There has always been discrimination in the world, between individuals, communities, states, and even countries. This was particularly apparent during the time of World War I in England. Even though men were needed on the battlefields, medical exams prevented many from entering combat. Tests, such as eye exams, kept many men that rely on glasses out of battle. This was done because it was feared that these men would lose their glasses and become a danger, not only to themselves, but also to those around them. This was the problem for John Kipling, the main character of My Boy Jack, a film directed by Brian Kirk. Like the many others who tried to join the war effort, both the Army and the Navy medical boards turned John away because of his disability. After John’s father pulled some strings and got John into the Irish guard, he made both boards look foolish. John Kipling proved that despite his disability he was truly a good soldier and both the Army and the Navy boards were wrong to reject him.
It’s not to say that John had a simple journey, for in the beginning it seemed as though the boards were correct about him. At first, while training with the Irish guard, John found that his glasses were a problem and slowed him down. The officers around him also recognized this and made sure to point out that they knew, as one of the officers yelled at John, “This is no time for personal equipment, Kipling.” This line was important in showing the struggle John had with his glasses, as they slowed him down every time he needed to adjust them. John again had problems with his glasses while lying down and trying to shoot at a target in the rain. His first problem was the water that would gather on his glasses. The second problem came from th...
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...his was truly a triumph and success for John.
Like many of the allied soldiers in the early days of World War I, John, along with most of his platoon, was shot down on the battlefield. His death does not take away from the fact that he was a good soldier. In fact, John proved he was a great soldier, and an even better leader. John did what he had to do to make himself an asset on the battlefield, and he was rewarded for doing so with a promotion. He treated his promotion with great honor as he trained a platoon every bit as strong as the ones before and after them. When all was over, John proved both the Army and the Navy medical boards wrong, for he was not merely a great soldier, but an honorable soldier, and a successful officer.
Works Cited
My Boy Jack. Dir. Brian Kirk. Perf. David Haig, Daniel Radcliffe,
Kim Cattrall, and Carey Mulligan. ITV1, 2007. Film.
World War one saw many great airmen, but there were two that stood out among the rest; Captain Edward Rickenbacker and 2nd Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr. These men both demonstrated courage and bravery that ultimately asked them for their life. Both men received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their deeds of bravery, as well as earning the title of Ace. An Ace is someone that has shot down at least five enemy planes. Rickenbacker was nicknamed “Ace of the Aces”, while Luke was the first of only two men to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Luke honored his country through his actions. Frank Luke Jr demonstrated superior characteristics that lead him to make a valuable contribution to World War I through bravery, skilled flying skills, and selflessness.
During World War II, Beckwith joined the Marines, where he received the Purple Heart for wounds in action in 1943. Considering a military career, he app...
The actions taken by Moore and his command group from Company Commanders to NCO’s, saved the lives of numerous American soldiers. This battle shows the leadership and unit discipline were needed to survive and be combat effective in adverse situations. Throughout the battle you see numerous Army Values and Warrior Ethos being used. “I will never leave a fallen comrade”, was the etho used the most, to reach the separated platoon. The battle also shows that not all tactical orders are effective, but as leader you must never second guess yourself.
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty for service as a machine gunner with Company I on Operation ALLEN BROOK. Company I was approaching a dry river bed with a heavily wooded tree line that borders the hamlet of Lee Nam, when they suddenly came under intense mortar, rocket propelled grenades, automatic weapon and small arms fire from a large, well concealed enemy force which halted the company’s advance and wounded several marines. Realizing that key points of resistance had to be eliminated to allow the units to advance and casualties to be evacuated. Pfc. Burke, without hesitation, seized his machine gun and launched a series of 1-man assaults against the fortified emplacements. As he aggressively maneuvered to the edge of the steep river bank, he delivered accurate suppressive fire upon several enemy bunkers, which enabled his comrades to advance and move the wounded marines to positions of relative safety. As he continued his combative actions, he located an opposing automatic weapons emplacement and poured intense fire into the position, killing 3 North Vietnamese soldiers as they attempted to flee. Pfc. Burke then fearlessly moved from one position to another, quelling the hostile fire until his weapon malfunctioned. Obtaining a casualty’s rifle and hand grenades, he advanced further into the midst of the enemy fire in an assault against another pocket of resistance killing 2 more of the enemy. Observing that a fellow marine had cleared his malfunctioning machine gun he grasped his weapon and moved into a dangerously exposed area and saturated the hostile tree line until he fell mortally wounded.
Pat Barker's novel Regeneration explores the effects that World War I has on the human condition and more specifically on the condition of the British people. One particular area of exploration is the detrimental presence of class distinctions within the ranks of the British military. This issue of class distinction is addressed specifically on pages 66 and 67 of the novel through a conversation between Billy Prior and Dr. Rivers. The characters' discussion reinforces Barker's theme of the injustices of these class distinctions and the harm they produce on the war front.
In his book, My Fellow Soldiers, Andrew Carroll tells the story of World War I through the eyes of the American participants. He uses quotes, personal letters and diaries, from an array of characters, to depict a day in the life of a WWI warrior. Though, he narrows his focus on the untold story of General John J. Pershing, a US army leader. He uniquely talks about the General's vulnerable and emotional side. "Pershing was notoriously strong-willed, to the point of seeming cold, rigid, and humorless, almost more machine than man" (p.XVIII). Pershing is commonly recognized for his accomplishments during the war and remembered for his sternness. He was "…especially unforgiving when it came to matters of discipline" (p. XVIII). Nicknamed "Black Jack" due to his mercilessness towards his soldiers, in this book, Pershing is portrayed as a General with much determination and devotion to his troops, family, and close friends.
John has always succeeded in every mission no matter what the cost. He has only lost a fellow Spartan in battle under his command when it is the last resort to further increase his team's chance of success, but every time a fellow Spartan has been lost it was because the Spartan volunteered to risk or give his life for the mission at hand. This shows that his teammates have the same view on a mission as he does.
General John Pershing was arguably one of the most creative, tactical commanders and of the last century. His commitment to his troops, his duty, and his loyalty to the United States and his sense of honor fashioned one of the greatest leaders our country has ever seen. His contributions to the modern army is beyond reproach (Perry, 2011).
Whether weeds invade a lawn, farmland or grazing pastures, they can be a frustrating sight to behold. Because weeds tend to be quite adaptable and adept at surviving, they can be difficult to eradicate. Fortunately, not every weed can thrive in New Mexico and Southwest Texas; unfortunately, there are several that are extremely common.
“The war correspondent is responsible for most of the ideas of battle which the public possesses … I can’t write that it occurred if I know that it did not, even if by painting it that way I can rouse the blood and make the pulse beat faster – and undoubtedly these men here deserve that people’s pulses shall beat for them. But War Correspondents have so habitually exaggerated the heroism of battles that people don’t realise that real actions are heroic.”
Webster’s dictionary defines the word profession as a type of job that requires special education, training, or skill. Many Soldiers would not consider the Army as a profession but a way of life. Some think the word profession belongs to everyday jobs like a plumber, mechanic, or doctor. Dr. Don M. Snider stated “the Army is a profession because of the expert work it produces, because the people in the Army develop themselves to be professionals, and because the Army certifies them as such” (Snider, D. M. 2008). In October 2010, the Secretary of the Army directed the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to lead an Army wide assessment of the state of the Army Profession. We have been at war as a Country for over a decade and the Army wanted to know how to shape the future of the Army as a profession and the effects the past decade had on our profession.
General Douglas MacArthur uses pathos in his speech. To give gratitude to the soldiers have been fighting beside him and to those who has devoted their life on the battlefield, he told the audience how some of his brothers died uncomplaining with honor and glory in their hearts. Such words have the ability to arise American's appreciation along with sympathy. How some people will devote their life for the love of their country is, indeed, something that is truly affecting.
Exemplary performance has always attracted accolades and numerous prices; this gives morale and vigor for everyone to achieve their best. In the disciplined forces, particularly the marine, the service members always receive a major reward that elevates them in rank; this is the medal. This rewards them for their bravery and contribution in the missions they are involved in. Indeed, they contribute a lot to the peace and security of the world at large and they truly deserve these medals for recognition (Tucker, 2011). This has been a practice for the U.S. Marine to issue Corps medals since the Civil War to present day. Among the Corps Medal categories include American Defense Medal-WWII, Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal among others. Since the Civil War there have been over 120 U.S. Marine Corps Medals. This paper identifies Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller and describes why he has been one of the most decorated marines in the history of the U.S.
John Allen Muhammad, also known as John Allen Williams, was born on December 31, 1960 in Louisiana. After the passing of his mom when Muhammad was the age of four, his aunt, Baton Rouge raised him. After Muhammad finished high school he married Carol Kaglear. They had a son and named him Linbergh. He then started a military career that was promising at first. His commanders described him as personable and outgoing. By the early 1980’s his cracks were beginning to show. He failed to report for duty and hit an officer, resulting in trouble (Biography, par 1, 2, 3).
John would have to travel to an army base for his basic training, and then he would be assigned directly to Pakistan to fight in the war. As upsetting as it would be to leave his home and college life, he knew it was his responsibility to go. If he had only studied a little harder, or gone to a professor for extra help, he would probably be returning to school. But these were the consequences he would have to face, and he would face them like a man.