The German equivalent to the Medal of Honor is the Gold Cross Medal. Only 4 German soldiers have ever received it and no foreign soldier has ever received it—until 12 May.
A German parachute infantry unit was under very heavy fire in Afghanistan and had taken 11 casualties; they called for medivac and an American chopper responded. The ground fire was so intense that the Germans fully expected the chopper to leave–but they landed and took out the wounded soldiers. Eight of the 11 soldiers survived–none would have without the medical evacuation.
The German Government’s response was to award the Gold Cross to the four members of that flight crew. I’m proud to be an American.
