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REPUBLICAN PRESS RELEASE

February 16, 2007

SENATE RESOLUTION MAKES MARCH 25 “MEDAL OF HONOR DAY”

Craig’s home state of Idaho has at least 5 living recipients

Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) A resolution passed Thursday night by the U.S. Senate designates March 25, 2007 as "National Medal of Honor Day." The day is set aside to acknowledge the more than 3,400 individuals who have received the nation’s highest honor.

"All veterans are honored on Veterans Day and we remember those who have fallen with Memorial Day. This year we will also honor the elite of the elite with their own day," said Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. "I am very pleased to have joined in co-sponsoring this legislation with my friend, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii)."

Akaka now serves as chairman of the committee, a post Craig held in the last session of Congress.

According the Medal of Honor Society, there are presently only 111 living individuals who have received the Medal of Honor, including at least five in Craig’s home state of Idaho.

Marine Captain Arthur Jackson lives in Boise and was awarded the medal in 1945 for his heroic actions fighting the Japanese. Army First Lieutenant Vernon Baker lives near the northern Idaho town of St. Maries, and also received the medal for his actions during World War II – fighting the Germans in Italy. Baker is the nation’s only living African American World War II hero to receive the Medal of Honor. He did not receive his medal until 1997.

Air Force Major Bernie Fisher lives in the southwest Idaho community of Kuna and received his medal in 1967 for his heroic actions in Vietnam. He was the first aviator to receive the medal while still living – all previous recipients had received the honor posthumously.

Army Captain Ed Freeman lives in Boise and Navy Lt. Tom Norris lives in the north Idaho community of Hayden Lake. They also received their medals for their heroic actions in Vietnam – Norris in 1976 and Freeman in 2001.

Another famous Idahoan to receive the Medal of Honor was Greg "Pappy" Boyington, the legendary World War II ace whose actions were later highlighted in the "Black Sheep Squadron" television show. Boyington was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and was raised in St. Maries.

"Idaho has had several men who have been recognized with the Medal of Honor. I suspect we will have many more," Craig said.

According the Home of Heroes website, which is dedicated to those who have received the Medal of Honor, eight Medals of Honor were awarded for heroic actions "on the ground" in Idaho during the American Indian wars of the 1800's.

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Larry Scott

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