The Medal of Honor in the United States - Essay Example

This is after the killing of the color bearer during the Battle of Honey Hill in South Carolina. On the same day in the afternoon, the 55th regiment was pursuing the enemy and in the process, they found themselves in a swampy region where the Confederate Army was waiting. The thick underbrush and the surrounding woods obstructed artillery support and infantry movement. The 34th and 55th regiments created columns to progress towards the enemy in a side movement. The other units were repelled by the Confederates but the 34th and 55th regiments persistently moved into the tanking positions. They were forced by the enemy into a narrow gorge and this is where the 55th’s Color-Sergeant was murdered by an exploding shell. The Regimental Colors held by the slain soldier were taken by Corporal Smith and he carried them through the intense canister and grape fire (Richardson 3). Despite the fact that almost half of the unit was wounded and killed by the enemy, Corporal Smith continued to expose himself to the enemy by carrying the Regimental Colors throughout the fight. Through Corporal Smith, the 55th Infantry Regiment Regimental Colors were not taken by the enemy (Richardson 4).

Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt
His rank was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army and his organization, the First Cavalry Regiment. His citation for the award was “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” (Gomez-Granger CRS-3). Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt renowned himself for his acts of gallantry in 1898 in the Republic of Cuba while directing a courageous charge up in San Juan Hill. Risking his personal safety and being escorted only by five men, he lead a heroic and desperate charge up in San Juan Hill. He encouraged his troops to go on with the assault through contemptuous enemy fire over the open landscape. In the face of the opponent’s heavy fire, he showed astonishing bravery throughout the charge. He was the first among his troops to reach the rival’s trenches. In the trench, he murdered one of the enemies using his pistol and this gave room for his men to go on with the assault. His courage and leadership brought unexpected results in the Battle for San Juan Hill (Gomez-Granger CRS-3).

The Differences
The two officers displayed extraordinary courage in the fight against the enemy. However, there are differences in the way these soldiers showed their gallantry. In Corporal Smith’s case, he took a position that was not assigned to him. Corporal Smith was not the carrier of the Regimental Colors but after the killing of the bearer of the Regimental Colors, he took it and carried it throughout the battle. Thus, the corporal saved the Regimental Colors from being taken by the enemy. He did this despite the fact that most of the men were either wounded or killed. On the other hand, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt showed extraordinary courage by leading only four or five men in a charge up in San Juan Hill. Though there was an intense exchange of fire on the battlefield, he courageously encouraged his men to advance toward the enemy.