President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to seven U.S. Army veterans for their extraordinary acts of valor during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, marking his final Medal of Honor ceremony as Commander-in-Chief.
At a Glance
- Seven U.S. Army veterans received the Medal of Honor for acts of valor in Korean and Vietnam Wars
- Richard Cavazos, the first Hispanic four-star general, was posthumously honored
- Kenneth J. David was the only living recipient at the ceremony
- The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration
- President Biden emphasized the importance of honoring these heroes and American ideals
Honoring American Heroes
In a solemn ceremony held in the White House’s East Room, President Joe Biden bestowed the nation’s highest military honor upon seven U.S. Army veterans who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The Medal of Honor, awarded for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one’s life above and beyond the call of duty, recognizes these soldiers’ unwavering courage in the face of extreme danger.
Among the recipients was Richard Cavazos, the first Hispanic four-star general in U.S. Army history. Cavazos was posthumously honored for his daring efforts to evacuate wounded soldiers while under enemy fire during the Korean War. His brother, Tommy Cavazos, spoke of Richard’s character, saying, “He was a man of deep faith who loved his country, loved his family, loved his soldiers, and it was that love, that selfless love of which there’s no greater love that drove him up the hill that night in 1953 to collect the men of his company and get them to safety.”
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Kenneth J. David, the sole surviving recipient at the ceremony, was recognized for his heroism during a fierce battle in Vietnam in 1970. David’s presence at the White House ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers and the enduring impact of their actions.
“I’m deeply privileged to honor seven American heroes. That’s not hyperbole. These are genuine, to their core, heroes. Heroes of different ranks, different positions, and even different generations. But heroes who all went above and beyond the call of duty. Heroes who all deserve our nation’s highest and oldest military recognition, the Medal of Honor,” President Biden said.
Incredible. Biden aside, those stories are incredible.
Extraordinary Acts of Valor
The other recipients included Cpl. Fred B. McGee, PFC Charles Johnson, Pvt. Bruno R. Orig, Capt. Hugh R. Nelson Jr., and PFC Wataru Nakamura. Each soldier’s story is a testament to the extraordinary courage displayed by American servicemen during these conflicts. President Biden highlighted the sacrifice of Pvt. Bruno R. Orig, saying, “Bruno saw his fellow soldiers were wounded and stranded under enemy fire. Without hesitation, he ran out to rescue them, giving his own life to save the lives of his brothers in arms. That’s valor. That’s the definition of valor.”
“These are my final days as Commander-in-Chief,” President Biden said. “It’s been the greatest honor of my life to be entrusted with the greatest fighting force in the history of the world, the finest military in the history of the world.”
This ceremony not only honors these seven extraordinary individuals but also serves as a reminder of the countless acts of bravery performed by American soldiers throughout history. Their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to duty continue to inspire and shape the values of our nation’s armed forces.
