Altruistic Military Suicide

Ten case studies were examined to show the parameters for receiving the award.  There will also be cases that show the correlation between heroic combat deaths is not a hard and fast rule, but based on testimony from at least two witnesses that have to be credible.  In many of the cases, it was predominately the specific constellation of the situational circumstances that evoke exceptional behavior, while the determination of the particular individual who accomplished such behavior occurred almost entirely by chance (Gal, 1973).

Many of the case studies involve placing oneself in the direct path of an explosive charge to lessen the blast to the group that the individual is trying to protect.  It should be noted that there are many military heroes that go unrecognized because there were no surviving witnesses, or because the suicide occurred due to a military blunder that was concealed by those in charge.

The rank and age of the recipients of the Medal of honor will be discussed as a relevant factor to the act as well as there military occupation and branch of service.  Units that are considered elite “special forces” to include the Marine Corps, Army Airborne units, Rangers, Navy SEALs and other special rapid deployment forces. 

It will be evident that these elite units are generally awarded more Medals of Honor than “regulars” of the same branch of service.  These units consist of men taught to exhibit cohesiveness, solidarity, and membership in them is strongly sought after and difficult to achieve.

 The Marines look for “a few good men,” and indeed only a few are accepted to the elite units that display strong camaraderie and esprit de corps, and are specifically trained to sacrifice for the goals of the unit (Riemer, 1998)

The sacrifice of self for comrades is not a new occurrence, awarding medals for it is.  The quick decisions made on the battlefield reflect the need to keep the small “society” of soldiers together and alive.  The primary motivation for such acts is to maintain the group and the feeling of brotherhood with those involved in acute combat situations.  There is a need to be accepted by the group as one, and a sense that any member of the group would perform and equally heroic act if the need arose.