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Michigan's Military and Space Heroes Museum


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Private Joseph Glowin

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Joseph Anthony Glowin, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Marine Expeditionary Force (Dominican Republic) in action during an engagement at Guayacanas on 3 July 1916. Corporal Glowin participated in action against a considerable force of rebels on the line of march.

 

Although he served from 1923-1941 in the Detroit Police Department, none of his fellow policemen knew he had received this award until his death. He is just another example of how humble many Medal of Honor recipients are.

 

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Private Alfred Polond

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Alfred Polond, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1898, while serving with Company F, 10th U.S. Infantry, in action at Santiago, Cuba. Private Polond gallantly assisted in the rescue of the wounded from in front of the lines and while under heavy fire of the enemy.

 

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Chief Quartermaster Thomas Bourne

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman and Gun Captain Thomas Bourne, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action, serving as Captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, Louisiana, and while under fire and ramming by the rebel ship Morgan, 24 April 1862. During this action at extremely close range while his ship was under furious fire and was twice rammed by the rebel ship Morgan, Seaman Bourne remained steadfast at his gun and was instrumental in inflicting damage on the enemy until the Varuna, badly damaged and forced to beach, was finally sunk.

 

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Brevet Brigadier General William Withington

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Infantry) William Herbert Withington, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 21 July 1861, while serving with Company B, 1st Michigan Infantry, in action at Bull Run, Virginia. Captain Withington remained on the field under heavy fire to succor his superior officer.

 

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First Lieutenant Robert Poxon

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert Leslie Poxon (ASN: 0-5261161), United States Army (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a platoon leader with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces during a reconnaissance mission in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 June 1969. Landing by helicopter in an area suspected of being occupied by the enemy, First Lieutenant Poxon's platoon came under intense fire from enemy soldiers in concealed positions and fortifications around the landing zone. A soldier fell, hit by the first burst of fire. First Lieutenant Poxon dashed to his aid, drawing the majority of the enemy fire as he crossed 20 meters of open ground. The fallen soldier was beyond help and First Lieutenant Poxon was seriously and painfully wounded. First Lieutenant Poxon, with indomitable courage, refused medical aid and evacuation and turned his attention to seizing the initiative from the enemy. With sure instinct he marked a central enemy bunker as the key to success. Quickly instructing his men to concentrate their fire on the bunker, and in spite of his wound, First Lieutenant Poxon crawled toward the bunker, readied a hand grenade and charged. He was hit again but continued his assault. After succeeding in silencing the enemy guns in the bunker he was struck once again by enemy fire and fell, mortally wounded. First Lieutenant Poxon's comrades followed their leader, pressed the attack and drove the enemy from their positions. First Lieutenant Poxon's gallantry, indomitable will, and courage are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

 

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Private First Class Dewayne Williams

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Dewayne Thomas Williams (MCSN: 2420506), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 18 September 1968, while serving as a rifleman with the First Platoon, Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against communist insurgent forces in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Williams was a member of a combat patrol sent out from the platoon with the mission of establishing positions in the company's area of operations, from which it could intercept and destroy enemy sniper teams operating in the area. In the night as the patrol was preparing to move from its daylight position to a pre-selected night position, it was attacked from ambush by a squad of enemy using small arms and hand grenades. Although severely wounded in the back by the close intense fire, Private First Class Williams, recognizing the danger to the patrol, immediately began to crawl forward toward a good firing position. While he was moving under the continuing intense fire, he heard one of the members of the patrol sound the alert that an enemy grenade had landed in their position. Reacting instantly to the alert, he saw that the grenade had landed close to where he was lying and without hesitation, in a valiant act of heroism, rolled on top of the grenade as it exploded, absorbing the full and tremendous impact of the explosion with his body. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, he saved the other members of his patrol from serious injury and possible loss of life, and enabled them to successfully defeat the attackers and hold their position until assistance arrived. His personal heroism and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

 

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Lieutenant Colonel Matt Urban

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Infantry) Matt Louis Urban ( (Urbanowicz) (ASN: 0-416199), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action from June 14 - 3 September 1944, while assigned to the 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On 14 June, Captain Urban's company, attacking at Renouf, France, encountered heavy enemy small arms and tank fire. The enemy tanks were unmercifully raking his unit's positions and inflicting heavy casualties. Captain Urban, realizing that his company was in imminent danger of being decimated, armed himself with a bazooka. He worked his way with an ammo carrier through hedgerows, under a continuing barrage of fire, to a point near the tanks. He brazenly exposed himself to the enemy fire and, firing the bazooka, destroyed both tanks. Responding to Captain Urban's action, his company moved forward and routed the enemy. Later that same day, still in the attack near Orglandes, Captain Urban was wounded in the leg by direct fire from a 37-mm. tank-gun. He refused evacuation and continued to lead his company until they moved into defensive positions for the night. At 0500 hours the next day, still in the attack near Orglandes, Captain Urban, though badly wounded, directed his company in another attack. One hour later he was again wounded. Suffering from two wounds, one serious, he was evacuated to England. In mid-July, while recovering from his wounds, he learned of his unit's severe losses in the hedgerows of Normandy. Realizing his unit's need for battle-tested leaders, he voluntarily left the hospital and hitchhiked his way back to his unit hear St. Lo, France. Arriving at the 2d Bn. Command Post at 1130 hours, 25 July, he found that his unit had jumped-off at 1100 hours in the first attack of Operation Cobra. Still limping from his leg wound, Captain Urban made his way forward to retake command of his company. He found his company held up by strong enemy opposition. Two supporting tanks had been destroyed and another, intact but with no tank commander or gunner, was not moving. He located a lieutenant in charge of the support tanks and directed a plan of attack to eliminate the enemy strong-point. The lieutenant and a sergeant were immediately killed by the heavy enemy fire when they tried to mount the tank. Captain Urban, though physically hampered by his leg wound and knowing quick action had to be taken, dashed through the scathing fire and mounted the tank. With enemy bullets ricocheting from the tank, Captain Urban ordered the tank forward and, completely exposed to the enemy fire, manned the machine gun and placed devastating fire on the enemy. His action, in the face of enemy fire, galvanized the battalion into action and they attacked and destroyed the enemy position. On 2 Aug., Captain Urban was wounded in the chest by shell fragments and, disregarding the recommendation of the Bn. Surgeon, again refused evacuation. On 6 Aug., Captain Urban became the commander of the 2d Bn. On 15 Aug., he was again wounded but remained with his unit. On 3 Sep., the 2d Bn. Was given the mission of establishing a crossing-point on the Meuse River near Heer, Belgium. The enemy planned to stop the advance of the allied Army by concentrating heavy forces at the Meuse. The 2d Bn, attacking toward the crossing-point, encountered fierce enemy artillery, small arms and mortar fire which stopped the attack. Captain Urban quickly moved from his command post to the lead position of the battalion. Reorganizing the attacking elements, he personally led a charge toward the enemy's strong-point. As the charge moved across the open terrain, Captain Urban was seriously wounded in the neck. Although unable to talk above a whisper from the paralyzing neck wound, and in danger of losing his life, he refused to be evacuated until the enemy was routed and his battalion had secured the crossing-point on the Meuse River. Captain Urban's personal leadership, limitless bravery, and repeated extraordinary exposure to enemy fire served as an inspiration to his entire battalion. His valorous and intrepid actions reflect the utmost credit on him and uphold the noble traditions of the United States Army.

 

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That is the majority of what is on display at this great museum. What isn't on display (including a large number of Polar Bear artifacts) is currently being preserved in this room (this is only one side):

 

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I will be returning to the museum in a couple days and if anyone would like to see closeups or other photos, please don't hesitate to ask either on this thread or by PM.

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Wow, What a great topic. I live in Michigan and have never been there. I will put this on my things to see list.

 

Thanks for posting.

 

Tom

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  • 11 months later...

Bumping this thread back up (almost a year from the last response!)

I had the privilege of photographing several of the posthumous medal groups in the museum for my book. Sadly, I didn't have time to really spend looking at all the displays, but from those I did see...this museum is absolutely first rate! From incredible WW1 gallantry groups (I'm not sure I've ever seen so many North Russia DSC groups before!) to awards earned during the Global War on Terror (and astronauts!) there's literally something here for everyone. Yes. I'm pretty jaded when it comes to looking at medals, frankly, but I tell you what...I was really blown away by what they had.

 

If you live anywhere remotely close to Frankenmuth, the museum is a must-see!!!!

 

Dave

 

P.S. Hat-tip to Pete-O who told me about the museum. And I got to meet uniformcollector while I was there! What a day! :)

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