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Medal of Honor

Korean War/Vietnam War

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Vladimir Putin promotes the capabilities of the National Center for Defense Management

(Images courtesy of the U.S. Army; map from Adobe Stock)

President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Honor to seven U.S. Army soldiers, five from the Korean War and two from the Vietnam War, at a 3 January 2025 White House ceremony. The families of six soldiers—Pvt. Bruno R. Orig, Pfc. Wataru Makamura, Cpl. Fred B. McGee, Pfc. Charles R. Johnson, 1st Lt. Richard E. Cavazos, and Capt. Hugh R. Nelson Jr.—accepted the posthumous medals on their behalf, and then–Pfc. Kenneth P. David attended the ceremony in person, nearly fifty-five years after the events of 7 May 1970 in Vietnam for which he received the award.

In his opening remarks, Biden said, “Today, we award these individuals the Medal of Honor. But we can’t stop there. Together, as a nation, it’s up to us to give this medal meaning. To keep fighting—to keep fighting for one another, for each other; to keep defending everything these heroes fought for and many of them died for—the ideals of America, the freedoms we cherish, the democracy that has made our progress possible.”¹

During the induction into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said, “These heroes risked everything for their country, and often made the ultimate sacrifice. Their stories should be more than just a source of pride. They should be a source of inspiration. And they should be a spur to action.”²

To read more about these seven recipients, visit https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/.

Korean War

Pvt. Bruno R. Orig served with Company G, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, near Chipyong-ni, Korea, on 15 February 1951. During fierce fighting, he saw fellow soldiers wounded and stranded, and without hesitation, ran to rescue them, giving his life to save others.

Pfc. Wataru Nakamura served with Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division near P’ungch’on-ni, Korea, on 18 May 1951. Without regard to his own safety and without waiting for help, he rushed the enemy with a fixed bayonet to defend his unit before eventually being mortally wounded by an enemy grenade.

Cpl. Fred B. McGee served as a gunner in a weapons squad near Tang-Wan-Ni, Korea, on 16 June 1952. His unit came under heavy fire and took casualties. Though ordered to fall back, he refused to leave until he helped every wounded soldier escape.

Pfc. Charles R. Johnson served with Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, in Korea, 11–12 June 1953. He gave his life on 12 June while defending a bunker holding wounded soldiers. His brave and selfless efforts were credited with saving the lives of as many as ten soldiers.

Then–1st Lt. Richard E. Cavazos served as the company commander for Company E, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, near Sagimak, Korea, 14–15 June 1953. As a first lieutenant, he led his men through a difficult and deadly mission in enemy territory. Though ordered to retreat, he stayed, rescuing wounded soldiers until everyone was evacuated. He went on to serve for three decades in the Army, becoming the country’s first Hispanic four-star general.

Vietnam War

Then–Pfc. Kenneth J. David served as a radio-telephone operator during contact with an enemy force near Fire Support Base Maureen, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 7 May 1970. Though wounded during the attack by shrapnel, he left his position repeatedly to draw the enemy fire to himself, allowing the wounded men a chance to evacuate. He was only medically evacuated after the enemy broke contact and fled.

Capt. Hugh R. Nelson Jr. served in the 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light) near Moc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, on 5 June 1966. He and his crew were shot down, and Nelson freed his trapped men from the wreckage. As the enemy attacked, he used his body as a shield to protect them, costing him his life.