We all know and talk about the Army values and strive to exemplify them in our lives. Though it is helpful to talk about them in definition, it is sometimes more helpful to see them in someone's life when they are showing them. Here are examples from the 22nd's history that show each Army value!
Loyalty
Private (PVT) James Kephart during Civil War exemplified Loyalty. During the Battle of Vicksburg PVT Kephart’s company was under extreme fire and were attempting to pull back to a batter position. PVT Kephart observed that an officer was wounded and unable to move back with the rest of his company. Observing this, in complete disregard for his own personal safety, PVT Kephart rushed into a hail of bullets to rescue this officer.
The Army defines loyalty as “Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers. Bearing true faith and allegiance is a matter of believing in and devoting yourself to something or someone. A loyal Soldier is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Soldiers. By wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army, you are expressing your loyalty. And by doing your share, you show your loyalty to your unit.”
PVT James Kephart’s actions on the Battlefield show us an example of Loyalty not only to his unit, but to the officers he served with. For his actions on the Battlefield, Private Kephart was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Duty
Private (PVT) Charles Pierce during the Philippine Insurrection exemplified Duty. While on a reconnaissance patrol in Luzon, out in front of 1st Battalion, PVT Pierce along with the rest of his squad (12 total soldiers) engaged an enemy force of 200 soldiers to hold a bridge that the enemy was destroying.
PVT Pierce was wounded during this engagement and was told to fall back. Filled with a sense of duty to not only his regiment but also his fellow soldiers, he stayed to continue to fight the insurgents until 1st Battalion arrived.
The Army defines duty as, “Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the U.S. Army is a complex combination of missions, tasks and responsibilities — all in constant motion. Our work entails building one assignment onto another. You fulfill your obligations as a part of your unit every time you resist the temptation to take “shortcuts” that might undermine the integrity of the final product.”
PVT Pierce’s actions on the battlefield show us an example of a sense of duty not only to the mission and regiment, but to your fellow soldier. For his actions PVT Pierce was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Respect
The original soldiers in the 22nd Infantry Regiment during the War of 1812 exemplified Respect. The war of 1812 against the British was the first time Congress used their power to declare war. The 22nd Infantry Regiment was a vital part to the success of the American Army in the Niagara Campaign.
One of the famous battles from this Campaign was the Battle of Chippewa. Before this battle, the United States had never defeated a British Infantry formation that was equal in number. The 22nd was training and were alerted that the British were approaching. Thinking that the 22nd was Buffalo Militia due to their grey uniforms, the British commander disrespected the 22nd by thinking it was going to be an easy day.
When he saw the expertise of the 22nd he yelled what would become a motto of the 22nd, “Those are regulars by God!”. The 22nd would earn the American Infantry the respect of the British and all other Armies as the first regular infantry formation to defeat a superior British force.
Respect is defined by the Army as, “Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort. The Army is one team and each of us has something to contribute.”
The 22nd Infantry’s actions on the battlefield in Canada earned the respect of the rest of the world for our military might. This sets an example for us in the 22nd to continue to perform at a high level. For their actions in that battle, the grey uniforms we worn are still worn by West Point Military Academy today.
Selfless Service
Lieutenant (LT) John Warren during the Vietnam War exemplified Selfless Service. When moving to reenforce a friendly unit under enemy fire, LT Warren’s patrol came in contact with the enemy. LT Warren located the enemy machine gun and moved up to that position under enemy fire.
While prepping his Grenade, LT Warren noticed that an enemy grenade was thrown out of the enemy machine gun bunker they were at. In an extreme act of selfless service, LT Warren jumped onto the grenade shielding the blast from the other soldiers with him. LT Warren would be killed in action.
The Army defines selfless service as, “Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.”
LT Warren did not have time to think about what he would do, but acted immediately to sacrifice himself for his soldiers. His actions on the battlefield have given us an example of selfless service to follow. For his actions, LT Warren received the Medal of Honor.
Honor
Chaplain Boice and the 22nd Infantry Society exemplified and continue to exemplify Honor. Chaplain Boice and others started the 22nd Infantry Society after WWII. This society was meant to honor and remember the sacrifices that the soldiers of the 22nd made. It was also a way for these veterans to bond together and help each other through adapting back to civilian life.
The Vietnam veterans were not well received by a lot of the American people on their return home from war. This was not an acceptable way to treat our veterans who sacrificed so much for us. The 22nd Infantry Society’s WWII veterans accepted Bob Babcock who was the first Vietnam veteran to join, and he was followed by many more who are now ensuring that the 22nd is honored and remembered.
The Army defines Honor as, “Live up to Army values. The nation’s highest military award is The Medal of Honor. This award goes to Soldiers who make honor a matter of daily living — Soldiers who develop the habit of being honorable and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.”
The members of the 22nd Infantry Regiment Society continue to live the Army values after their service and strive to ensure the current soldiers and other veterans are honored as well. These men and women want the active members of the 22nd to know that they are here for them and cannot wait for them to join them in the society’s community.
Integrity
Sergeant (SGT) Charles Ray during the Philippine Insurrection exemplified Integrity. While leading a reconnaissance patrol in Luzon, out in front of 1st Battalion, SGT Ray and saw that the enemy was disassembling a bridge. Though he had orders to not engage the enemy and fall back to report, He knew that if he did not attack the Battalion would not be able to cross.
He sent one soldier back to report and he and 10 other soldiers started to hold the bridge. They fought for hours and some of the soldiers sustained injuries and were forced to retreat. SGT Ray held the bridge against 200 enemy soldiers until the 1st Battalion could come to his aid.
The Army defines integrity as, “Do what’s right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself.”
SGT Ray knew that attacking a superior force and risking his life was the right thing to do even though it may cost him his life. SGT Ray’s actions on the battlefield are an example of the integrity that soldiers and leaders need to have. For his actions, SGT Ray was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Personal Courage
Private First Class (PFC) Marcario Garcia during the Second World War exemplified Personal Courage. Well in the fighting in the Hurtgen Forest, PFC Garcia’s squad came under intense enemy fire. PFC Garcia was wounded but refused to leave his soldiers and instead crawled under fire up to a machine gun emplacement and used grenades to destroy it, shooting 3 enemy soldiers dead as well. After PFC Garcia’s squad moved up to his position, another machine gun started to fire at them. PFC Garcia again crawled alone up to the machine gun nest with grenades destroying it, shooting three more Germans, and capturing four. Only after his platoon’s objective was taken did he leave the line to get medical care.
The Army defines Personal Courage as, “Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable.”
PFC Garcia as a squad leader knew that if he did not have the courage to destroy those machine guns the rest of his platoon could not accomplish their mission. He did his actions with no regard for his own safety, but his fellow soldiers. For his actions, PFC Garcia was awarded the Medal of Honor.
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