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The Medal of Honor Foundation Recognizes DoD Health System's Use of Technology

"There is high professionalism displayed daily by our people - the military men and women in all medical specialties - who unselfishly provide the day-to-day care to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines." - William Winkenwerder, MD Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs Department of Defense

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation has honored the Department of Defense Military Health System (MHS) with its 2005 "Cutting Edge Award." The Foundation award recognizes the MHS for saving the lives of thousands of military members around the world before, during and after combat by embracing innovation and through the use of new technologies. In my remarks to the Foundation's guests, I said how honored I was to accept this award bestowed on our medical professionals, who are true heroes. During the Vietnam conflict alone, for example, 15 military medics received the Medal of Honor, reflecting the often-used phrase, "A marine has never taken a hill beyond the sight of a military medic." I pointed out that selfless acts of heroism by military medical personnel could be found in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well. I personally have witnessed extraordinary efforts, many of which have led the Department to now have the lowest rate of combat-related deaths in military history. This is no accident, but one achieved by very good people who have dedicated their lives to advancing the availability and quality of healthcare farther forward on the battlefield than ever before.

The goal of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, which consists exclusively of recipients of the Medal of Honor, supported by the Foundation, is to reach out to the citizens of America to promote an awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary Americans, through courage, sacrifice and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of history.