President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army soldiers at a White House ceremony on Monday. The event recognized heroes from past conflicts and included commentary from the President on current affairs.
Honorees and Their Distinguished Service
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Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson: Recognized for actions during the Vietnam War on September 14, 1968. As a staff sergeant, he rescued three wounded soldiers under heavy machine gun fire. He then directed airstrikes on an enemy camp for at least seven hours despite being wounded. His courageous actions ultimately saved the lives of 85 service members.
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Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis (posthumous): Honored for his bravery in Afghanistan on August 28, 2013. During an attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Ollis directed soldiers to a bunker, then returned to check for others. He then positioned himself to shield Polish Army officer Lt. Karol Cierpica from an insurgent. Ollis was mortally wounded when the insurgent's suicide vest detonated. Cierpica spoke at the ceremony, paying a poignant tribute to Ollis.
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Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds (posthumous): Awarded for his leadership and resistance as a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II. In early 1945, Edmonds, as the ranking non-commissioned officer, defied a German order to segregate Jewish-American prisoners. He famously declared, "We are all Jews here." This decisive action prevented the torture or death of approximately 200 Jewish American POWs. He also prepared prisoners to resist during a subsequent evacuation order, which led to the Germans abandoning the camp. His son, Chris Edmonds, accepted the medal on his behalf.
Presidential Remarks
"There’s no ceremony that can be more important than this," President Trump stated, reflecting on the profound nature of bravery.
During the ceremony, the President also addressed various other topics. These included situations in Iran, immigration policies, White House decor choices, and Polish elections.
The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration, awarded by U.S. presidents, in the name of Congress, for combat service that exceeds the call of duty and involves risking one's life.