Elections and Public Institutions. He was also the Speaker of the House of Massachusetts from 1925 to 1928, educator, lawyer, and the first Securities Director of Massachusetts.

Peter F. Martin is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He represented the 75th District Newport from January 2009 to January 2015. He primarily served on the House Committees on Judiciary and Veteran’s Affairs. During his earlier terms of office he has served on the House Committees on Small Business, Separation of Powers, Municipal Government, and Government Oversight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Purple Heart Medal</span> Award

The Texas Purple Heart Medal, commonly referred to as the Texas Purple Heart, is the third highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are conferred by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Outstanding Service Medal</span> Award

The Texas Outstanding Service Medal is the sixth highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are denoted by a bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Superior Service Medal</span> Award

The Texas Superior Service Medal is the fourth highest military decoration that can be conferred to service members of the Texas Military Forces. It can also be conferred to civilians. No devices are authorized for this decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Desert Shield-Desert Storm Campaign Medal</span> Award

The Texas Desert Shield-Desert Storm Campaign Medal was a campaign/service award of the Texas Military Department that was issued to service members of the Texas Military Forces. There were no provisions for subsequent awards.

The Texas Humanitarian Service Ribbon is a campaign/service award of the Texas Military Department that may be issued to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent awards are denoted by a bronze appurtenance starting with numeral 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal</span> Award

The Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal is a campaign/service award of the Texas Military Department that may be issued to service members of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent awards are issued by a bronze or silver cactus leaf.

Awards and decorations of the Texas government are bestowed by various agencies of the Texas government to citizens, employees, or service members for acts of accomplishment, meritorious service, eminence in a field, or a specific heroic act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awards and decorations of the Texas Military</span>

Awards and decorationsof the Texas Military are medals, ribbons, badges, tabs, trophies, plaques, certificates, memorials, monuments, holidays, and general honors that recognize service and achievement in the Texas Military Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Iraqi Campaign Medal</span> Texan medal

The Texas Iraqi Campaign Medal is a campaign/service award of the Texas Military Department issued to service members of the Texas Military Forces.

References

  1. "State Awards". TMD.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Joint Force Texas Regulation (1-07)" (PDF). Texas Military Department. August 1, 2009.
  3. "Texas Legislature Online - 83(R) Actions for HB 1589". Capitol.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  4. "James Logan". Texas State Preservation Board.
  5. "Jack Llewellyn Knight". Texas State Preservation Board.
  6. "Roy P. Benavidez". Texas State Preservation Board.
  7. "M.B. Etheredge". Texas State Preservation Board.
  8. "Robert Thomas Edlin". Texas State Preservation Board.
  9. "Alfredo (Freddy) Gonzalez". Texas State Preservation Board.
  10. "Pedro Cano". Texas State Preservation Board.
  11. "Roy Cisneros". Texas State Preservation Board.
  12. "Darryn Andrews". Texas Military Department.
  13. "Audie Murphy". Texas State Preservation Board.
  14. "Chris Kyle". Texas State Preservation Board.
  15. "William Edwin Dyess". Texas State Preservation Board.
  16. "Travis Watkins". Texas State Preservation Board.
  17. "George Turner". Texas Senate.