Do your research, Willard Scott
MrBill sends us a video from Willard Scott’s usual shout outs to centenarians. At about 34 seconds into the video, Scott mentions 104-year-old Walter Crenshaw who he says “won” the Congressional Medal of Honor
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Of course, five seconds of research reveals that Walter didn’t “win” the Congressional Medal of Honor, nor was he awarded it. But another five seconds of research reveals that Walter was a Tuskegee Airman, and the Tuskegee airmen were, as a unit, awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. We have the Tuskegee Airmen’s Historian on the line and he tells us that it’s a common misconception among the media and family members that those brave pilots were awarded a Medal of Honor when they really weren’t. But, you’d think someone at NBC who has unrestricted access to interns and fact checkers would get that right.
I don’t blame Walter, I blame Willard, who should have gotten this one right. Membership with the Tuskegee airmen would have made this a better tribute than the announcement of an award that he never received. Scott dishonored Crenshaw’s service by not doing even ten seconds of research on the man before the show.
And Happy Birthday, Sergeant Walter Crenshaw, Tuskegee Airman, and may you have many more.
Category: Media
“And Happy Birthday, Sergeant Walter Crenshaw, Tuskegee Airman, and may you have many more.”
Yeah, what Jonn said!
details shmetails. the press can’t be bothered with them.
Those Tuskegee Airmen were such a wonderful group, on so many levels that it defies description. Great patriots.
Yes, what Jonn and OT said.
Kudos, SGT Crenshaw. May you live to see 110 or more.
“I don’t blame Walter….” No, none of us should. In fact, he’s probably embarrassed by the egegious error. All Willard the Clown had to say was, “…Walter Crenshaw, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen…” And if that isn’t enough for the viewers, then mentioning the MOH or the Congressional Gold Maedal would have meant nothing to them anyway.
Oh, please don’t forgive Willard’s slacking. With the lackadaisical attitude that exists in the media, especially the visual media, getting the facts is less important than making the effort.
Mr. Crenshaw is one tough bird. We should all do so well.
A link I posted to NBC News’ Facebook page disappeared. So I guess that I’ll just wait for the apology to Walter with bated breath.
Shhhhh…Jonn, we can’t be showing up the MSM. We’re just a bunch of low-information proles, now.
Media mush-heads always ASSume they’re right no matter what, it will never get through their lard-filled heads that you don’t “win” a Military Award or Decoration, you are awarded it. Something like an Olympic Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal, or any sports award, yeah, those are won. But just how many of today’s mess media talking heads are Vets to begin with?
Happy Birthday Sergeant Walter Crenshaw. Thank you for your service sir.
I don’t blame Willard so much; he never really was a journalist, more an entertainer/TV personality. (Plus, he’s almost 80 years old and mostly retired; the birthday segments are the only thing he does anymore.) But, he (and the viewers) are ill-served by the NBC producers and researchers who should make sure the segments are right before going on the air. Hell, they couldn’t even be bothered to make sure Willard’s tie was straight before going on the air today!
What really floored me was that Rep. Henry Waxman made the same mistake. You’d think that if anyone should know the difference between a Congressional Medal of Honor and a Congressional Gold Medal, it would be a blinking CONGRESSMAN!
http://capitolwords.org/date/2013/10/22/E1536-4_honoring-walter-crenshaw-jr-longest-living-member-/
When I am 104, I might say that too, along with the Victorian Cross and the Golden Trophy for biggest Co@k Award.
This weekend we watched Red Tails … If you have not seen it … Please do!
Happy birthday Walter … I salute YOU!
Did you all see that Hot Date from Arizona! Dayumm! I’m not old enough to date him, but he is one hunky guy!
@11, Mr Bill, my cats cough up hairballs that are MUCH smarter and more competent than Henry Wax-head!!
Walter Crenshaw is my Father. I visited with him today. He is doing very well and is in the best of spirits. He has so very much for us to accomplish when I visit – often. His mind is extremely sharp for his age. He can and will discuss anything.
Below are web sites that show him being honored so many times over the last three years. Take your time and review each one.
He received his Congressional Medal of Honor July 12, 2012 at the City Hall in Torrance, California (web site attached).
Dad’s rank is Staff Sargent. He was the Administrative Assistant to the Provost Marshall of Moten Field at Tuskegee Army Air Field.
He was trained by the Army for this position at Ft. Devins, Colorado. The Smithsonian Institute has received all of his class documents and papers from that era to be displayed there shortly.
http://www.dailynews.com/lifestyle/20131027/oldest-living-tuskegee-airman-walter-crenshaw-celebrates-104th-birthda
https://www.LADodgers.com/Veterans – search Billie Ashley, Walter Crenshaw
https://www.Dailey news.com/WalterCrenshaw
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=734574489889979&set=vb.100000123043548&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=727940457220049&set=vb.100000123043548&type=2&theater
http://article.wn.com/view/2013/10/28/Oldest_living_Tuskegee_Airman_Walter_Crenshaw_celebrates_104_0/#/related_news
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP0p-E3RX1c
http://www.dailybreeze.com/general-news/20120217/seven-lauded-at-black-history-celebration-in-torrance
http://wapc.mlb.com/lad/play/?content_id=31218059&c_id=la
I did not see the show this morning. Several friends and relatives called from Florida, Alabama and Michigan to let me know Dad was on TV this morning.
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify some of these matters.
Thank you very much for those links! Will take the time in the morning (when a bit more clear headed) to look at them.
One of my best memories is of visiting the Tuskegee Airfield about 15 years ago. It was in a horrid state of disrepair, but still, the spirit of the place was inescapable.
Please pass along my personal gratitude to your Father. His service is much respected by his younger brother and sister veterans.
I’ll bet for the Smuckers birthday tributes, they take information supplied by the family and don’t independently fact-check. Evidently the family is confused about the name of the award as well, and that may be the source here.
@15 – Ms. Crenshaw, your father is an awesome man! Our discussion here has been about the confusion between the Congressional Gold Medal – which is an honor – and the Congressional Medal of Honor, which despite the similar-sounding name, is a different award. Best wishes to your father and the Crenshaw family!
A Congressional Gold Medal is one of the two of the nation’s highest civilian awards that can be conferred upon an individual or group, literally requiring an act of Congress by supermajority to be issued. As any bill, it must be signed by the President in order to take effect. For the Congressional Gold medal issued collectively to the Tuskegee Airmen, President George W. Bush signed the legislation and on 28 March 2007 he hosted a day for surviving members, their families, and widows of airmen at the Rotunda. A bronze replica medal was issued. Amazingly, in the caption to the photo which accompanied the USA story regarding the event, the medal erroneously was called the “Congressional Medal of Honor.” Funny how the newspapers never mistake a Tony Award for an Oscar, or a Pulitzer Prize with a Nobel Peace Prize. I wonder why that is.
Ft. Devins, CO? Think that may be a tad off…. by about 2000 miles.