Lawrence Joel - Medal of Honor Recipient

Lawrence Joel was born on February 22, 1928 in Winston Salem, NC.  He joined the Army in 1946 and served in both Korea and Vietnam.  On March 9, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Joel with the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam on November 8, 1965.  Joel's rank and organization at that time (November 1965) was Specialist Sixth Class (then Sp5c), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade.

Here is the citation for Joel's Medal of Honor.

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machine gun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others, and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his life saving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of 1 man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As 1 of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24 hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical aidman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Sp6c. Joel's profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country."

Joel was also awarded the Silver Star for his actions on that day.  Before going to Washington DC to receive his Medal of Honor, Joel was quoted as saying, "I’m glad to be alive.  I just wish I could have done more. I never say that I deserved the medal. That’s just not for me to say. It was just my job."

Lawrence Joel retired from the Army in 1973 with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  He passed away on February 4, 1984.  SFC Lawrence Joel is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  

The Combat Action Badge (Army)

The Combat Action Badge was approved by the Army Chief of Staff on 02 May 2005.  The description of the badge is as follows:  A silver badge 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver. Stars are added at the top to indicate subsequent awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the third award and three stars for the fourth award.

The Combat Action Badge is the newest combat related badge for the Army.  The first combat badge was the Combat Infantryman Badge authorized in 1943 and was followed by the Combat Medical Badge authorized in 1945.  In order of precedence, you have the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Medical Badge, and then the Combat Action Badge.  Below the Combat Action Badge is the Expert Infantryman Badge.  (Note:  The Expert Infantryman Badge is not a combat related badge.)

According to Army Regulation 600-8-22 Military Awards, the eligibility requirements for the Combat Action Badge are:

a. On 2 May 2005, the CSA approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to Soldiers who
personally engaged, or are engaged by, the enemy.
b. The requirements for award of the CAB are branch and MOS immaterial. Assignment to a combat arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive combat operations, or performing offensive combat operations, is not required to qualify for the CAB. However, it is not intended to award the CAB to all Soldiers who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area.
c. Specific eligibility requirements include:
(1) May be awarded to any Soldier.
(2) Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is
authorized.
(3) Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing
satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.
(4) Soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB and/or CMB. For
example, an infantryman (MOS 11B) assigned to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an
infantryman assigned to an infantry BN is not eligible for award of the CAB.
d. In addition to Army Soldiers, the CAB may also be awarded to Service members of other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military personnel assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the above criteria (for example, KATUSA
in the 2d Infantry Division).
e. Award of the CAB is authorized for the following operations (award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized):
(1) Afghanistan (OEF, 18 September 2001 to 31 December 2014; OFS, 1 January 2015 to a date to be determined).
(2) Iraq (OIF, 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010; OND,1 September 2010 to 31 December 2011).
(3) OIR, 15 June 2014 to a date to be determined.

The first recipients of the Combat Action Badge were:
Sgt. Michael Buyas, armor crewman
Sgt. Timothy Gustafson, armor crewman
Sgt. Manuel Montano, military policeman
Sgt. April Pashley, civil affairs specialist
Sgt. Sean Steans, motor transport officer