The Waltons
The Medal
TV Flash files “The Medal” as hour 197 of 220 in the TV Flash guide — The Waltons (1972–1981) on CBS, season 8, episode 23, aired 1980-02-28, 60 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S08E23: listed hour 197 of 220 in the The Waltons guide, hour 23 of 24 in season 8. It aired 1980-02-28 (60 min). The listed hour before it is “The Furlough” (S08E22). Next is “The Valediction” (S08E24).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
When a Mexican-American paratrooper who Curt saved at Pearl Harbor arrives on the mountain to personally deliver a medal awarded to Curt, things get off to a rocky start when bigots start picking on him due to his heritage. While there, Mary Ellen helps him work through his anger and the pair become close. Meanwhile, Corabeth crosses paths with an old beau who is preparing to go overseas with his Army unit.
Viewer FAQ
Where does The Medal sit in the The Waltons guide?
S08E23 is listed hour 197 of 220 — hour 23 of 24 in season 8, season 8 episode 23.
When did The Waltons S08E23 air?
The Medal aired 1980-02-28 and is listed at 60 minutes.
Where should I start?
Start with the early years while Richard Thomas is John-Boy. The Depression-era Virginia household and the good-night ritual are the premise.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Earl Hamner's Depression-era mountain family says good night until the roll call becomes national ritual. Richard Thomas's John-Boy, Ralph Waite, and Michael Learned hold a Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism. Family drama with patience and place — hearth, not sneer.
Good night, John-Boy — and good night to a whole mountain of Depression-era family mythology sold as weekly weather. CBS's The Waltons (1972–1981), from Earl Hamner Jr.'s autobiographical vein and Spencer's Mountain lineage, ran nine seasons, some 220 hours, with Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite, and Michael Learned at the emotional core. Will Geer and Ellen Corby held the grandparents' porch. Soft-focus values met real economic strain. The show became the gentle counterweight to 1970s cynicism. On the palate: radio…
Filed against
- Richard Thomas as John-Boy Walton
Richard Thomas's John-Boy Walton kept The Waltons' Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism — Earl Hamner's Depression-era mountain family saying good night until the roll call became national ritual. Hearth, not sneer. TV Flash files him as…
- Ralph Waite as John Walton Sr.
Ralph Waite played John Walton Sr. on The Waltons, Earl Hamner’s 1970s Depression-era mountain family that said good night until the roll call became national ritual. Richard Thomas’s John-Boy, Michael Learned, a Virginia porch against…
- Michael Learned as Olivia Walton
Michael Learned’s Olivia Walton held a Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism on The Waltons — Earl Hamner’s Depression-era mountain family, Richard Thomas’s John-Boy, Ralph Waite, good night until the roll call became national ritual. TV…
- Will Geer as Zebulon Walton
Will Geer’s Zebulon Walton said good night on The Waltons until the roll call became national ritual — Earl Hamner’s Depression-era mountain family, Richard Thomas’s John-Boy, Ralph Waite and Michael Learned holding a Virginia porch…
- Ellen Corby as Esther Walton
Ellen Corby said good night as Esther Walton on The Waltons — Depression-era mountain patience, a Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism, and a roll call that became national ritual. Hearth, not sneer. TV Flash files her as catalog…