Mike Serpa Posted July 20, 2017 What happens when a DSC is upgraded to a MOH? Does the recipient give back his DSC? Is the DSC citation stricken from the books? Any other information to add? Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uniformcollector Posted July 20, 2017 Not sure about all recipients, but when Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles had his DSC upgraded last year, he sent back his original DSC. I'm not sure what happened to it from there. However, he still has his citation and I don't think they would have taken it from him had he not offered to return it. At a certain point, what would the government have to gain by taking a medal from a man who earned it just because it was upgraded? Will Twomey In Honor of: USA General John Wickham (1928-) USAF Colonel Bernie Fisher MOH (1927-2014) USMC Sergeant Al De Vito (Chosin Reservoir Survivor) (1926-) USA Cpl. Macedonio Leyba (Bataan Death March survivor) (1917-2007) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GIKyle Posted July 20, 2017 I -think- the award is rescinded if the upgrade is approved. Doesn't mean the serviceman has to return the award, just that they now wear the MOH in its place. I stress the think part because during the recent ceremonies that were upgrades from lower awards, many of the recipients were still wearing their original award on their uniform. Kyle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Serpa Posted July 21, 2017 Not sure about all recipients, but when Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles had his DSC upgraded last year, he sent back his original DSC. I'm not sure what happened to it from there. However, he still has his citation and I don't think they would have taken it from him had he not offered to return it. At a certain point, what would the government have to gain by taking a medal from a man who earned it just because it was upgraded? Thanks. IMO Kettles did the right thing. The government has nothing to gain. It seems improper to wear both medals if the lesser one were upgraded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uniformcollector Posted July 21, 2017 Good point. I think he is still as sharp as he was 50 years ago and was quick to offer his medal once upgraded. As far as wearing the ribbon at ceremonies, I believe that is because the veteran is still a cross recipient up until the moment that the President places the new medal around his neck and signs the citation. After that, I have seen the DSC ribbon switched out with a MOH ribbon. Will Twomey In Honor of: USA General John Wickham (1928-) USAF Colonel Bernie Fisher MOH (1927-2014) USMC Sergeant Al De Vito (Chosin Reservoir Survivor) (1926-) USA Cpl. Macedonio Leyba (Bataan Death March survivor) (1917-2007) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Serpa Posted July 25, 2017 Good point. I think he is still as sharp as he was 50 years ago and was quick to offer his medal once upgraded. As far as wearing the ribbon at ceremonies, I believe that is because the veteran is still a cross recipient up until the moment that the President places the new medal around his neck and signs the citation. After that, I have seen the DSC ribbon switched out with a MOH ribbon. Thanks. (Your avatar with some guy.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Posted July 25, 2017 In times past, a separate general order rescinding the first award was promulgated, and then another general order awarded the upgraded award. I'm sure there were many variations of this, but I've seen this method happen before. As far as the physical award, the recipient retained it as a souvenir. They just couldn't wear it anymore. Only a weak society needs government protection or intervention before it pursues its resolve to preserve the truth. Truth needs neither handcuffs nor a badge for its vindication. -Supreme Court Justice Anthony KennedyPeace is not the absence of war, but the defense of hard-won freedom. -Anton LaGuardia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uniformcollector Posted July 26, 2017 Thanks. (Your avatar with some guy.) Thanks Mike, that's a great shot! Col. Fisher was quite a pilot and man. There's another photo I love from that ceremony that shows one of his sons wearing their dad's cap. Will Twomey In Honor of: USA General John Wickham (1928-) USAF Colonel Bernie Fisher MOH (1927-2014) USMC Sergeant Al De Vito (Chosin Reservoir Survivor) (1926-) USA Cpl. Macedonio Leyba (Bataan Death March survivor) (1917-2007) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Serpa Posted August 21, 2017 Thanks all for your replies! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
