July 12th: Medal of Honor, Presidential Helicopters and Murder

On this day in history, President Lincoln established the Medal of Honor, President Eisenhower utilized a helicopter, two people went on a murder spree, and the first Marine received the Medal of Honor during Vietnam.

1862: Lincoln Establishes Medal of Honor

The Congressional Medal of Honor was created to honor members of all the military branches. The honor is bestowed upon those individuals who have distinguished themselves in combat and risk their life for their comrades.

The first medals of honor were awarded to six U.S. Army soldiers who penetrated into a Confederate territory in order to destroy bridges and railroad tracks between Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Over 3,400 men and one woman have received the medal of honor since its creation during the Civil War.

1957: First Presidential Helicopter Ride

President Eisenhower was the first president to use helicopters as a regular mode of transportation. It was at his suggestion that the secret service implemented the use of this new technology for short official rides to and from the White House.

Protection was provided by the HMX-1 Nighthawks squadron, which was operated by both the Army and Marine Corps. It was until 1976 that the Marines took over all helicopter operations.

Even though there are currently 19 helicopters available for presidential use, all are referred to as Marine One when in service. Sikorsky VH-3D helicopters, or Sea Kings, are the most prominent model used for travel. The president also has a UH-60 Blackhawk available.

1963: Moors Murderers Begin

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Ian Brady and Myra Hindley began their killing spree of teenagers that spanned over two years.

The pair met in Manchester in 1961 and formed a very sadistic relationship. In order to fulfill their sadistic impulses, they began to kidnap teenagers and subsequently murder them.

Their first victim, Pauline Reade, was a 16-year-old girl from Gorton, England. After her murder, Brady and Hindley continued to kidnap both teenage girls and boys; those victims ranged from ages 10 to 12.

The duo's downfall began when they killed a 17-year-old boy with a hatchet in the presence of David Smith, Myra Hindley’s brother-in-law. It is believed they were attempting to recruit him, but failed to do so. It was Smith who turned them in to the police.

During the investigation, officials found photos of one victim being tortured, as well as audio tapes in which she begged for her life. Other photographs placed the couple in deserted Saddelworth Moor in England, where the body of another victim was found.

Pauline Reade’s body was discovered in 1987, after Brady confessed to the murder during an interview with reporters.

Brady continued to confess to other murders, but police were unable to confirm whether they were true or not. Brady and Hindley were sentenced to life in prison in 1966.

1965: First Marine Receives Medal of Honor During Vietnam

Lt. Frank Reasoner of Kellogg, Idaho valiantly gave his life for his men during a Viet Cong ambush of Company A of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion.

The six-man team was cut off from the rest of the group when they were ambushed. Lt. Reasoner ordered his man to lay down and exposed himself to enemy fire. He managed to kill two Viet Cong and wiped out an enemy machine gun emplacement. As he raced through enemy fire to rescue his injured radio operator, Reasoner was killed instantly by enemy machine gun fire.