Knights Cross vs. Medal of Honor

[johnrtse]

A light-hearted comparison of the German Knights Cross to the USA's Medal of Honor.

Is one better than the other?

Fire away!

[all1knew]

Moh

Hello,

I would say MOH, but I don't know a thing about it. The reason I say this is that I belive the MOH only had one grade, where the RK had several (oaks, ect.) so I don't really know, but that is my opinion. I also believe that far less MOH's have been awarded, even though the order has been around for some time. Can't wait to hear the others talk about this one.......great question!

William Kramer

[Jody]

Moh

Hello,
I would have to say the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor with a few exceptions was given for bravery above and beyond the call fo duty and was very difficult to win.

The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross was also for bravery, but could also be rewarded for successful command of a military operation, tonnage basis for U-boat commanders, etc. There were many ways a bearer of the RK could win his award. In addition there were grades to the RK, while the Medal of Honor stands alone.

The Medal of Honor was a little more focused in my opinion. The same holds true for the Victoria Cross.
Regards,
Jody

[StefanK.]

how much MOH were awarded in ww2?

[rexmundi]

It is correct that more RK than MOH where awarded. But don't forget that the Germans fought for a longer periode of time on multiple fronts.

[Gerd Becker]

It is correct that more RK than MOH where awarded. But don't forget that the Germans fought for a longer periode of time on multiple fronts.

3460 MoH´s were awarded in total and 7361 Knights Crosses.

Gerd

[crowback]

I believe Jody summed it up quite well.

Hello,
I would have to say the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor with a few exceptions was given for bravery above and beyond the call fo duty and was very difficult to win.

The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross was also for bravery, but could also be rewarded for successful command of a military operation, tonnage basis for U-boat commanders, etc. There were many ways a bearer of the RK could win his award. In addition there were grades to the RK, while the Medal of Honor stands alone.

The Medal of Honor was a little more focused in my opinion. The same holds true for the Victoria Cross.
Regards,
Jody

[Chris Wainwrigh]

From photos you see it looks like Knights Crosses were handed out to the general staff like trick or treat candy How many US generals were awarded the MOH in WW2. Very few.

[Marc Garlasco]

Yes, but I can actually buy an RK!
Marc

[MH184]

I tend to disagree and agree, I mean as history dictates lets view it as the CMoH was around before the RK (1861 army then naval 1862 and lastly the airforce 1967) as such and America didn't even have a proper army...armed forces until perhaps the late 30's even. They had numerical soldiers, but weren't even a force until late 1918 early1919, yeah they were made up in numbers certainly in the end, but structure no.

In the last months of WW1 they fought..... they had NO award system at all, alot of CMoH were awarded in the case of no other medal available, hence the award system revised and DSC came in etc etc The Silver Star I think was 1932 ??? Etc etc etc.

So as there was no award system proper in the US forces, CMoH were given out in WW1, were as in WW2 a DSC, Silver or Bronze star might have been or other, off the top of my head.

So the RK was awarded on a point system, but those involved in combat gallantry still would out weight the American's because the German forces were larger at a time and fighting on more fronts and for a longer duration in the war.

When push comes to shove, the American's entered late in both wars......so numbers don't matter, and can't be compared really. Maybe if the Americans had been in the war from the start (i.e Japan bombed them in 1939) there would be more CMoH perhaps ???

What does matter is brave men were recognised on either side for their deeds certainly.

So in that last sentance, I would summise that they are indeed equal where due. And if you consider the WW1 awards of the CMoH when there was no award system. Where do you place those ? (I'm sure they deserved the CMoH as indeed many DSC guys etc.......I've never understood how to qualify 'bravery')

Comparitive in a sense, but by by no means complete......but an opposite couterpart I would recognise them as such.


Kr

Marcus


With the exception of WW1, I think Jody does make some sense of it though.

[blinky]

The Americans fought on fewer fronts than the Germans? How so?


Eric

[Jody]

The Americans fought on fewer fronts than the Germans? How so?


Eric

Hello Eric,
I agree with your question. If you add it up the United States fought on as many fronts (and even more) as the Germans did. We fought in the Pacific, mainland Asia, the Aleutians, North Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, the war in the skies, convoy patrol in the Pacific, North and South Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and the Baltic, etc. US forces were stationed all over the world in WWII. We may have come in late when compared to other countries, but we were one of the main reasons for the destruction of the Axis powers.
Regards,
Jody

[George Stimson]

I would also have to go with the Medal of Honor.

[MH184]

You're correct, sorry for that and I'm wrong as noted.......duration then and in years and months of war full term.

I neglected to think of the Pacific etc at that moment in time.

[J G]

What about a Victoria Cross?

This medal's not in the comparison but I'd say our Victoria Cross outstrips them both. There's medals given for bravery then there's the VC. Underneath there uniform all VC holders will have had a blue suit with red pants, red cape and a big S on the front. 1355 awarded in total, ever. To read one story of how to earn a VC click here.