there are millions and millions of these men. Many of them are long dead, but who stood up and said “send me, I will go”.
and there are millions and millions of these men, who also serve this country, our society, by just being good men, moral and deliberate and steadfast ..also champions of courage and incredible strength…whom they received from fervant and continuous prayer.
what I am saying is “you don’t have to wear a patch on your arm to have honor” hat tip to one of the best movie lines and overall one of the best movies, albeit fiction, of my era.
I am proud to say I live in a state of very proud American Men and Women who served their country with honor, yet, never asking anything in return. They look at it, the same way that I do. Self Respect. Leadership. If you want to make a difference..then make a difference.
people are always watching. and they are taking notes. It really is the little things.
While the movie focused mainly on Brubaker, the true story was at the end of the movie though not told in its entirety.
JOHN KELVIN KOELSCH
DETAILS
RANK: LIEUTENANT, J.G.
CONFLICT/ERA: KOREAN WAR
UNIT/COMMAND:
NAVY HELICOPTER RESCUE UNIT,
U.S.S. PRINCETON
MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. NAVY
MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: JULY 3, 1951
MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: NEAR WONSAN, KOREA
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Navy helicopter rescue unit. Although darkness was rapidly approaching when information was received that a marine aviator had been shot down and was trapped by the enemy in mountainous terrain deep in hostile territory, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch voluntarily flew a helicopter to the reported position of the downed airman in an attempt to effect a rescue. With an almost solid overcast concealing everything below the mountain peaks, he descended in his unarmed and vulnerable aircraft without the accompanying fighter escort to an extremely low altitude beneath the cloud level and began a systematic search. Despite the increasingly intense enemy fire, which struck his helicopter on one occasion, he persisted in his mission until he succeeded in locating the downed pilot, who was suffering from serious burns on the arms and legs. While the victim was being hoisted into the aircraft, it was struck again by an accurate burst of hostile fire and crashed on the side of the mountain. Quickly extricating his crewmen and the aviator from the wreckage, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch led them from the vicinity in an effort to escape from hostile troops, evading the enemy forces for nine days and rendering such medical attention as possible to his severely burned companion until all were captured. Up to the time of his death while still a captive of the enemy, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch steadfastly refused to aid his captors in any manner and served to inspire his fellow prisoners by his fortitude and consideration for others. His great personal valor and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
I appreciate this. The finest traditions of US Naval Service..
now I am going to be picky here. When we say, men of the sea, understand there is ancient word, gallantry…that isn’t just being on a horse with a sword, or in a 300 year old hand musket duel.
think about this…you are at sea..it’s just you and your shipmates…you might as well be on mars….so far from home there is no 911 service..there will never be anyone coming to help…it’s just you and maybe 100 other crew members on your small list of mates….actually, be it told, they are probably only 12…because that’s how it really works….not everyone “ON BOARD” can be accounted “FOR”.
so here your are ..on mars and there are 11 people that would place their own lives on the line to make you live on more breath.
I saw Potato fall over on his bike once, and trudge through ankle deep sand.
Jeanine
June 18, 2026 6:02 pm
🥰 🥰 🥰 🥰
ed
June 18, 2026 6:08 pm
Congratulations and THANK YOU 🙏 to all of the HEROES both honored and those who may be unknown.
Sharon
June 18, 2026 6:33 pm
Trump must be exhausted but feels honor-bound to do this himself. God BLESS this man, and thank you for our quite extraordinary MOH recipients,
Mrs. Feeling
June 18, 2026 6:53 pm
Thank you Sundance, we love how you always post what’s really important.
We can’t honor them enough, and thank God we have a President who feels the same.
✝️🇺🇸🦅💯❤️
Anne
June 18, 2026 6:54 pm
A WONDERFUL MAN:
How Colonel John Ripley Exemplified Moral Courage–and What We Can All Learn from Himhttp://www.returntoorder.org/2018/03/how-colonel-john-ripley-exemplified-moral-courage-and-what-we-can-all-learn-from-him/
WorkforHim
June 18, 2026 7:06 pm
President Trump not missing a beat,,,ties a knot to hold the MOH in place around the neck of the major. 😂
Congrats to these heroes. God bless the USA.
Father’s Day on Sunday. Wonder if he will get a tie.
Marcia
June 18, 2026 7:27 pm
Retired Magistrate here: President Trump is in his element; happy to be home and honoring our heroes. GOD bless President Trump and keep him safe and let him get some much needed rest.
Barb
June 18, 2026 8:18 pm
Thank you President Trump for being the leader of our nation. You seem to never tire of fulfilling the role you have taken on! That ceremony was so gratifying. Loved it!!
Fionnagh
June 18, 2026 8:48 pm
Oh man, make sure you’ve got tissues nearby. Honored to watch this.
Kookooracharabioso
June 18, 2026 9:16 pm
🥹 🙏
Sharon
June 18, 2026 10:01 pm
In the moment, they acted out of instince and training to take care of their friend, their team, their very lives. They were not “aiming to be brave” in the situation – they were living their best life in that immediate situation. Willing to lay down their life to save the other’s.
Like another commenter suggested, keep the tissues handy. There are things worth shedding tears over –
Bruce Gordon
June 18, 2026 10:07 pm
God bless the heroes who have defended our liberty.
Where do we find such men?
Colonel Ripley’s is long overdue, not familiar with the other cases.
there are millions and millions of these men. Many of them are long dead, but who stood up and said “send me, I will go”.
and there are millions and millions of these men, who also serve this country, our society, by just being good men, moral and deliberate and steadfast ..also champions of courage and incredible strength…whom they received from fervant and continuous prayer.
what I am saying is “you don’t have to wear a patch on your arm to have honor” hat tip to one of the best movie lines and overall one of the best movies, albeit fiction, of my era.
I am proud to say I live in a state of very proud American Men and Women who served their country with honor, yet, never asking anything in return. They look at it, the same way that I do. Self Respect. Leadership. If you want to make a difference..then make a difference.
people are always watching. and they are taking notes. It really is the little things.
God Bless America
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Patti R.
God Bless America
While the movie focused mainly on Brubaker, the true story was at the end of the movie though not told in its entirety.
JOHN KELVIN KOELSCH
DETAILS
RANK: LIEUTENANT, J.G.
CONFLICT/ERA: KOREAN WAR
UNIT/COMMAND:
NAVY HELICOPTER RESCUE UNIT,
U.S.S. PRINCETON
MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. NAVY
MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: JULY 3, 1951
MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: NEAR WONSAN, KOREA
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Navy helicopter rescue unit. Although darkness was rapidly approaching when information was received that a marine aviator had been shot down and was trapped by the enemy in mountainous terrain deep in hostile territory, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch voluntarily flew a helicopter to the reported position of the downed airman in an attempt to effect a rescue. With an almost solid overcast concealing everything below the mountain peaks, he descended in his unarmed and vulnerable aircraft without the accompanying fighter escort to an extremely low altitude beneath the cloud level and began a systematic search. Despite the increasingly intense enemy fire, which struck his helicopter on one occasion, he persisted in his mission until he succeeded in locating the downed pilot, who was suffering from serious burns on the arms and legs. While the victim was being hoisted into the aircraft, it was struck again by an accurate burst of hostile fire and crashed on the side of the mountain. Quickly extricating his crewmen and the aviator from the wreckage, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch led them from the vicinity in an effort to escape from hostile troops, evading the enemy forces for nine days and rendering such medical attention as possible to his severely burned companion until all were captured. Up to the time of his death while still a captive of the enemy, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch steadfastly refused to aid his captors in any manner and served to inspire his fellow prisoners by his fortitude and consideration for others. His great personal valor and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/john-k-koelsch
I appreciate this. The finest traditions of US Naval Service..
now I am going to be picky here. When we say, men of the sea, understand there is ancient word, gallantry…that isn’t just being on a horse with a sword, or in a 300 year old hand musket duel.
think about this…you are at sea..it’s just you and your shipmates…you might as well be on mars….so far from home there is no 911 service..there will never be anyone coming to help…it’s just you and maybe 100 other crew members on your small list of mates….actually, be it told, they are probably only 12…because that’s how it really works….not everyone “ON BOARD” can be accounted “FOR”.
so here your are ..on mars and there are 11 people that would place their own lives on the line to make you live on more breath.
I need help takes on a brand new meaning.
God Bless America
Yes indeed. I’ve been there. That was a long time ago.
When the going got rough everyone pulled their weight and then some and the true essence of teamwork showed itself.
You said that so well.!
o7
Here is what Putin could have done, could do but will not do (and it is revealing of what he really is):
1/ Eliminate Zelensky and his close associates
2/ Target and sabotage western refineries like they sabotage Russian ones
3/ Target western tankers like they target Russian ones
4/ Strike all ways of communications between Ukraine and its western handlers (roads, rails, airports, ports).
5/ Destroy bridges on the Dnieper according to needs
6/ Keep striking Ukrainian military and energy facilities until complete surrender
7/ Stop talking to Trump until the US stops funding Ukraine, get rid of Kiril Dmitriev and replace him with a real negotiator.
Confirmed by local observers:
“I was wrong!”: Why Russia can’t avoid eliminating Zelensky
https://en.topcor.ru/72117-ja-oshibalsja-pochemu-rf-ne-obojtis-bez-unichtozhenija-zelenskogo.html
https://johnhelmer.net/new-dealer-for-iran-for-ukraine-vice-president-jd-vance-unveils-the-vanchorage-formula-for-president-vladimir-putin/
Perhaps Putin is Being Kept Deliberately in the Dark?
https://slavlandchronicles.substack.com
A Heartwarming Call Between Two Dear Old Friends
https://slavlandchronicles.substack.com
THE IRAN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IS A STICKUP TRUMP WILL TRY TO REPEAT WITH RUSSIA
https://johnhelmer.net/the-iran-memorandum-of-understanding-is-a-stickup-trump-will-try-to-repeat-with-russia/
Not sure what this has to do with the topic but you got your say.
Seriously? You just HAD to post this on a thread honoring heroes?
What an odd thing to say.
Excellent question – and it made me realize that we don’t find them – they volunteer.
President Reagan said it well.
We don’t find such men. They are made and they find us.
Wasn’t he just out of the country?
Hardest working President in modern history.
Amen!!!
EVER…PERIOD!
President Donald John Trump is a Force of Nature.
45 — 47
46 would have to spend a month on the shore with only 10% of the effort of 45-47.
Just simply Awesome!
Never saw this from BIDEN.
The most active we saw old Joe was when he was playing with his dog in the house while being naked. He skipped and fell and broke his foot.
After that it was just lying on the chaise lounge on the beach for him.
you forgot how uncharacteristically active Biden was going after ice cream cones.
Yes but he had to be led there lest he would get lost.
Thank you John for painting such a vivid word picture.
I will have to hit myself in the head with a hammer to get that image out of my mind. 😂😂
I saw Potato fall over on his bike once, and trudge through ankle deep sand.
🥰 🥰 🥰 🥰
Congratulations and THANK YOU 🙏 to all of the HEROES both honored and those who may be unknown.
Trump must be exhausted but feels honor-bound to do this himself. God BLESS this man, and thank you for our quite extraordinary MOH recipients,
Thank you Sundance, we love how you always post what’s really important.
We can’t honor them enough, and thank God we have a President who feels the same.
✝️🇺🇸🦅💯❤️
A WONDERFUL MAN:
How Colonel John Ripley Exemplified Moral Courage–and What We Can All Learn from Himhttp://www.returntoorder.org/2018/03/how-colonel-john-ripley-exemplified-moral-courage-and-what-we-can-all-learn-from-him/
President Trump not missing a beat,,,ties a knot to hold the MOH in place around the neck of the major. 😂
Congrats to these heroes. God bless the USA.
I have to wonder how the clip became inoperable.
I sure hope Mr. President gets a long weekend to rest. Wow. He’s barely back and here he is back in the saddle again.
Father’s Day on Sunday. Wonder if he will get a tie.
Retired Magistrate here: President Trump is in his element; happy to be home and honoring our heroes. GOD bless President Trump and keep him safe and let him get some much needed rest.
Thank you President Trump for being the leader of our nation. You seem to never tire of fulfilling the role you have taken on! That ceremony was so gratifying. Loved it!!
Oh man, make sure you’ve got tissues nearby. Honored to watch this.
🥹 🙏
In the moment, they acted out of instince and training to take care of their friend, their team, their very lives. They were not “aiming to be brave” in the situation – they were living their best life in that immediate situation. Willing to lay down their life to save the other’s.
Like another commenter suggested, keep the tissues handy. There are things worth shedding tears over –
God bless the heroes who have defended our liberty.
YOU SAID BEST!
Wow, just wow…..
“Trump lacks the dexterity to manage to operate a simple hook type clasp.”
“Trump demonstrates greater dexterity in tying two ends of a ribbon.”
These two things can’t be true at the same time.
What happened to the clasp?