WEBVTT 00:14.500 --> 00:23.030 That. Don't. Write. 00:26.500 --> 00:31.160 The ladies and gentlemen the president of the United States and 00:31.160 --> 00:34.200 this is not a bomb or a company by medal of honor recipient captain 00:34.230 --> 00:34.950 william. Spence. 00:37.330 --> 00:42.220 And and. That. 01:04.670 --> 01:05.580 Most pray together. 01:07.550 --> 01:10.100 I was ben our helper in times past. 01:11.200 --> 01:13.350 Do they are hell in these days. 01:14.220 --> 01:18.690 More than two centuries your blast our nation the dedicated himself 01:18.690 --> 01:20.140 was soldiers in uniform. 01:20.760 --> 01:24.210 Stand ready to deploy and defend our nation's freedoms. 01:25.340 --> 01:29.140 As we honor chapter wills once and for his actions during the 01:29.140 --> 01:31.040 battle majority doll. 01:31.650 --> 01:35.300 The other the sacred trust the key in his team and body that day. 01:36.280 --> 01:39.470 The thank you for the last full measure devotion given that there. 01:41.180 --> 01:43.820 The know all of miners draped around captain svensson. 01:44.500 --> 01:48.830 May the healing grace of hall and peace rests upon you to Vosough. 01:49.700 --> 01:53.710 Cafcass once is example became let us a spirit of sacrifice and 01:53.710 --> 01:55.450 instead bass is the purpose. 01:56.240 --> 01:59.990 This occasion we knew our commitment to uphold the right. 02:00.500 --> 02:03.390 Will polls the wrong thing continued to work. 02:04.880 --> 02:06.610 That is begun so long ago. 02:07.270 --> 02:09.050 Because we ask and pray to holy name. 02:09.600 --> 02:10.920 A man in. The 02:15.000 --> 02:16.380 They've never rode three. Servicing. 02:19.740 --> 02:21.760 On the hair from the shell myself. 02:22.750 --> 02:23.830 Walking the white house. 02:25.590 --> 02:26.350 The last month. 02:26.880 --> 02:30.090 Of the United States army released a remarkable piece of video. 02:31.320 --> 02:33.460 It's from the combat helmet cameras of. 02:34.300 --> 02:38.770 Madam backed helicopter crew in Afghanistan and shaky and that's 02:39.190 --> 02:43.060 grady but it takes us to the from alliance that our troops. 02:43.680 --> 02:47.100 Faced every single that this use former member that there's still 02:47.100 --> 02:47.460 a whole. 02:48.000 --> 02:49.920 One of our troops in Afghanistan. 02:50.640 --> 02:51.410 In harm's way. 02:52.950 --> 02:58.470 In that video there's a helicopter he touches down by a remote village. 02:59.080 --> 03:01.830 You see out of a cloud of dust on American soil. 03:03.260 --> 03:04.090 Is without his helmet. 03:05.270 --> 03:06.200 Standing in the open. 03:07.030 --> 03:09.440 Exposing himself to enemy fire. 03:10.180 --> 03:13.610 Standing watch over a severely wounded soldier. 03:15.360 --> 03:18.260 He helps carry that one soldier to the helicopter and places 03:18.260 --> 03:18.970 them inside. 03:20.290 --> 03:21.410 And then the Mets. 03:22.360 --> 03:26.160 The whipping wind and the deafening roar of a helicopter blades. 03:26.670 --> 03:29.980 A the does something unexpected. He means ervin kisses the wanted 03:29.980 --> 03:30.790 sole drama had. 03:32.210 --> 03:34.640 The simple act of compassion and loyalty. 03:35.280 --> 03:39.380 To a brother in arms and as the door closes and the helicopter 03:39.380 --> 03:43.220 takes off the terms and goes back to where you came back into 03:43.250 --> 03:43.940 the heat of battle. 03:45.850 --> 03:49.370 In our nation's history. We're preserve our hi aasmah alter decoration. 03:50.220 --> 03:52.360 The Moammar nearly. 03:53.340 --> 03:57.720 The three thousand five hundred times for actions above and beyond 03:57.720 --> 03:58.520 the call of duty. 03:59.290 --> 04:01.740 That this may be the first time that we can actually bear witness 04:01.740 --> 04:04.970 to a small fraction of those actions. 04:05.500 --> 04:08.380 Ourselves and today we honor the American in that video. 04:09.100 --> 04:12.810 The soldier who went back and Captain boy inch once. 04:14.880 --> 04:18.430 Not far away that there was them court for the coral Maya to room. 04:18.430 --> 04:20.680 We presented the medal of honor two years ago. 04:21.680 --> 04:26.140 Today is only the second time in nearly half a century. 04:26.860 --> 04:30.700 That the medal of honor has been awarded to to survivors of the 04:30.700 --> 04:31.320 same battle. 04:32.540 --> 04:35.390 The court of is not here today but I want to welcome some of 04:35.390 --> 04:39.380 the soldiers and marines who fought alongside bought these men 04:39.830 --> 04:42.660 and the families of those who gave their lives that day. 04:44.330 --> 04:47.610 I want to walk all our distinguished guests including members 04:47.610 --> 04:49.070 of the medal of honor. 04:50.000 --> 04:53.350 Society whose ranks today grow by one more. 04:54.130 --> 04:59.060 Most of all I wanna. Welcome wills a wonderful parents for the 04:59.120 --> 05:00.620 julianne o'carroll. 05:02.000 --> 05:03.010 Was Rover and kelsey. 05:04.150 --> 05:06.230 A had a chance to visit with them. 05:06.260 --> 05:11.550 Well. Walford car on julie are former college professor so instead 05:11.550 --> 05:14.300 of the house for gi jones will drop in Seattle surrounded by 05:14.300 --> 05:15.310 educational games. 05:16.600 --> 05:21.590 A toff convert to even when Lowell will was little that his mom 05:21.970 --> 05:23.490 was always a stick for for grammar. 05:24.160 --> 05:27.460 Was making sure he said to former conservative groove. 05:28.380 --> 05:29.930 Some of the very careful today. 05:31.530 --> 05:36.140 Of I just had a chance to spend some time with them and I'd say 05:36.140 --> 05:40.490 well here's a pretty low key guy his idea of a good time isn't 05:40.490 --> 05:42.990 a big ceremony like this one he'd rather be somewhere in the 05:42.990 --> 05:47.070 mountains or on a trail surrounded by Cedar trees. Instead of 05:47.530 --> 05:51.840 cameras but I think our nation needs the sermon inspect. 05:53.190 --> 05:54.880 The moments like this. 05:55.880 --> 05:57.050 Americans like will. 05:57.870 --> 06:01.370 Remind us of what our country can be at its best. 06:02.340 --> 06:04.430 The nation of citizens who look out for one another. 06:05.450 --> 06:08.870 Who meet our obligations to one another now just one it's easy 06:08.920 --> 06:09.930 but also when it's for. 06:11.000 --> 06:12.160 Maybe a special in one of torque. 06:13.830 --> 06:16.490 No well you're an example to everyone in the city. 06:17.280 --> 06:18.290 And to our whole country. 06:18.860 --> 06:22.760 Of the professionalism and patriotism that we should strive for. 06:23.390 --> 06:25.490 Where we were uniform or not. 06:27.050 --> 06:29.950 Not just on particular occasions but all the time. 06:32.400 --> 06:34.490 Your for those who are familiar with. 06:35.230 --> 06:36.400 The story of the bell. 06:37.000 --> 06:41.240 That led will to be here today I want take you back to that september 06:41.240 --> 06:44.740 morning four years ago it's around summarize the calm of the 06:44.740 --> 06:47.400 Afghan soldiers and their American advisers were wine in the 06:47.400 --> 06:50.470 way opener or trail tours ability to meet with elders. 06:51.000 --> 06:54.670 We're just as the first shoulder reaches the outskirts of the village. 06:55.270 --> 06:56.200 All hell breaks which. 06:57.440 --> 07:01.200 Almost instantly for americans three marines one navy at the 07:01.200 --> 07:02.600 father calm parcel rounded. 07:03.410 --> 07:06.210 Up will in the soldiers in the centre the calm are pinned down. 07:07.180 --> 07:09.270 Rocket propelled grenades mortar. 07:10.000 --> 07:13.740 Sheen gunfire all of this is pouring in from three sides. 07:15.050 --> 07:18.960 As he returns fire will calls for air support. But is initial 07:18.960 --> 07:22.710 requests are denied will and his team are too close to the village. 07:23.340 --> 07:26.260 And then we'll learns that his non commissioned officer. 07:26.450 --> 07:29.360 Sargent. First class can of west workers been shot in the neck. 07:30.080 --> 07:33.750 So we'll breaks across fifty meters of open space boards. 07:34.650 --> 07:35.630 Buying all round. 07:36.430 --> 07:40.400 Line honors back he presses a vanished again. It's warrants with 07:40.400 --> 07:43.330 one hand and calls for men of that with the other try to keep 07:43.330 --> 07:44.110 as body call. 07:45.170 --> 07:47.790 By this time the enemy is gone even closer disappointing. 07:48.500 --> 07:51.540 Or thirty meters away and over the radio they're demanding the 07:51.540 --> 07:52.650 americans to surrender. 07:53.280 --> 07:56.390 So well stops trading can have long enough to respond by lobbing 07:56.390 --> 07:56.960 a grenade. 07:58.510 --> 08:01.270 And finally after more than an hour half of fighting your support 08:01.270 --> 08:04.890 all rights will do rex them to nearby targets that it's time 08:04.890 --> 08:08.400 to move. So exposing himself again enemy fire will helps Terry 08:08.400 --> 08:12.870 Canute the length of more than two football fields down steep 08:12.870 --> 08:14.970 terraces to their helicopter. 08:16.160 --> 08:18.760 And then in the moment captured by those cameras. Well we intend 08:18.760 --> 08:19.520 to say goodbye. 08:21.530 --> 08:24.200 But more americans are more Afghans are still out there so world 08:24.200 --> 08:27.720 or something incredible the jobs behind the wheel of an an armored 08:27.720 --> 08:29.110 ford ranger pickup truck. 08:30.110 --> 08:33.380 I'm really gets in the passenger seat and they drive that truck. 08:34.260 --> 08:37.270 As a vehicle design for the highway straight into the bath. 08:38.370 --> 08:42.800 Twice a pickup injured Afghan soldiers boards whizzing past them 08:42.830 --> 08:44.130 slamming into the pickup truck. 08:44.770 --> 08:46.030 Twice they bring them back. 08:46.780 --> 08:48.990 When the truck gives out they've read a zombie. 08:49.780 --> 08:52.610 The marine by well side has no idea how they survived but he 08:52.610 --> 08:54.410 says by that time it didn't matter. 08:55.090 --> 08:57.500 We were gonna leave any soldiers behind. 08:58.820 --> 09:02.520 Finally a helicopter spas those for missing americans hours after 09:02.520 --> 09:05.870 they were trapped in the open ambush. So we'll gets another have 09:05.870 --> 09:09.190 palm be with a crude includes decorum Maya and together they 09:09.190 --> 09:13.400 drive past and the fighters up through the valley exposed once 09:13.400 --> 09:16.620 more when they reach the village will jumps out drawing even 09:16.620 --> 09:18.820 more fire dodging even more ports. 09:19.800 --> 09:22.450 But very rich because americans line where they fell. 09:23.310 --> 09:25.030 Warm the others kerry them out one by one. 09:26.590 --> 09:27.920 They bring their fallen brothers home. 09:30.190 --> 09:33.150 Prescription tells us the greatest among you shall be your servant. 09:34.250 --> 09:37.270 Captain whilst swine summers later on that september more. 09:38.260 --> 09:40.620 But like all great leaders who was also serve. 09:41.500 --> 09:42.580 To the many commanded. 09:43.140 --> 09:46.890 To the more than a dozen Afghans and americans whose lives. He saved. 09:47.720 --> 09:49.280 To the families of those. 09:50.500 --> 09:53.870 Who gave their last full measure of devotion on that for wakefield. 09:55.330 --> 09:57.110 As one of this poll soldiers later said. 09:57.650 --> 09:59.430 We'll do things that nobody else would ever do. 10:00.000 --> 10:02.340 And he did it for these guys and for away on the ground. 10:02.910 --> 10:03.510 To get them out. 10:05.330 --> 10:08.120 That's why after I call well to tell him he'd be receiving the 10:08.120 --> 10:11.000 smell of one of the first things he did was to invite. 10:11.630 --> 10:15.250 To this or my those who fought alongside the live like all of 10:15.250 --> 10:19.350 those who served with such of our alongside world board army 10:19.350 --> 10:22.520 and marines who fought for each other please stand to. Recognize. 11:02.250 --> 11:06.590 You will also reached out to the families of the four americans 11:06.590 --> 11:07.880 who gave their lives that day. 11:09.320 --> 11:10.730 To them the ropes a. 11:11.660 --> 11:13.510 For them pouring will mount we have never met. 11:14.090 --> 11:15.000 With ever spoken. 11:15.590 --> 11:17.790 But I would like to believe that I know something about each 11:17.790 --> 11:20.130 of you through the actions of your loved ones on that day. 11:21.000 --> 11:24.060 And what part of the team and you were now part of that team. 11:24.650 --> 11:26.320 So I would ask the members of this team. 11:27.060 --> 11:29.360 Of the fair was a first lieutenant michael Johnson. 11:30.250 --> 11:31.890 Doddery sargent Edward Johnson. 11:32.670 --> 11:33.950 De-vries ardent parent. 11:34.770 --> 11:35.290 Can affect. 11:36.040 --> 11:39.400 And hospital mum third class james Laden as well as the family 11:39.400 --> 11:41.170 of Kenneth westward to please. Stay. 12:16.240 --> 12:19.680 That was a soldier will delivered to the state do that held up. 12:20.440 --> 12:23.470 After being airlifted out he made it to walter reed. 12:24.370 --> 12:28.100 You start a rehab and spent time with his wife Darlene joins 12:28.100 --> 12:28.870 us here today. 12:30.620 --> 12:33.020 To store members the first time. She spoke to were or what he 12:33.020 --> 12:34.930 called from Afghanistan check-in. 12:35.440 --> 12:35.930 On Kana. 12:37.000 --> 12:40.360 Oh so meserve phone call harvard janitor group term for the worse. 12:40.770 --> 12:42.820 He succumbed to complications from this treatment. 12:43.730 --> 12:48.030 But a ideas versus trillion will always be grateful for. 12:49.000 --> 12:51.520 The final day shoes able to spend where there has been. 12:52.090 --> 12:56.030 A and even now a a month rarely goes by. When will those who 12:56.030 --> 12:57.990 call or text checking-in was surely. 12:58.630 --> 12:59.800 And the three boards. 13:01.320 --> 13:03.010 That's the kind of man pierce. 13:03.610 --> 13:06.480 Trolling says about what you don't address will for help. 13:07.000 --> 13:08.460 Aegis knows when to be there for you. 13:10.320 --> 13:12.110 So we'll sorenson was their first brothers. 13:13.250 --> 13:15.130 He was there for their families. 13:16.000 --> 13:19.440 As a nation we thank god that the pictures like him are there 13:19.700 --> 13:20.470 for us all. 13:21.260 --> 13:25.280 So we'll god bless you and all the men there you fought alongside 13:25.280 --> 13:27.950 the The retail you've done for us. 13:28.770 --> 13:32.170 From were so our men and women in uniform and god bless the interstate 13:32.170 --> 13:36.230 cinema with that like the final period to read the psychic. Which. 13:49.640 --> 13:52.730 The president of the United States of america authorized by act 13:52.730 --> 13:56.670 of congress march there in eighteen sixty three has awarded in 13:56.670 --> 14:00.490 the name of congress the medal of honor to get in william deeds 14:00.490 --> 14:02.150 once and United States army. 14:02.700 --> 14:05.670 For conspicuous gallon tree and intricate eighty at the risk 14:05.670 --> 14:07.650 of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 14:08.420 --> 14:11.900 Getting really Indies once and distinguished himself by axa gallon 14:11.900 --> 14:15.130 tree main Tripoli D at the risk of his life above and beyond 14:15.130 --> 14:18.560 the call of duty while serving as embedded adviser to the Afghan 14:18.560 --> 14:23.080 national border police task force phoenix combined security transition 14:23.080 --> 14:26.510 command Afghanistan in support of first battalion thirty second 14:26.540 --> 14:30.470 infantry regiment they're pretty comeback team tenth mountain 14:30.470 --> 14:34.240 division during combat operations in gets an armed enemy income 14:34.240 --> 14:37.670 in our province Afghanistan on september eighth two thousand nine. 14:38.850 --> 14:42.200 On that morning more than sixty. Well armed. Well positioned 14:42.230 --> 14:45.610 enemy fighters. Ambushed captains one since combat team as it 14:45.610 --> 14:48.220 moves on foot into the village of gonna stop for a meeting with 14:48.220 --> 14:49.020 village elders. 14:49.580 --> 14:53.070 Izzy any unleashed a barrage of rocket propelled grenades mortar 14:53.100 --> 14:56.450 and machine gun fire captains wanton in the levy turned fire 14:56.540 --> 14:59.930 in Quordy needed and a record of respond to this Afghan border police. 15:00.150 --> 15:03.820 While simultaneously calling in suppress of artillery fire mediation 15:03.820 --> 15:04.290 to four. 15:05.000 --> 15:08.430 After the enemy effectively find coalition forces captains. 15:08.430 --> 15:11.230 One thing repealing carter smoke to cover the withdrawal of the 15:11.230 --> 15:15.230 four elements surrounded on three sides by enemy forces and flipping 15:15.230 --> 15:18.640 effective and accurate fire captain sweating were needed hair 15:18.640 --> 15:22.320 assets indirect far support and medical evacuation helicopters 15:22.320 --> 15:24.740 afford to allow for the declaration of them did. 15:25.830 --> 15:28.930 Captains once and ignoring any radio transmissions demanding 15:28.930 --> 15:32.220 surrender in the new very uncovered to render medical aid to 15:32.220 --> 15:33.310 wounded fell soldier. 15:34.060 --> 15:37.140 Captain sweats and stop administering even long enough to throw 15:37.140 --> 15:40.050 a grenade at approaching enemy forces the for assisting with 15:40.050 --> 15:41.980 moving this order for air evacuation. 15:42.670 --> 15:46.090 With complete disregard for his own safety captain sweating on 15:46.090 --> 15:49.250 hesitating we but eighteen in in on armored vehicle into the 15:49.250 --> 15:53.490 kill zone exposing himself to enemy fire on at least two occasions 15:53.800 --> 15:56.740 to recover the wounded and searched for for missing comrades. 15:57.330 --> 16:01.470 After using aviation support to mark locations of filing include congrats. 16:01.760 --> 16:04.800 It became clear that ground recovery up the phone was required 16:05.050 --> 16:07.870 due to heavy enemy fire on helicopter landing zones. 16:08.540 --> 16:11.590 Kept us once his team returned to the kill zone another time 16:11.590 --> 16:12.400 and a hunky. 16:13.050 --> 16:16.960 Captains once and voluntarily axa digby vehicle exposing himself 16:16.960 --> 16:21.040 to enemy fire to locate and recover three farmer means and one 16:21.040 --> 16:21.990 funny the cormac. 16:22.620 --> 16:25.930 His exceptional leadership and stop resistance against the enemy 16:25.930 --> 16:29.190 during six hours of continuous fighting rallied his teammates 16:29.190 --> 16:31.210 can effectively disrupted the and is a cell. 16:32.270 --> 16:35.820 Get inland east one since extraordinary heroism and selflessness 16:36.030 --> 16:39.060 above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest 16:39.060 --> 16:42.690 traditions of military service reflect great credit upon himself 16:42.960 --> 16:47.690 task force phoenix. First battalion very second infantry regiment there. 16:47.690 --> 16:51.640 Brigade combat team tenth mountain division and the United States are.. Do. 18:08.060 --> 18:13.400 Do. You know what a spread of. 18:15.580 --> 18:18.630 And we ask your blessing to rest apart. OS is a day. 18:19.500 --> 18:20.880 We got worked in peace. 18:21.500 --> 18:24.380 By but the actions abc rages and good people. 18:25.270 --> 18:28.470 That we follow the example set by captain's once in his team. 18:29.360 --> 18:30.610 The people of valor. 18:31.260 --> 18:35.590 Ready when the cause for which we have given our ball ball confronts costs. 18:36.420 --> 18:40.630 Been estranged to live through troubled times fill us with grace 18:40.660 --> 18:42.010 equal to every need. 18:42.650 --> 18:46.860 And graham tossed the wisdom and the will to do justice to love 18:46.860 --> 18:48.130 mercy and to walk calmly. 18:49.000 --> 18:50.840 This we have to bring your whole the main. 18:51.500 --> 18:51.990 He. Meant. 18:57.190 --> 19:01.280 Well there is a say once again not only to well but for all our 19:01.280 --> 19:02.380 men and women in uniform. 19:03.100 --> 19:04.350 We've service was such. 19:05.050 --> 19:07.690 Incredible courage and professionalism. 19:08.500 --> 19:10.430 Of the Americas grateful for you. 19:11.440 --> 19:15.500 To the families of those we've lost we will never forget. 19:17.500 --> 19:22.780 And We'll a You are a remarkable role model for all this. 19:23.410 --> 19:25.890 And we're very grateful for your service a. 19:26.710 --> 19:29.970 We're going to have a reception after this I hear the forty-three 19:29.970 --> 19:33.940 good around here and a and so I hope for all we have a chance 19:33.940 --> 19:34.950 to stay. 19:35.800 --> 19:39.540 Those big red chairs to say thank you will personally obviously a. 19:40.190 --> 19:43.380 That's a very welcome. I'm indexing would were on the shelf first 19:43.850 --> 19:47.920 will take couple pictures of but in georgia cells. This afternoon joblessness..