With the death of “Muhammad Ali” who
was named Cassius Clay, Jr. after this father Cassius Clay Sr., last Friday, it
seems appropriate on this date, June 6, to reflect on the real heroes who gave
their lives in service to our country. It was on this date in 1944, that allied
forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France at the cost of over 3,000 men.
At
age 22 the Vietnam War was raging in 1964. Clay, who became one of the greatest
professional heavyweight boxers of all time, was holder of the title when he
was notified that his number had come up for induction into the military. His
response was, “…I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong,” and refused to
serve citing he was a conscientious objector.
The
result was that he was stripped of his heavyweight title, barred from fighting
in the United States and ordered to serve five years in prison. He immediately
filed for appeal and three years later his conviction was reversed by the
Supreme Court.
Whether
the Vietnam War was just or not isn’t the question. We all know the outcome
resulted in the Communist takeover of the country as it remains today. As a
result freedom was replaced with the iron hand of subjection at the cost of
hundreds of thousand innocent lives.
Both
World War I and World War II were foisted on America as well. The involvement
in The First World came about as a result of President Woodrow Wilson’s
response to a secret letter from Germany to the President of Mexico bidding the
Mexican government to start a war with the United States and keeping America
out of the European conflict. If Mexico were to do so Germany promised the
Mexicans they would aid Mexico in recapturing territory captured by the U.S.
This included parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The result
was President Woodrow Wilson declared war against Germany in 1917.
To
build up American military strength Congress called for a draft. One of those
who received notice of induction was a young man from Tennessee, Alvin York.
York
was a conscientious objector but none the less reported for duty. Once in the
Army he told his commander he could not fight because of his religious beliefs.
He believed all war was evil and unjust. But after many conversations with his
company commander he came to realize that there is such a thing as “a just
war,” and he then committed himself to his duty.
Once
transferred to France his outfit found itself in heavy combat. York’s unit came
under heavy enemy machine gun fire and he, along with 17 men managed to out
maneuver the German guns and out flank them. Once spotted the German’s opened
fire killing the leader, Sergeant Bernard Early leaving York in charge of seven
men. York and his group then captured a German Major and pressed on up the
hill. Picking off German gunners York proceeded to kill about 20 enemy soldiers
and not wanting to cause more deaths ordered the remaining Germans to
surrender. The result was he personally captured 132 Germans and moved them
back to American lines. For his daring he was awarded the Congressional Medal
of Honor.
More
recently during the Vietnam War two other conscientious objectors were also
awarded America’s highest decoration.
Thomas
W. Bennett, 21 years of age, was deeply patriotic but opposed killing on
religious grounds as Clay did, but decided to enlist in the Army as a medic.
Following training he was assigned to a unit in the Central Highlands of
Vietnam. The unit came under intense fire but risking his own life he managed
to pull at least five wounded men to safety. Over the next few days he
continued to administer aid to wounded men. His citation reads in part:
“…In
the initial barrage of fire, three of the point members of the platoon fell
wounded. Cpl. Bennett, with complete disregard for his safety, ran through the
heavy fire to his fallen comrades, administrated life-saving first aid under
fire and then made repeated trips carrying the wounded men to positions of
relative safety…Cpl. Bennett repeatedly braved the intense enemy fire moving
across open areas to give aid and comfort to his wounded comrades. He valiantly
exposed himself to the heavy fire in order to retrieve the bodies of several
fallen personnel…Throughout the night and following day, Cpl. Bennett moved
from position to position treating and comforting several personnel who had
suffered shrapnel and gunshot wounds…Five members of the company fell wounded
in the initial assault. Cpl. Bennett ran to their aid without regard to the heavy
fire…Cpl. Bennett was warned that it was impossible to reach the position (another
wounded man), he leaped forward with complete disregard of his own safety to
save his comrade’s life. In attempting to save his fellow soldier, he was
mortally wounded…”
And
there was another Medal of Honor recipient who claimed to be a conscientious
objector: Joseph G. LaPointe Jr., age 20.
His
citation reads in part;
“…While
serving as a medical aidman during combat helicopter assault mission, SPC4
LaPointe’s patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining
valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large
enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial hail
of fire, two soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded…LaPointe
ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the
wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker…he
administered first aid to one man, shielding the other with his body. He was
hit by a burst of fire from the bunker while attending the wounded
soldier. SPC4 LaPointe continued his
lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making
strenuous efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue
administrating first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all three
men…”
Clay,
known as “Muhammad Ali,” may have been a renowned heavyweight fighter but he
will never be known as an American patriot.
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