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Well, welcome to the White House.
The presentation of our nation's highest military decoration -- the Medal of Honor -- is always
a special occasion. But today, it is truly historic. This is the single largest group
of servicemembers to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Second World War. And with
several of these soldiers recognized for their valor during that war, this ceremony is 70
years in the making. As one family member has said, this is long overdue.
Many of these families -- and I had a chance to meet all of them who are present here today
-- they've known these stories of heroism for decades. Still, they were pretty surprised
when we called them to break the news about the Medal of Honor. Some of them thought it
was a prank. (Laughter.) Some of them thought it was a scam. A few of them thought it might
be some trick to get their credit card number. (Laughter.) When I called Melvin Morris -- who
we'll recognize in a moment for his actions in Vietnam -- his first reaction was, "Oh,
my God, what have I done?" (Laughter.) When I told him it was all good -- the Medal of
Honor -- I could hear through the phone, he almost passed out. (Laughter.)
You see, for their gallantry under fire each of these soldiers was long ago recognized
with the Army's second-highest award -- the Distinguished Service Cross. But ask their
fellow veterans, ask their families, and they'll tell you that their extraordinary deeds merited
the highest recognition. And today, we have the chance to set the record straight.
This ceremony reminds us of one of the enduring qualities that makes America great -- that
makes us exceptional. No nation is perfect, but here in America we confront our imperfections
and face a sometimes painful past -- including the truth that some of these soldiers fought,
and died, for a country that did not always see them as equal. So with each generation
we keep on striving to live up to our ideals of freedom and equality, and to recognize
the dignity and patriotism of every person, no matter who they are, what they look like,
or how they pray.
And that's why, more than a decade ago, Congress mandated a review to make sure that the heroism
of our veterans wasn't overlooked because of prejudice or discrimination. Our military
reviewed thousands of war records. They teamed up with veterans groups and museums to get
this right. It was painstaking work, made even harder because sometimes our servicemembers
felt as if they needed to change their last names to fit in. That tells a story about
our past. But, ultimately, after years of review, these two dozen soldiers -- among
them Hispanic, African American and Jewish veterans -- were identified as having earned
the Medal of Honor. This is the length to which America will go to make sure everyone
who serves under our proud flag receives the thanks that they deserve.
So this is going to be a long ceremony. We're going to read all 24 citations, because every
one is a story of bravery that deserves to be told. But first, I want to take just a
few minutes to describe the Americans behind these actions, the men these families know
-- the brilliant lives behind the smiling faces in those old photographs, and how they
reflected all the beauty and diversity of the country that they served.
They were Americans by birth and Americans by choice -- immigrants, including one who
was not yet even a citizen. They grew up in big city neighborhoods like Brooklyn, rural
communities like Hooper, Nebraska, small towns in Puerto Rico. They loved to fish and play
baseball. They were sons who made their parents proud, and brothers who their siblings looked
up to. They were so young -- many in their early 20s. And when their country went to
war, they answered the call. They put on the uniform, and hugged their families goodbye
-- some of them hugged the wives and children that they'd never see again.
They fought in the rocky hills of Italy, the blood-stained beaches of France, in the freezing
mountains of Korea, the humid jungles of Vietnam. Their courage almost defies imagination. When
you read the records of these individuals, it's unimaginable, the valor that they displayed.
Running into bullets. Charging machine gun nests and climbing aboard tanks and taking
them out. Covering their comrades so they could make it to safety. Holding back enemies,
wave after wave, even when the combat was hand-to-hand. Manning their posts -- some
to their very last breaths -- so that their comrades might live.
Of the 24 American soldiers we honor today, 10 never came home. One of them -- Corporal
Joe Baldonado, from the Korean War -- is still missing, reminding us that, as a nation, we
have a scared obligation to keep working to give the families of our missing servicemembers
from all wars a full accounting of their loved ones.
Through their grief, the families of our fallen summoned the strength to carry on: wives whose
hearts ached for their husbands; sons and daughters who grew up without their dad; nieces
and nephews and grandchildren. These families join us here today. And they know, more than
most, that because others laid down their lives for us, we've been able to live our
lives in freedom, pursue our dreams. So there's a legacy here born of sacrifice.
That includes a soldier's nephew -- a kid from New York, who grew up to become one of
the great rock stars of all time and who honors his uncle here today. It includes soldiers
who came home and took different paths -- some continued to serve in uniform, some beginning
new careers, some getting married and raising their kids, serving their communities, taking
care of their fellow vets.
These veterans lived out their lives in the country that they helped to defend, and doing
what they loved --like William Leonard, who at age 71 passed away in his backyard, sitting
in his chair, listening to his beloved Yankees play on the radio.
And that's where this story might have ended. But Mitchel Libman -- a friend of one of these
soldiers and an Army vet himself -- set out on a mission. He and his wife Marilyn spent
years writing letters and working with Congress and our military to get this done. And so
we thank all those who worked so hard for so long to bring us to this moment, especially
Marilyn and Mitchel -- now 83 years old -- who I'd ask to stand so that we can all say thank
you. (Applause.)
Finally, of these 24 soldiers, three remain with us and have joined us here today -- men
who remind us that sometimes the heroes we seek are right in front of us, literally living
right next door.
Most days, you can find Jose Rodela in his San Antonio home -- a 76-year-old retiree
who enjoys watching baseball on TV, and working on his 1975 Chevy pickup, and mowing the grass
for his neighbors. Jose is such a humble guy that he did not even mention the ceremony
to his neighbors -- who I think would be pretty shocked to turn on the news tonight -- (laughter)
-- and see that the guy who cuts their lawn is getting the Medal of Honor. (Laughter.)
Today, we remember how 32--year-old Sergeant First Class Rodela fought through his wounds
in Vietnam and rallied his men during 18 hours of constant combat.
Most days, you can find Melvin Morris at home in Port St. John, Florida -- 72 years old,
a retired salesman and a great-grandfather. You'll find him working on his boat, going
fishing, reading the Bible, spending time with his beautiful wife Mary -- married 53
years this month. You're going to have to give me some tips. (Laughter.) We're not that
far along yet. Today, we remember how 27-year-old Staff Sergeant Morris -- one of our nation's
very first Green Berets -- one of our very first Green Berets -- think about that. I
mean, that's legendary -- how Staff Sergeant Morris recovered a fallen comrade in Vietnam,
took out several enemy bunkers, and kept going even after he was shot three times.
And on most days, you can find Santiago Erevia at home in San Antonio -- he's a 68-year-old
retired postal worker. He's fixing up his house, typically, tending to the garden, going
on walks with his wife, or doing some push-ups to stay in shape. (Laughter.) Today, we remember
how 23-year-old Specialist Four Erevia, under a hail of bullets in Vietnam, gave first aid
to his wounded comrades and single-handedly destroyed four enemy bunkers.
These are extraordinary Americans. They are exemplary soldiers. And so I want to begin
by welcoming Santiago Erevia to the stage for the reading of
the citation.
MILITARY AIDE: Specialist Four Santiago J. Erevia. United States Army. Specialist Four
Santiago J. Erevia distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio telephone operator in Company C, 1st
Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) during search
and clear mission near Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam on May 21, 1969. After breaching an
insurgent perimeter, Specialist Four Erevia was designated by his platoon leader to render
first aid to several casualties, and the rest of the platoon moved forward. As he was doing
so, he came under intense hostile fire from four bunkers to his left front. Although he
could have taken cover with the rest of the element, he chose a retaliatory course of
action. With heavy enemy fire directed at him, he moved in full view of the hostile
gunners as he proceeded to crawl from one wounded man to another, gathering ammunition.
Armed with two M-16 rifles and several hand grenades, he charged toward the enemy positions
behind the suppressive fire of the two rifles. Under very intense fire, he continued to advance
on the insurgents until he was near the first bunker. Disregarding the enemy fire, he pulled
the pin from a hand grenade and advanced on the bunker, leveling suppressive fire until
he could drop the grenade into the bunker, mortally wounding the insurgent and destroying
the fortification. Without hesitation, he employed identical tactics as he proceeded
to eliminate the next two enemy positions. With the destruction of the third bunker,
Specialist Four Erevia had exhausted his supply of hand grenades. Still under intense fire
from the fourth position, he courageously charged forward behind the fire emitted by
his M-16 rifles. Arriving at the very edge of the bunker, he silenced the occupant within
the fortification at point blank range. Through his heroic actions the lives of the wounded
were saved and the members of the Company Command Post were relieved from a very precarious
situation. His exemplary performance in the face of overwhelming danger was an inspiration
to his entire company and contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission. Specialist
Four Erevia's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his
own life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions
of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States
Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris. United States Army. Staff Sergeant
Melvin Morris distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty while serving as Commander of a Strike Force drawn from Company D, 5th
Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an
armed enemy in the vicinity of Chi Lang, Republic of Vietnam on September 17, 1969. On that
afternoon, Staff Sergeant Morris's affiliated companies encountered an extensive enemy mine
field and were subsequently engaged by a hostile force. Staff Sergeant Morris learned by radio
that a fellow team commander had been killed near an enemy bunker and he immediately reorganized
his men into an effective assault posture before advancing forward and splitting off
with two men to recover the team commander's body. Observing the maneuver, the hostile
force concentrated its fire on Staff Sergeant Morris's three-man element and successfully
wounded both men accompanying him. After assisting the two wounded men back to his forces' lines,
Staff Sergeant Morris charged forward into withering enemy fire with only his men's suppressive
fire as cover. While enemy machine gun emplacements continuously directed strafing fusillades
against him, Staff Sergeant Morris destroyed the positions with hand grenades and continued
his assault, ultimately eliminating four bunkers. Upon reaching the bunker nearest the fallen
team commander, Staff Sergeant Morris repulsed the enemy, retrieved his comrade and began
the arduous trek back to friendly lines. He was wounded three times as he struggled forward,
but ultimately succeeded in returning his fallen comrade to a friendly position. Staff
Sergeant Morris's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of
duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Master Sergeant First Class Jose Rodela. United States Army. Sergeant
First Class Jose Rodela distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as the company commander, Detachment B-36,
Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces during combat operations
against an armed enemy in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on September 1, 1969.
That afternoon, Sergeant First Class Rodela's battalion came under an intense barrage of
mortar, rocket, and machine gun fire. Ignoring the withering enemy fire, Sergeant First Class
Rodela immediately began placing his men into defensive positions to prevent the enemy from
overrunning the entire battalion. Repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, Sergeant First
Class Rodela moved from position to position, providing suppressing fire and assisting wounded,
and was himself wounded in the back and head by a B-40 rocket while recovering a wounded
comrade. Alone, Sergeant First Class Rodela assaulted and knocked out the B-40 rocket
position before successfully returning to the battalion's perimeter. Sergeant First
Class Rodela's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping
with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Before Jose returns to his seat, I just want to ask Santiago and Melvin
to return to the stage, please. This is a remarkable moment. And as they come up, I'll
like to recall -- as they take their positions I'd like to recall the words of a poet:
"Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho' We are not now that strength which in old
days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are,
we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
Santiago Erevia, Melvin Morris, Jose Rodela -- in the thick of the fight, all those years
ago, for your comrades and your country, you refused to yield. And on behalf of a grateful
nation, we all want to thank you for inspiring us -- then and now -- with your strength,
your will, and your heroic hearts.
Please give them a big round of applause. (Applause.)
Gentlemen, thank you. Please take your seats. We'll proceed with the rest of the ceremony.
MILITARY AIDE: Lenora Alvarado accepting on behalf of her father, Specialist Four Leonard
L. Alvarado.
Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, 2d Battalion,
12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed
enemy in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on August 12, 1969. On that day, as
Specialist Four Alvarado and a small reaction force moved through dense jungle en route
to a beleaguered friendly platoon, Specialist Four Alvarado detected enemy movement and
opened fire. Despite his quick reaction, Specialist Four Alvarado and his comrades were soon pinned
down by the hostile force that blocked the path to the trapped platoon. Specialist Four
Alvarado quickly moved forward through the hostile machinegun fire in order to engage
the enemy troops. Suddenly, an enemy grenade exploded nearby, wounding and momentarily
stunning him. Retaliating immediately, he killed the grenadier just as another enemy
barrage wounded him again. Specialist Four Alvarado crawled forward through the fusillade
to pull several comrades back within the hastily-formed perimeter. Realizing his element needed to
break away from the hostile force, Specialist Four Alvarado began maneuvering forward alone.
Though repeatedly thrown to the ground by exploding satchel charges, he continued advancing
and firing, silencing several emplacements, including one enemy machinegun position. From
his dangerous forward position, he persistently laid suppressive fire on the hostile forces,
and after the enemy troops had broken contact, his comrades discovered that he had succumbed
to his wounds. Specialist Four Alvarado's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at
the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the
highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit
and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Richard Conde accepting on behalf of his father, Sergeant First Class
Felix M. Conde-Falcon.
Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an acting Platoon Leader in Company D,
1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division during combat
operations against an armed enemy in Ap Tan Hoa, Republic of Vietnam on April 4, 1969.
While entering a heavily wooded section on the route of advance, Staff Sergeant Conde-Falcon
and his company encountered an extensive enemy bunker complex, later identified as a battalion
command post. Following tactical artillery and air strikes on the heavily-secured enemy
position, Staff Sergeant Conde-Falcon's platoon was selected to assault and clear the bunker
fortifications. Moving out ahead of his platoon, Staff Sergeant Conde-Falcon charged the first
bunker, heaving grenades as he went. As the hostile fire increased, he crawled to the
blind side of an entrenchment position, jumped to the roof, and tossed a grenade into the
bunker aperture. Without hesitating, he proceeded to two additional bunkers, both of which he
destroyed in the same manner as the first. Rejoining his platoon, Staff Sergeant Conde-Falcon
advanced about one hundred meters through the trees before coming under intense hostile
fire. Selecting three men to accompany him, he maneuvered toward the enemy's flank position.
Carrying a machinegun, he single-handedly assaulted the nearest fortification, killing
the enemy inside before running out of ammunition. After returning to the three men with his
empty weapon and taking up an M-16 rifle, he concentrated on the next bunker. Within
ten meters of his goal, Staff Sergeant Conde-Falcon was shot by an unseen assailant and soon died
of his wounds. Staff Sergeant Conde-Falcon's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at
the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the
highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit
and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Shyrell Jean Copas accepting on behalf of her father, Specialist Four Ardie
R. Copas.
Specialist Four Ardie R. Copas distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Machinegunner in Company C, 1st Battalion
(Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division during combat operations
against an armed enemy near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia on May 12, 1970. That morning, Specialist
Four Copas's company was suddenly attacked by a large hostile force firing recoilless
rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and automatic weapons. As Specialist Four Copas began returning
fire, his armored car was struck by an enemy recoilless round, knocking him to the ground
and injuring four American Soldiers beside the vehicle. Ignoring his own wounds, Specialist
Four Copas quickly remounted the burning vehicle and commenced firing his machinegun at the
belligerents. Braving the hostile fire directed at him and the possible detonation of the
mortar rounds inside the track, Specialist Four Copas maintained a heavy volume of suppressive
fire on the foe while the wounded Americans were safely evacuated. Undaunted, Specialist
Four Copas continued to place devastating volleys of fire upon the adversary until he
was mortally wounded when another enemy round hit his vehicle. Specialist Four Copas's daring
action resulted in the safe evacuation of his comrades. Specialist Four Copas's extraordinary
heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty,
are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Tina Duran-Ruvalcaba accepting on behalf of her father, Specialist Four Jesus
S. Duran.
Specialist Four Jesus S. Duran distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an acting M-60 machinegunner in Company
E, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during combat operations
against an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on April 10, 1969. That afternoon,
the reconnaissance platoon was moving into an elaborate enemy bunker complex when the
lead elements began taking concentrated ambush fire from every side. The command post was
in imminent danger of being overrun. With an M-60 machinegun blazing from his hip, Specialist
Four Duran rushed forward and assumed a defensive position near the command post. As hostile
forces stormed forward, Specialist Four Duran stood tall in a cloud of dust raised by the
impacting rounds and bursting grenades directed towards him and thwarted the enemy with devastating
streams of machinegun fire. Learning that two seriously wounded troopers lay helplessly
pinned down under harassing fire, Specialist Four Duran assaulted the suppressive enemy
positions, firing deadly bursts on the run. Mounting a log, he fired directly into the
enemy's foxholes, eliminating four and cutting down several others as they fled. Specialist
Four Duran then continued to pour effective fire on the disorganized and fleeing enemy.
Specialist Four Duran's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call
of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Command Sergeant Major Michael Grinston accepting on behalf of Sergeant Candelario
Garcia.
Sergeant Candelario Garcia distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as an acting Team Leader for Company B, 1st
Battalion, 2d Infantry, 1st Brigade,1st Infantry Division during combat operations against
an armed enemy in Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam on December 8, 1968. On that day, while conducting
reconnaissance, Sergeant Garcia and his platoon discovered communication wire and other signs
of an enemy base camp leading into a densely vegetated area. As the men advanced, they
came under intense fire. Several men were hit and trapped in the open. Ignoring a hail
of hostile bullets, Sergeant Garcia crawled to within ten meters of a machinegun bunker,
leaped to his feet and ran directly at the fortification, firing his rifle as he charged.
Sergeant Garcia jammed two hand grenades into the gun port and then placed the muzzle of
his weapon inside, killing all four occupants. Continuing to expose himself to intense enemy
fire, Sergeant Garcia raced fifteen meters to another bunker and killed its three defenders
with hand grenades and rifle fire. After again braving the enemies' barrage in order to rescue
two casualties, he joined his company in an assault which overran the remaining enemy
positions. Sergeant Garcia's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond
the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect
great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Charles Baldonado accepting on behalf of his brother, Corporal Joe R.
Baldonado
Corporal Joe R. Baldonado distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as an acting machinegunner in 3d Squad, 2d
Platoon, Company B, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment during combat operations against
an armed enemy in Kangdong, Korea on November 25, 1950. On that morning, the enemy launched
a strong attack in an effort to seize the hill occupied by Corporal Baldonado and his
company. The platoon had expended most of its ammunition in repelling the enemy attack
and the platoon leader decided to commit his 3d Squad, with its supply of ammunition, in
the defensive action. Since there was no time to dig in because of the proximity of the
enemy, who had advanced to within twenty-five yards of the platoon position, Corporal Baldonado
emplaced his weapon in an exposed position and delivered a withering stream of fire on
the advancing enemy, causing them to fall back in disorder. The enemy then concentrated
all their fire on Corporal Baldonado's gun and attempted to knock it out by rushing the
position in small groups and hurling hand grenades. Several times, grenades exploded
extremely close to Corporal Baldonado but failed to interrupt his continuous firing.
The hostile troops made repeated attempts to storm his position and were driven back
each time with appalling casualties. The enemy finally withdrew after making a final assault
on Corporal Baldonado's position during which a grenade landed near his gun, killing him
instantly. Corporal Baldonado's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his
own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions
of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States
Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Tyronne Espinoza accepting on behalf of his father, Corporal Victor H.
Espinoza.
Corporal Victor H. Espinoza distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Acting Rifleman in Company A, 23d Infantry
Regiment, 2d Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Chorwon,
Korea on August 1, 1952. On that day, Corporal Espinoza and his unit were responsible for
securing and holding a vital enemy hill. As the friendly unit neared its objective, it
was subjected to a devastating volume of enemy fire, slowing its progress. Corporal Espinoza,
unhesitatingly and being fully aware of the hazards involved, left his place of comparative
safety and made a deliberate one man assault on the enemy with his rifle and grenades,
destroying a machinegun and killing its crew. Corporal Espinoza continued across the fire-swept
terrain to an exposed vantage point where he attacked an enemy mortar position and two
bunkers with grenades and rifle fire, knocking out the enemy mortar position and destroying
both bunkers and killing their occupants. Upon reaching the crest, and after running
out of rifle ammunition, he called for more grenades. A comrade who was behind him threw
some Chinese grenades to him. Immediately upon catching them, he pulled the pins and
hurled them into the occupied trenches, killing and wounding more of the enemy with their
own weapons. Continuing on through a tunnel, Corporal Espinoza made a daring charge, inflicting
at least seven more casualties upon the enemy who were fast retreating into the tunnel.
Corporal Espinoza was quickly in pursuit, but the hostile fire from the opening prevented
him from overtaking the retreating enemy. As a result, Corporal Espinoza destroyed the
tunnel with TNT, called for more grenades from his company, and hurled them at the enemy
troops until they were out of reach. Corporal Espinoza's incredible display of valor secured
the vital strong point and took a heavy toll on the enemy, resulting in at least fourteen
dead and eleven wounded. Corporal Espinoza's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above
and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Pete Corrall accepting on behalf of his uncle, Sergeant Eduardo C. Gomez.
Sergeant Eduardo C. Gomez distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st
Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Tabu-***, Korea
on September 3, 1950. That afternoon, while conducting combat patrol, Sergeant Gomez'
company was ruthlessly attacked by a hostile force which moved within seventy-five yards
of the command post before it was immobilized by rocket fire. However, an enemy tank and
multiple enemy machineguns continued to rake the company perimeter with devastating fire.
Realizing the tank posed a serious threat to the entire perimeter, Sergeant Gomez voluntarily
crawled thirty yards across an open rice field vulnerable to enemy observation and fire,
boarded the tank, pried open one of the hatches on the turret and dropped an activated grenade
into the hull, killing the crew. Wounded in the left side while returning to his position,
Sergeant Gomez refused evacuation. Observing that the tripod of a .30 caliber machinegun
was rendered inoperable by enemy fire, he cradled the weapon in his arms, returned to
the forward defensive positions, and swept the assaulting force with withering fire.
Although his weapon overheated and burned his hands and his painful wound still bled,
Sergeant Gomez maintained his stand and, upon orders to withdraw in the face of overwhelming
enemy superiority, remained to provide protective fire. Sergeant Gomez continued to pour accurate
fire into the enemy ranks, exacting a heavy toll in casualties and retarding their advance.
Sergeant Gomez would not consent to leave his post for medical attention until the company
established new defensive positions. Sergeant Gomez's extraordinary heroism and selflessness
above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Laurie Wegner accepting on behalf of her uncle, Private First Class Leonard
M. Kravitz.
Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant machinegunner with Company
M, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed
enemy in Yangpyong, Korea on March 6 and 7, 1951. After friendly elements had repulsed
two probing attacks, the enemy launched a fanatical banzai charge with heavy supporting
fire and, despite staggering losses, pressed the assault with ruthless determination. When
the machinegunner was wounded in the initial phase of the action, Private First Class Kravitz
immediately seized the weapon and poured devastating fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants.
The enemy effected and exploited a breach on the left flank, rendering the friendly
positions untenable. Upon order to withdraw, Private First Class Kravitz voluntarily remained
to provide protective fire for the retiring elements. Detecting enemy troops moving toward
friendly positions, Private First Class Kravitz swept the hostile soldiers with deadly, accurate
fire, killing the entire group. His destructive retaliation caused the enemy to concentrate
vicious fire on his position and enabled the friendly elements to withdraw. Later, after
friendly troops had returned, Private First Class Kravitz was found dead behind the gun
he had so heroically manned, surrounded by numerous enemy dead. Private First Class Kravitz's
extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond
the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and
reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Iris Negron accepting on behalf of her father, Sergeant Juan E. Negron.
Sergeant Juan E. Negron distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of Company L, 65th Infantry Regiment,
3d Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Kalma-Eri, Korea
on April 28, 1951. That afternoon, Sergeant Negron took up the most vulnerable position
on his company's exposed right flank after an enemy force had overrun a section of the
line. When notified that elements of his company were withdrawing, Sergeant Negron refused
to leave his exposed position, instead delivering withering fire at hostile troops who had broken
through a road block. When the hostile troops approached his position, Sergeant Negron accurately
hurled hand grenades at short range, halting their attack. Sergeant Negron held the position
throughout the night while friendly forces organized and launched a counterattack. The
next morning, after the enemy had been repulsed, friendly forces relieved Sergeant Negron and
found the bodies of fifteen enemy soldiers surrounding his position. Sergeant Negron's
extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping
with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Michael David Pena accepting on behalf of his father, Master Sergeant Mike
C. Pena.
Master Sergeant Mike C. Pena distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of Company F, 5th Cavalry Regiment,
1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Waegwan, Korea,
on September 4, 1950. That evening, under cover of darkness and a dreary mist, an enemy
battalion moved to within a few yards of Master Sergeant Pena's platoon. Recognizing the enemy's
approach, Master Sergeant Pena and his men opened fire, but the enemy's sudden emergence
and accurate, point blank fire forced the friendly troops to withdraw. Master Sergeant
Pena rapidly reorganized his men and led them in a counterattack which succeeded in regaining
the positions they had just lost. He and his men quickly established a defensive perimeter
and laid down devastating fire, but enemy troops continued to hurl themselves at the
defenses in overwhelming numbers. Realizing that their scarce supply of ammunition would
soon make their positions untenable, Master Sergeant Pena ordered his men to fall back
and manned a machinegun to cover their withdrawal. He singlehandedly held back the enemy until
the early hours of the following morning when his position was overrun and he was killed.
Master Sergeant Pena's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life,
above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Sergeant Ashley Randall accepting on behalf of her grandfather, Private Demensio
Rivera.
Private Demensio Rivera distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as an automatic rifleman with 2d Platoon,
Company G, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat operations against
an armed enemy in Changyong-ni, Korea on May 23, 1951. Early that morning, a large hostile
force emerged from a dense fog and viciously attacked Private Rivera and his comrades.
Private Rivera immediately responded by firing with deadly accuracy until his weapon jammed.
Without hesitating, he threw his rifle down and began to engage the enemy with his pistol
and grenades. At one point, Private Rivera fearlessly crawled from his emplacement to
engage an infiltrating enemy soldier in fierce hand-to-hand combat. With only the sound of
footsteps and obscure shadows to guide his aim, Private Rivera held his position against
tremendous odds, inflicting numerous casualties on the enemy until he found himself without
ammunition of any kind except one grenade. Displaying a peerless fighting spirit and
an utterly selfless devotion to duty, Private Rivera pulled the pin from his last grenade
and calmly waited for the enemy to reach his position. As enemy troops leaped inside his
bunker, Private Rivera activated the grenade with the full knowledge that it meant his
almost certain death. When the debris from the explosion had cleared, friendly forces
recovered a severely wounded Private Rivera and discovered the bodies of four dead or
dying enemy soldiers surrounding him. Private Rivera's extraordinary heroism and selflessness
above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Joe Rodriguez accepting on behalf of his uncle, Private Miguel A. Vera.
Private Miguel A. Vera distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company F, 38th
Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division in Chorwon, Korea, on September 21, 1952. That
morning, despite suffering from wounds inflicted in a previous battle, Private Vera voluntarily
left the aid station to join his comrades in an attack against well-fortified enemy
positions on a hill of great importance. When the assaulting elements had moved within twenty
yards of the enemy positions, they were suddenly trapped by a heavy volume of mortar, artillery
and small-arms fire. The company prepared to make a limited withdrawal, but Private
Vera volunteered to remain behind to provide covering fire. As his companions moved to
safety, Private Vera remained steadfast in his position, directing accurate fire against
the hostile positions despite the intense volume of fire which the enemy was concentrating
upon him. Later in the morning, when the friendly force returned, they discovered Private Vera
in the same position, facing the enemy. Private Vera's noble intrepidity and self-sacrifice
saved many of his comrades' lives. Private Vera's extraordinary heroism and selflessness
at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Nancy Weinstein accepting on behalf of her husband, Sergeant Jack Weinstein.
Sergeant Jack Weinstein distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while leading 1st Platoon, Company G, 21st Infantry Regiment,
24th Infantry Division in Kumsong, Korea on October 19, 1951. That afternoon, thirty enemy
troops counterattacked Sergeant Weinstein's platoon. Most of the platoon's members had
been wounded in the previous action and withdrew under the heavy fire. Sergeant Weinstein,
however, remained in his position and continued to fight off the onrushing enemy, killing
at least six with his M-1 rifle before running out of ammunition. Although under extremely
heavy enemy fire, Sergeant Weinstein refused to withdraw and continued fighting by throwing
enemy hand grenades found lying near his position. He again halted the enemy's progress and inflicted
numerous casualties. Alone and unaided, he held the ground which his platoon had fought
tenaciously to take and held out against overwhelming odds until another platoon was able to relieve
him and drive back the enemy. Sergeant Weinstein's leg had been broken by an enemy grenade and
old wounds suffered in previous battles had reopened, but he refused to withdraw and successfully
bought time for his wounded comrades to reach friendly lines. Sergeant Weinstein's extraordinary
heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the
United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Dominga Perez accepting on behalf of her father, Private Pedro Cano.
Private Pedro Cano distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty while serving with Company C, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry
Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Schevenhutte, Germany on
December 2 and 3, 1944. On the afternoon of the 2nd, American infantrymen launched an
attack against German emplacements but were repulsed by enemy machinegun fire. Armed with
a rocket launcher, Private Cano crawled through a densely mined area under heavy enemy fire
and successfully reached a point within ten yards of the nearest emplacement. He quickly
fired a rocket into the position, killing the two gunners and five supporting riflemen.
Without hesitating, he fired into a second position, killing two more gunners, and proceeded
to assault the position with hand grenades, killing several others and dispersing the
rest. Then, when an adjacent company encountered heavy fire, Private Cano crossed his company
front, crept to within fifteen yards of the nearest enemy emplacement and killed the two
machinegunners with a rocket. With another round he killed two more gunners and destroyed
a second gun. On the following day, his company renewed the attack and again encountered heavy
machinegun fire. Private Cano, armed with his rocket launcher, again moved across fire-swept
terrain and destroyed three enemy machineguns in succession, killing the six gunners. Private
Cano's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping
with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Miriam Adams accepting on behalf of her uncle, Private Joe Gandara.
Private Joe Gandara distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 507th Parachute
Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division during combat operations against an armed
enemy in Amfreville, France on June 9, 1944. On that day, Private Gandara's detachment
came under devastating enemy fire from a strong German force, pinning the men to the ground
for a period of four hours. Private Gandara voluntarily advanced alone toward the enemy
position. Firing his machinegun from his hip as he moved forward, he destroyed three hostile
machineguns before he was fatally wounded. Private Gandara's extraordinary heroism and
selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in
keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself,
his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Alfonzo Lara accepting on behalf of his brother, Private First Class Salvador
J. Lara.
Private First Class Salvador J. Lara distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the Squad Leader of a rifle squad with
2d Platoon, Company L, 180th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division during combat operations
against an armed enemy in Aprilia, Italy on May 27 and 28, 1944. On the afternoon of the
27th, Private First Class Lara aggressively led his rifle squad in neutralizing multiple
enemy strongpoints and in inflicting large numbers of casualties on the enemy. Having
taken his initial objective, Private First Class Lara noticed that the unit to his right
was meeting stiff resistance from a large, well-entrenched enemy force in a deep ditch.
Private First Class Lara quickly gathered three men and attacked a wide section of the
enemy position, killing four, forcing fifteen others to surrender and causing two enemy
mortar crews to abandon their weapons. His fearless and efficient performance enabled
both his own unit and the unit to his right to continue to their objective. The next morning,
as his company resumed the attack, Private First Class Lara sustained a severe leg wound,
but did not stop to receive first aid. His company suffered heavy casualties as a result
of withering machinegun fire coming from an enemy strongpoint on the right flank. After
requesting permission to destroy the enemy machineguns armed only with a Browning Automatic
Rifle, Private First Class Lara crawled alone toward the nearest machinegun. Despite his
painful wound and the extreme danger of the task, he rose and fearlessly charged the nest,
killing the crew members. Another machinegun opened fire on him, but he quickly neutralized
this weapon with accurate fire from his Browning, killing three more of the enemy. His aggressive
attack forced two other machinegun crews to flee their weapons. After rejoining his company,
Private First Class Lara continued his exemplary performance until he captured his objective.
Private First Class Lara's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call
of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Patricia Kennedy accepting on behalf of her father, Private First Class
William F. Leonard.
Private First Class William F. Leonard distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader in Company C, 30th Infantry
Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy near St.
Die, France on November 7, 1944. Private First Class Leonard's platoon was reduced to eight
men as a result of blistering artillery, mortar, machinegun, and rifle fire. Private First
Class Leonard led the survivors in an assault over a hill covered by trees and shrubs which
the enemy continuously swept with automatic weapons fire. Ignoring bullets which pierced
his pack, Private First Class Leonard killed two snipers at ranges of fifty and seventy-five
yards and engaged and destroyed a machinegun nest with grenades, killing its two-man crew.
Though momentarily stunned by an exploding bazooka shell, Private First Class Leonard
relentlessly advanced, ultimately knocking out a second machinegun nest and capturing
the roadblock objective. Private First Class Leonard's extraordinary heroism and selflessness
above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Alice Mendoza accepting on behalf of her husband, Staff Sergeant Manuel
V. Mendoza.
Staff Sergeant Manuel V. Mendoza distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company B, 350th
Infantry, 88th Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy on Mt. Battaglia,
Italy on October 4, 1944. That afternoon, the enemy launched a violent counterattack
preceded by a heavy mortar barrage. Staff Sergeant Mendoza, already wounded in the arm
and leg, grabbed a Thompson sub-machinegun and ran to the crest of the hill where he
saw approximately 200 enemy troops charging up the slopes employing flame-throwers, machine
pistols, rifles, and hand grenades. Staff Sergeant Mendoza immediately began to engage
the enemy, firing five clips and killing ten enemy soldiers. After exhausting his ammunition,
he picked up a carbine and emptied its magazine at the enemy. By this time, an enemy soldier
with a flame-thrower had almost reached the crest, but was quickly eliminated as Staff
Sergeant Mendoza drew his pistol and fired. Seeing that the enemy force continued to advance,
Staff Sergeant Mendoza jumped into a machinegun emplacement that had just been abandoned and
opened fire. Unable to engage the entire enemy force from his location, he picked up the
machinegun and moved forward, firing from his hip and spraying a withering hail of bullets
into the oncoming enemy, causing them to break into confusion. He then set the machinegun
on the ground and continued to fire until the gun jammed. Without hesitating, Staff
Sergeant Mendoza began throwing hand grenades at the enemy, causing them to flee. After
the enemy had withdrawn, he advanced down the forward slope of the hill, retrieved numerous
enemy weapons scattered about the area, captured a wounded enemy soldier, and returned to consolidate
friendly positions with all available men. Staff Sergeant Mendoza's gallant stand resulted
in thirty German soldiers killed and the successful defense of the hill. Staff Sergeant Mendoza's
extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping
with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Robert Nietzel accepting on behalf of his first cousin, Sergeant Alfred
B. Nietzel.
Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as a section leader for Company H, 16th Infantry
Regiment, 1st Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Heistern,
Germany on November 18, 1944. That afternoon, Sergeant Nietzel fought tenaciously to repel
a vicious enemy attack against his unit. Sergeant Nietzel employed accurate, intense fire from
his machinegun and successfully slowed the hostile advance. However, the overwhelming
enemy force continued to press forward. Realizing he desperately needed reinforcements, Sergeant
Nietzel ordered the three remaining members of his squad to return to the company command
post and secure aid. He immediately turned his attention to covering their movement with
his fire. After expending all his machinegun ammunition, Sergeant Nietzel began firing
his rifle into the attacking ranks until he was killed by the explosion of an enemy grenade.
Sergeant Nietzel's extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life,
above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: Dr. Terry Schwab accepting on behalf of his father, First Lieutenant
Donald K. Schwab.
First Lieutenant Donald K. Schwab distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the Commander of Company E, 15th Infantry
Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy near Lure,
France on September 17, 1944. That afternoon, as First Lieutenant Schwab led his company
across four hundred yards of exposed ground, an intense, grazing burst of machinegun and
machine-pistol fire sprung forth without warning from a fringe of woods directly in front of
the American force. First Lieutenant Schwab quickly extricated his men from the attempted
ambush and led them back to a defiladed position. Soon after, he was ordered to overwhelm the
enemy line. He rapidly organized his men into a skirmish line and, with indomitable courage,
again led them forward into the lethal enemy fire. When halted a second time, First Lieutenant
Schwab moved from man to man to supervise collection of the wounded and organize his
company's withdrawal. From defilade, he rallied his decimated force for a third charge on
the hostile strong point and successfully worked his way to within fifty yards of the
Germans before ordering his men to hit the dirt. While automatic weapons fire blazed
around him, he rushed forward alone, firing his carbine at the German foxholes, aiming
for the vital enemy machine-pistol nest which had sparked the German resistance and caused
heavy casualties among his men. Silhouetted through the mist and rain by enemy flares,
he charged to the German emplacement, ripped the half-cover off the hostile firing pit,
struck the German gunner on the head with his carbine butt and dragged the German back
through a hail of fire to friendly lines. First Lieutenant Schwab's action so disorganized
hostile infantry resistance that the enemy forces withdrew, abandoning their formidable
defensive line. First Lieutenant Schwab's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above
and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The medal is presented.) (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, it is very rare where we have the opportunity to
reflect on the extraordinary courage and patriotism of such a remarkable collection of men. We
are so grateful to them. We are so grateful to their families. It makes us proud and it
makes us inspired. And so, before we conclude the program, I would ask all those who have
witnessed this extraordinary day to please rise and give these latest recipients of the
Medal of Honor your warmest applause. (Applause.)
Chaplain, would you give us
the benediction?
(A prayer is offered.)
Thank you so much, everybody. This concludes our program. But please have an opportunity
to enjoy the White House. We are so grateful that all of you had a chance to come. God
bless you. God bless America. (Applause.)