Myth Versus Reality ~ The Victoria Cross
"The original Royal Warrant for the Victoria Cross stated that the award should be:
“…ordained with a view to place all persons on a perfectly equal footing in relation to eligibility for the Decoration, that neither rank, nor long service, nor wounds, nor any other circumstance or condition whatsoever, save the merit of conspicuous bravery shall be held to establish a sufficient claim to the honour.”
Mate Charles Davis Lucas onboard HMS Hecla performed the act which was to earn him the honour as the first winner of the Victoria Cross on 21st June 1854. Whilst attacking the great gun batteries of the Russian fortress at Bomarsund in the Aland Islands, a live shell landed on the deck of the Helca. Disregarding orders to take cover, Lucas picked up the shell with its fuse still burning and calmly walked to the edge of the ship before dropping it over the side, the shell exploded as it hit the water. Thus the standard was set for others to follow."
The great myth of the V.C. is that it's awarded to a Rambo for taking out the bad guys in a magnificently bloody, gory and deadly killing spree done for G-d and country.
The truth is that most times it's given to someone like Mate Lucas. Consider the latest recipient Private Johnson Beharry:
In 2004, when exposed to ferocious enemy fire, Private Beharry steered his own Warrior armoured vehicle away from an ambush, leading five other Warriors to safety. Beharry suffered a head injury as a result. Returning to duty the following month, he again suffered a serious head injury whilst reversing his Warrior out of yet another ambush. In addition to saving his own life, Private Beharry undoubtedly saved the lives of his injured commander and the other crew members of the Warrior.
The History of the Victoria Cross
If I was to list every winner this post would be way to long. I'll stop here with a fine pair of bookends. Bookends and a question. One which equally applies to the Congressional Medal of Honour.
What does it say about our too often hidden true humanity that two of the most recognized and respected military medals are usually given for outstanding acts of bravery that result in the saving rather than the taking of lives.
Brian
Comments