Capture the flag

 

 

I wrote this and a few other postings while I was on the airliner to and fro to London for our cruise.  So this is a week or so old.  Sorry.

 

 This Medal of Honor series has been an enjoyable research episode. I've learned quite a bit about the Medal of Honor's history. (Yes, Beans, I still have a few more USAF Recipients to report upon.) Just thought I'd do some background.  So...

 

 

SOURCE

 

  This is what I thought capturing the flag involved.  I wasn't wrong and the flag for both sides was generally the communication  and organization method used by the commanding general to control their troops in battle up to and including the Civil War.  After the Civil War, military units started stopping carrying the colors  and were replaced with the invention of the radio.

 

However, up to that point, in American battles, capturing the enemy's flag or protecting yours was a common reason to award the Medal of Honor. In the Civil War, There were 1523 Medal of Honor Recipients, many, if not most, were capturing or protecting the flag.

 

Source

 

 

JACOB PARRISH 

 

Jacob Parrish was the First Recipient of the Medal of Honor.  His Award reads First US MOH Recipient.

:

 

One of the 19 of 22 men (including 2 civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Mitchell (or Buell) penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and tracks between Chattanooga and Atlanta.

 

That didn't happen very often and still doesn't. 

 

 First MOH Recipient

 

Jacob Parrish was the First Recipient of the Medal of Honor.  His Citation reads:

 

"One of the 19 of 22 men (including 2 civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Mitchell (or Buell) penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and tracks between Chattanooga and Atlanta."

 

  

SOURCE

 

The picture above links to a story of the Medal of Honor to George W. Reed, the hero mentioned in the picture above.  A very interesting story and the Honoree survived the event and the Civil War, passing in 1906.

 

OK, Juvat why was capturing the enemy's flag such a big deal?  A good question that finding the answer was rewarding. 

 

Good question, I didn't know, but a little internet research......

 

"Capturing an enemy’s battle flag during the Civil War was considered one of the most dangerous and significant acts of valor because the flag was the regiment’s most important battlefield reference point.

 

Military importance of the flag
In the pre‑radio era, regimental colors were carried by a color bearer and guarded by a small “color guard.” They served as the primary visual guide for troop movements in the smoke and chaos of battle, directing soldiers forward or back, and often acting as rallying points Congressional Medal of Honor Society+1. Losing the flag meant confusion, disarray, and the risk of friendly fire. Both Union and Confederate soldiers knew that killing or capturing the color bearer was a major tactical blow Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

High risk of capture
Because of their strategic value, enemy flags were heavily defended. Penetrating the color guard’s defenses and returning with the flag required bravery in the face of heavy fire. Many attempts failed, and those who succeeded often did so at great personal cost theedgeofmemory.com.

Symbolic and morale impact
Capturing a flag was not just a tactical win — it was a morale boost for the capturing side and a blow to the enemy’s cohesion. It could demoralize troops, disrupt command, and signal to the enemy that their unit was vulnerable National Cemetery Administration. In some cases, like Thomas Custer’s double-flag capture, the act honored two enemy regiments at once National Cemetery Administration.

Examples of Medal of Honor captures
Several Medal of Honor recipients were honored for flag captures, including:

• - Corporal George W. Reed (1864) capturing the 24th North Carolina Infantry’s flag during the Weldon Railroad campaign Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

• - Corporal Harrison Collins (1864) killing a Confederate major and routing his men to secure a flag theedgeofmemory.com.

• - Major William B. Hincks (1863) capturing a Confederate 14th Tennessee Infantry flag during Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg www.war.gov.

• - Captain Thomas Custer (1865) capturing two Confederate flags at Namozine Church and Sailor’s Creek National Cemetery Administration.

 

In summary: Capturing the flag earned a Medal of Honor because it was a rare, high‑risk feat that disrupted enemy command, boosted friendly morale, and demonstrated exceptional courage under fire — all of which aligned with the criteria for the nation’s highest military honor"

 

A lot, if not most, of the Civil War Recipients received the Medal because of this action.  Who am I to judge?

 

Taken verbatim from here Bing.Com (The link is embedded.)

 

 

 I found this whole subject very interesting and time consuming, but...when you're on two flights totaling 34 hours of your time going to and fro, what else do you have to do!

 

Enjoy!