“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. He or she is sharply different from the person who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions. [SNIP]--Robert Greenleaf, Servant as LeaderThe difference manifest itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer , is: do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society; will they benefit, or, at least, will they not be further deprived?”
Here is part of the CMH citation for the late Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. (President Bush presented the medal to SFC Smith's widow and his two children on April 4, 2005, the two-year anniversary of the sergeant's heroic sacrifice.)
As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers.
One thing that has always really impressed me relating to awarding the CMH is that it is generally not given for killing a whole lot a bad guys and breaking their stuff.
It is normally given because of actions taken that result in the saving of lives.
It is interesting to note the high percentage on "non-combatants" who have been awarded the medal.
Posted by: Michael | April 07, 2005 at 12:58 PM
You said: "When I was more cynical, I used to wonder..."
It's sort of funny, in a way, that young people are supposed to be idealistic and older people cynical. But I'm more idealistic than I ever was. And more optimistic, and more trusting of human potential to do good things in the world.
Posted by: Synova | April 07, 2005 at 01:08 PM
The other Michael (1st post) makes a good point. Sgt Smith died saving a lot of his fellow troops. The British recently gave out the first Victoria Cross (their highest decoration) to a guy who did much the same thing - saving lives:
Victoria Cross
Posted by: Mike | April 07, 2005 at 04:03 PM
God bless him, and God bless SFC Smith's family.
America is truly blessed and honored to have such men of valor, honor, leadership, and self-sacrifice to grace us with their example. I will be grateful to have such men to hold up to my daughter as pictures of true manhood.
"O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine! "
May he rest in peace and eternal honor.
Posted by: Romeocat | April 07, 2005 at 06:11 PM
I think the juxtaposition of the column about Sandy Berger and then this one about men who really do have leadership tells us even more about the lack of leadership and honor in the previous administration. Berger had a great responsibility and led many people in his function as NSA - and he shows us just how bad he was. Sgt Smith gave his life because he felt it incumbent on him to enact his leadership role by saving the lives of others. Can you see Sandy Berger ever ever ever doing something like this?
Posted by: dick | April 08, 2005 at 09:13 PM
I recall a thread on another blog several years ago, in which we were commenting on Medal of Honor citations, and I said, "Is it just me? I can't read Medal of Honor citations without getting all choked up."
Somebody else responded, "It's not just you, Ernie."
Posted by: Ernie G | April 09, 2005 at 10:32 AM