Good morning ladies and gentlemen ,
welcome to the Medal of Honor induction
ceremony in honor of Staff Sergeant
Edward and Kaneshiro posthumously .
Specialist five Dwight W . Birdwell
Specialist five Dennis M . Fuji
Major , Retired john J . Duffy Colonel ,
Retired ralph Puckett , Jr . And
Sergeant Major thomas P pain
Staff Sergeant Kenny shiro posthumously
Specialist five Birdwell Specialist
five fuji Major , Retired Duffy Colonel ,
Retired pocket junior and Sergeant
Major Pain were presented our nation's
highest and most prestigious award for
valor by the President of the United
States . The Medal of Honor . This
morning they will formally be inducted
into the pentagon's most sacred place ,
the Hall of Heroes . Our official party
for today's ceremony includes the
Secretary of Defense , the honorable
Lloyd J . Austin , the Secretary of the
army , the honorable Christine E .
Wilmoth , the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff General Mark A Milley
and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
General joseph M . Martin . Ladies and
gentlemen , please stand for the
arrival of the official party and
remain standing for the singing of our
national anthem by sergeant , first
class Brendan Karen and the invocation
delivered by chaplain . Major General
thomas soldem .
Oh , say . Can you
see by the dawn's
early light . What so
proudly we held at the
twilight's last gleaming
whose broad stripes and bright
stars through the para
last fight or the
ramparts we watched were
so gallantly streaming
and the rockets red
glare . The bombs bursting
in air give
proof through the night
that our flag was still
there . Oh , say ,
does that star spangled
banner yet
wave or the
land of the
Free and the
home of the
brave
ladies and gentlemen , please join me
as we mark this very special ceremony
in a word of prayer . O Lord ! Our
strong tower , defender and ever
present help in time of struggle . You
are the God above all the earth who
trains our hands for war and whose
presence goes with us . In the day of
battle , We gather this day to honour
six warriors who exemplified humble
acts of courage . Soldiers who are in
the crucible of conflict , committed
acts of extraordinary bravery and
courage . No matter what the personal
cost . With a profound sense of pride ,
we pay tribute to the valor of such
warriors who gave so much of themselves
in a moment in time and one who gave
the full measure in this Medal of Honor
Hall of Heroes induction ceremony .
They by far represent the best of who
we are as a nation . Today we add Staff
Sergeant Edward , Kenneth Cheryl
Specialist , Dwight Birdwell Specialist ,
Dennis Fujii Major , Retired john Duffy ,
Colonel , retired Ralph Puckett junior
and Sergeant Major , thomas . Paine to
our nation's conclave of true american
heroes for their boldness , sacrifice
and bravery . They understood the
hazards of their chosen profession yet
upheld it with honor , integrity and
selfless service . Each of these men ,
when faith was danger and overwhelming
odds in the throes of combat drew from
your almighty strength of heart , soul
and spirit and made courageous
decisions . Built on the foundation of
their love and devotion to their fellow
soldiers . Their leaders , the mission ,
the army and their nation . We thank
the families who have faithfully stood
alongside their soldier . Those who
carry the memory of their loved one
friends and teammates who are here
today and others in spirit . To ensure
these great american soldiers and
heroes bless our nation . The
Department of Defense , the United
States Army with women and men of
character , courage and commitment like
these may the beacon of liberty
continue to burn bright for our nation
and freedom loving people around the
world . I pray these things in your
holy majestic and mighty name . Amen
please be seated .
Ladies and gentlemen , the Vice Chief
of Staff of the Army .
Well , good morning everybody
to the Kaneshiro family Judge
Birdwell and family Mr Fujii
and family Major Duffy and Family .
Lieutenant Colonel Retired mrs locke
and started major pain and family .
Thank you all for being here today .
Thank you also to the Medal of honor
recipient , Mr James Mclaughlin and
gold Star . Family member Miss Jane
Horton who have joined us today ,
Secretary Austin , Secretary War Meth
it's an honor to share the podium with
you today . Senator ernst , General
Milley , General Shinseki , General
Mccaffrey and all other distinguished
attendees . Welcome to today's
induction ceremony . We're here today
to recognise six Incredible American
soldiers for acts of heroism . But
first I want to take a moment to set
the scene . It's almost impossible to
describe the brutality of battle . It
is chaotic , confusing ,
exhausting and unrestrained
in these particular battles . The enemy
who would close the enemy was close and
overwhelming , death was imminent .
Yet These six men took action . They
invigorated the fight against
overwhelming violence and provided
clarity to their comrades in moments of
utter chaos . You will hear
more details about the actions of from
the other speakers , but what I'd like
to do is highlight a couple of witness
perspectives that stood out to me as I
reviewed these packets In the Kim Song
Valley , soldiers from Troop C , first
of the 9th cavalry were ambushed by the
enemy from a from a camouflage trench .
They were pinned down by machine gun
fire , unable to fall back and evacuate
the wounded . They watched
incredulously as Staff Sergeant
Kaneshiro alone and unstoppable jumped
into the trench , cleared it with a
rifle in six hand grenades , They said
they could see his head bobbing along
at times just 10 m away , popping out
or popping out to shout grenade before
he threw his rounds , one man assaulted
his one man assault ended their
destruction at an air base
outside of Saigon , A sergeant who had
been blown out of his track by an RPG
and was mobilized in a nearby ditched ,
watched as the Viet Cong and the North
Vietnamese army soldiers advanced
towards him , but every time they did
As they approached , they were thwarted
by specialist five birdwell who was
laying down devastating fires from his
tanks guns . Sergeant smith described
Birdwell sitting exposed and fearlessly
in the tanks , hats surrounded by a
cloud of paint chips from the enemy's
rounds hitting around him . Specialist
Bird Wells actions saved many lives ,
including Sergeant Smith's in the
mountains of Laos . Forward air
controllers were supporting a
Vietnamese ranger group that was nearly
overrun . They took direction from the
lone american on the ground , A medevac
crew chief Specialist five fuji
who crash landed and repeatedly waved
off evacuation due to the onslaught of
enemy fires . Specialist five . He
had been under continuous fire for days
and had lost a lot of blood but seemed
inexhaustible to the men on the radio .
He continuously exposed himself to
fires to pinpoint enemy locations and
he remains steady and composed as he
relayed highly accurate targeting
information and when american crews
arrived on station to evacuate the
remainder of the Vietnamese battalion ,
Major Duffy was advising . They were
amazed . It seemed unfathomable
that some 40 men with no food water or
ammunition could still be alive amidst
the swarm of enemy fighters . It was
Major Duffy's many heroic acts ,
including calling for strikes on his
own position to allow his battalion to
retreat that enabled the escape . Major
Duffy's Vietnamese Brothers including
Lieutenant Colonel Lee who is here with
us today , credit him with saving their
battalion from complete annihilation .
According to Lieutenant Colonel Lee .
He appeared to be fearless many years
before in the biting cold near the
changchun river in Korea . Then
Lieutenant Pocket jumped off his tank
Which was halted by enemy fired as he
shouted , let's go Rangers ! As he led
his company on foot towards Hill 205 .
When one of the many platoons were
suppressed by machine gun fire ,
Colonel Puckett ran into the open to
draw fire and allow his rangers to
locate the gunner . two times he ran
across the field and still in good
humor shouted , okay , I'm only gonna
do this one more time . Colonel Pollard
corporal Pollack Watch described him as
the bravest man he ever saw . Then
decades later , Northern Iraq Sergeant
Major Payne and his team entered a
building that was burning to rescue
hostages from an ISIS compound . The
smoke was thick and the air was
suppressive li hot . Sorry Major Payne
called called for a bolt cutter and
exposed himself to enemy fire as he cut
the locks and freed the hostages . The
call came that the building was
collapsing but sorry major pain stayed
to assist the fleeing people . As he
finally exited the building , his
teammates heard him shout , Last man ,
he was helping the final hostage who
had been immobilized by despair . Help
us find him find his way to freedom .
Beacons of hope in a storm of despair .
It's almost inconceivable to imagine
how any person could act the way these
men did so what drove them ? The answer
in these stories tells us these men
exhibited unbelievable courage ,
strength of will and selflessness out
of love for their fellow man . What a
testament to human potential . These
soldiers now have a venerated place in
american law and forever will represent
the greatness of our country and those
who serve it . They will inspire
generations of service members who are
looking for clarity as they face their
own battles . And these stories will be
a shining example of what the band of
brothers and sisters can compel young
people to believe or be
today . We use the phrase Army Strong .
These men epitomize that phrase in the
face of terror . They were pillars of
strength , endurance of love that is
army strong . Their stories will always
be a reminder of the potential strength
of the american soldier . So next time
you hear someone say Army Strong , I'd
ask you to think of them . Thank
you gentlemen and your families for
your service and unbelievable sacrifice .
Two years . Country Army Strong .
Thank you . General Martina Ladies and
gentlemen , the Secretary of the Army ,
Good morning everyone and welcome to
our distinguished guests to our Medal
of Honor recipients , to their families
and their friends . It's wonderful to
have you with us this morning .
Secretary Austin . General Milley ,
thank you so much for being with us and
thank you all of our distinguished
guests who are too numerous to name
today . We honor six Medal of Honor
recipients . Staff . Sergeant Kaneshiro
Specialist five Birdwell Major Retired
Duffy Colonel Puckett Specialist , five
fuji , each of whom fought either in
Vietnam in Korea and Sergeant Major
Payne who fought in Iraq . We honor
these men as soldiers of the world's
greatest land fighting force who went
above and beyond the call of duty . We
honor their families . We honor their
heroism and sacrifice and we honor each
of them as individuals as beloved sons ,
husbands , fathers and grandfathers .
Our country calls upon soldiers of the
United States Army to fight and win our
nation's wars . Our soldiers go
willingly with courage and honor to
defend our country , our democracy and
our national interests . The six
individuals that were inducting into
the Hall of Heroes today did just that
and so much more . In the moments that
mattered most . These men made the
choice time and time again to step
forward . They reached deep into their
personal reserves of faith values and
training and in the most dangerous
situations they mustered the strength
to prevail duty and devotion to their
fellow soldiers in arms , animated
their selflessness and enabled their
uncommon heroism despite their brave
achievements , some of our soldiers did
not receive the hero's welcome they
deserved when they returned home . As
I'm sure some in the audience can
remember when our soldiers returned
from Vietnam , our country was in
considerable turmoil . Our veterans
often bore the brunt of that political
and social unrest a burden that really
was not theirs to bear . And for many
veterans and heroes of the Vietnam War ,
including specialist five Birdwell ,
the war went into a box that he would
never open again . So I'm especially
honored this morning to tell you
something a little , something about
each of our recipients and our heroes .
The first honoree I'd like to introduce
you to is Staff Sergeant Edward Navarro
Kenichiro who received our nation's
highest honor for valor posthumously .
He is represented here today by his
Children , Naomi Tom and retired Master
Sergeant john Kenichiro Edward
Kaneshiro was born to calm and Thoma
Kaneshiro in Honolulu Hawaii the eighth
of 16 siblings . He graduated from Lei
Lei hula High School , the home of the
mighty mules in central Oahu and he
worked on the family farm until he
joined the army in 1959 . He was
husband to Mitsuko and Dad to Naomi Tom
and John and July 19 and in
July 1966 , he deployed to fight
America's war in Vietnam when his
oldest child was 10 and his youngest
was just four months old . In Vietnam .
Staff Sergeant Kaneshiro was a squad
leader with Troop C first Squadron ,
ninth Cavalry Regiment , first Cavalry
Division . He was part of the Blues
unit , a unit that took the fight to
the enemy when photos were drawn out of
their hiding spot . The blues were
called to go in and look for the fight .
After repeated acts of extraordinary
courage , he was killed ultimately by
enemy gunfire in March of 1967 .
In the years that followed Staff
Sergeant Kenichiro son john who is here
today carried on his father's proud
legacy of service to the nation ,
joining the army as an N . C . O . And
he retired as a master sergeant . I'm
told that it was the shared experience
of wearing the uniform of our nation
that helped bring john closer to the
man who was his father , a man who he
did not get the opportunity to know .
Staff Sergeant Kaneshiro , the son of
Japanese immigrants , was 13 years old
when America was attacked at Pearl
Harbor . We can all only imagine what
it must have been like for him and his
family during that time . And yet he
chose to serve our country and go to
war on its behalf . More than 20 years
later Yesterday , he became the 14th
Japanese American recipient of the
Medal of Honor from the Great State of
Hawaii . And his is a story that is
only possible here in the United States
of America . Our second Vietnam war
hero is specialist five Dwight D
Birdwell , a proud son of the Cherokee
nation . Mr Birdwell is a published
author , a former chief justice of the
Cherokee Nation Supreme Court and the
33rd native american to receive the
Medal of honor . He met his wife
Virginia also from a Cherokee family
when they were still Children . While
they had known each other for years .
It was only after he returned from
Vietnam that they fell in love . Mr
Birdwell is father to Edward and
Stephanie father in law to Spike
Bighorn of Montana and pa to his twin
granddaughters , Willow and raven who
are with us today . Mr Birdwell
graduated from Stillwell High School
and in 1966 , at the age of 18 he
enlisted in the regular army as a
private . His first overseas assignment
was to Korea , where he served in the
second Infantry Division Specialist
five Birdwell then went on to serve in
Vietnam as a gunner with troops C Third
Squadron , 4th Cavalry Regiment , 25th
Infantry Division Specialist Birdwell
lived by the Cherokee creed . Don't
bring shame on your ancestors and on
that faithful day , January
31 , 1968 , those words steadied and
sustained him . When Mr Birdwell
returned from Vietnam , he received his
bachelor's degree from Northeastern
State University . With the
encouragement of Cherokee nation elders .
He pursued his juris doctorate from the
University of Oklahoma . Many of the
soldiers who fought with him in Vietnam
faced hostility at home for their
service and struggled with ptsd
alcoholism and myriad other health
issues . In one of his classes at
Northeastern State , a professor asked
those who fought in Vietnam to raise
their hands , although he knew some
would scorn him . He raised his hand .
He was proud to have served and mr
Birdwell , We are so proud and thankful
for your service Specialist
five Dennis M . Fuji . He is another
proud son of Hawaii . He was born on
the island of Kauai and attended Waimea
High School . His mother's family were
rice farmers and his stepfather was a
mechanic for the Hawaii National Guard .
Mr Fuji is husband to Ray , father to
Tiffany and has a nine month old
grandson . He is an avid fisherman and
the 15th japanese american to receive
the nation's highest honor for valor In
1967 . By the time specialist five Fuji ,
he enlisted in the army as a private .
The Vietnam War was already well
underway and that is where he wanted to
be Specialist Fuji . He deployed to
Vietnam in 1968 where he spent his
first nine months assigned to Company C
Second Battalion , 35th Infantry
Regiment , fourth Infantry Division .
As an assistant machine gunner . His
second tour to Vietnam two years later
was with the 237th Medical Detachment ,
61st Medical Battalion , 37th Medical
Group reflecting on his time in the
army and his service in Vietnam
Specialist Fuji . He expressed that he
was driven by a desire to do his fair
share . While he was deployed friends
and family back home . Asked him why
are you there , what are you fighting
for ? Specialist Fujii told them that
he felt called to do for his country ,
what it needed to defend democracy
against communism and to preserve a
better life for the people of Vietnam .
Thank you . Mr Fuji for doing
immeasurably more than your fair share .
Our 4th Vietnam War Hero is major
retired John J . Duffy .
Major Duffy is dad to Natalie and
john and baba to Marcus and Judd . In
addition to being one of the most
decorated Army veterans of his
generation , he is also a poet , a
Pulitzer prize nominee , a publisher
and the founder of an investment firm
In 1955 . At the age of 17 , he aspired
to be a paratrooper and he enlisted in
the army as a private . When asked what
set him on that particular path , he
recalled that his neighbor was a US
Army paratrooper and had very shiny
boots . These boots made quite an
impression on the young john Duffy who
decided that he too would become a
paratrooper . So , at 17.5 , Major
Duffy was not only a fully qualified
paratrooper , but he now had his own
pair of boots , a pair that he kept
shined to perfection . Major Duffy
prided himself on training . Training
hard as he told me yesterday , he
attended 17 military schools and
received specialized training in things
like forward air control , which came
in very handy during his four tours in
Vietnam . At multiple point in his life
of triumphs and tribulations , he asked
himself , what should I do next ? What
is the thing I should be doing ? This
question led Major Duffy to become a
commissioned officer and then to be
stationed at Fort Bragg serving with
the Special Forces . The war in Vietnam
was just beginning and this time for
john Duffy , the next thing to do was
to volunteer to serve in Vietnam . So
in December of 1972 as an advisor to
elite South Vietnamese paratroopers .
His job was to call in enemy positions
to American air power as the only
american on the ground . He worked hand
in hand with his south Vietnamese
counterpart , Lieutenant Colonel Maley ,
who is also with us here today .
Despite the repeated attacks and the
wounds he suffered , Major Duffy
persisted when Lieutenant Colonel Lee
was seriously injured , Duffy led the
remaining defenders on charlie Hill to
safety and his partnership with
Lieutenant Colonel Lee on the
battlefield turned into a lifelong
friendship . After retiring from the
army , john Duffy became a legend in
the special operations community . He
is a founding member of the Special
Operations Association and a life
member of the Special Forces Decade
Association , the legion of valor and
many more . The fifth hero that we're
honoring today is Colonel retired Ralph
Puckett . Junior . Col Puckett was
awarded the Medal of Honor in April
2021 and I'm delighted that we're
officially able to indict him into the
Hall of Heroes . This morning . Colonel
Puckett is a proud son of Georgia . The
son of atticus Puckett , husband to
gene Dad to Martha and thomas and known
as Big Daddy to his six grandchildren .
He attended the U.S . Academy at West
Point and received his commission as an
infantry officer in 1949 , Colonel
Puckett formed and commanded one of the
first ranger units after the rangers
were disbanded following World War two .
And he is considered to be the
architect of the modern day ranger
regiment . As a ranger instructor at
Fort Benning . Colonel Puckett was
known to say don't quit ranger at the
turnaround of the 12 mile Foot march .
And many soldiers today still recall
his encouraging presence with fondness .
He believed then as he does now that if
a soldier was willing and able to meet
the standards that were set , they had
the right to be there And being there
was important for Ralph Puckett in
November 1951 on Hill
222 and later on Hill 205 in
Korea where against all odds , his
leadership and example helped to save
his men to Colonel Puckett . Thank you
for your courage for your lifetime of
service and for defining what it means
to be a ranger for successive
generations who followed you . Our
final inductee this morning in the Hall
of Heroes is Sergeant Major thomas
Patrick Payne . Sergeant Major Payne
answered the call to serve after 9 11
enlisting as a private in 2002 . He
keeps his bible in his pack and wears a
cross necklace close to his chest .
He's a proud son of south Carolina .
Dad to Elizabeth Aaron and Joshua and
husband to Allison . He and his wife
Alison met at lake Murray . South
Carolina where he was recovering from a
grenade blast from Afghanistan they met ,
they fell in love and the rest is
history . As they say , Pat and Allison
named their second son josh after
Master Sergeant Joshua wheeler , who
was killed in action during the hostage
rescue operation in New Ouija . If
you've had the opportunity to meet
Sergeant major pain , you'll notice his
no nonsense humility and relentless
focus on the mission . But it's worth
knowing that he served in the army's
most elite units , including the 75th
ranger Regiment and within several
other units in Army Special Operations
Command . As he looks back on his life
to date and military service , he will
tell you that even if you laid out 100
careers in front of him , he would pick
this career every time reflecting on
the medal of honor that he was awarded
in 2020 . Sergeant Major Payne is quick
to note that he should not be
remembered as a recipient , but as a
Guardian . Shortly after the hostage
rescue Operation Hawija in 2015 , I had
the opportunity to visit with members
of the unit that participated in that
operation in Kirkuk province . I
remember worrying that day that I did
not know what to say to the soldiers ,
I would meet who had just lost their
brother in arms . Master Sergeant
wheeler . I still do not have the right
words to say today , but what I can say
is thank you for your extraordinary
courage and valor valor and thank you
for the many lives you saved on behalf
of a grateful nation and a grateful
army . Thanks to all of our Hall of
Hero inductees for your extraordinary
courage and valor and for the many
lives you saved . Thank you for your
love of country and all that you have
given to it to your families . Thank
you for your sacrifice and for sharing
your sons , husbands , fathers and
grandfathers with all of us .
Thank you Secretary Wilmoth , Ladies
and gentlemen , the Secretary of
Defense .
Well , good morning everybody .
Secretary warmth and General martin .
Thank you for your moving tributes to
our honorees and thank you for
everything that you do for soldiers and
their families . It's also great to be
here with General Milley . Thank you
for your partnership and your
leadership . Chairman
Special Welcome to Senator ernst for
joining us today . Thank you for being
here to help us recognize
some great american heroes . And let me
also welcome the families and friends
of the recipients who are here today
and those who are joining us online ,
the families of our service members
might never wear the uniform , but they
serve every bit as much as their
loved ones and we know how hard it can
be and we can never take it for granted .
So from all of us here , thank you for
everything that you do
now . It's an honor to spend time with
one Medal of honor recipient but being
here today with today's gathering of
heroes , this is once in a lifetime ,
the medal of honor is reserved only for
those whose bravery shone out during
the chaos in the den of battle ,
for those who put their lives on the
line for their teammates and for those
who charge towards danger and went
far far above and beyond the
call of duty . And
today , as you've heard , we have the
enormous privilege of adding six Medal
of Honor recipients to our Hall of
Heroes . Now these warriors come
from different backgrounds . Their
hometowns stretch from new york to
Honolulu . They fought in conflicts
from Korea to Vietnam to the war
against ISIS in their time in
uniform Spans nearly 80
years . But they are
all soldiers united in their
devotion to duty duty to
carry out their mission duty to their
teammates and the allies who served
alongside and duty to democracy and to
the country that they love
in that sense of duty carried
them through incredible acts of courage .
You know , none of them set out to be
here today , but in these
moments they displayed the rare
kind of valor deserving of our
military's highest decoration .
So let me start with Staff Sergeant
Edward kinda Shiro
In 1966 , he was serving in Vietnam as
an infantry squad leader in one day in
december . He and his squad were out
scouting for open terrain . They didn't
know it but North Vietnamese
forces were planning to ambush their
teammates through a concealed trench
system and when machine gunfire erupted ,
his squad moved towards the sound and
Sergeant Sergeant Kaneshiro threw a
grenade right through the aperture of
the enemy bunker , stopping the ambush
where it started . Then he jumped into
the trenches and singlehandedly
destroyed one Enemy Group After Another .
And because of his bravery , his
platoon was able to withdraw from the
village and tragically , just a
few months later , Sergeant Kenneth
Shiro was killed in action by enemy
fire . I wish
that I could personally thank him for
his heroism and his selflessness ,
but it's a profound honor to have his
Children with us today . And as I
told you earlier , I know that you
didn't get enough time with your father
and I know that no words of praise can
make up for his loss , but I can only
imagine how proud you must be of his
service and john , I know how proud
your father would be of your own
military career , including your two
deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom .
You have all carried on his legacy and
live lives that honor his memory
now . Like Sergeant Kaneshiro
Specialist Five Dwight Birdwell also
jumped into action when his unit came
under attack In 1968 . During
the Tet Offensive . His team was called
to protect an allied base near Saigon
and they were heavily outnumbered and
almost immediately his tank commander
was critically wounded and Specialist
Birdwell realized that the tank was the
only thing between his fellow soldiers
and the enemy . So Specialist
Birdwell fired anything that he could
get his hands on The tank's main 90
millim gun and then it's machine gun
and at several points he hopped out of
the commander's hatch With his M 16 to
get a better shot . Even when he ran
out of ammo , he kept on fighting , He
made his way down to a downed American
helicopter and found two machine guns .
His comrade took one and Specialist
Birdwell took the other . Now that
gun was shot out of his hands and
Specialist Birdwell was wounded by the
shrapnel but he still refused to leave
the battle and Specialist Bird Rail ran
through a storm of enemy fire and found
a defensive position and to collect and
redistribute ammunition to the
remaining defenders and then he led a
group of his comrades past enemy lines
and threw hand grenades to prevent the
enemy from advancing and through it
all . Specialist Birdwell continued to
fight and when he
returned home to Oklahoma , he
continued to serve , he heard he earned
his law degree and went on to preside
over the Cherokee Nation's Judicial
Appeals Tribunal as its Chief Justice
Specialist Birdwell , you said that you
joined the army because you've been
inspired by the many , many members of
the Cherokee Nation who served before
you . I hope that you know
that your life of service will inspire
generations to come
Next . It's specialist five Dennis
Fuji And on
24 February 1971 ,
the new york times reported from South
Vietnam on his bravery ,
saying that quote pilots here thought
that the man was a hero .
Days earlier , Specialist Fuji's dust
off crew had taken off in a helicopter
to evacuate South Vietnamese military
personnel from a raging battlefield but
as they approached they took intense
fire and their Huey crash landed
and Specialist Fuji was injured in the
wreckage . Another american helicopter
was able to land nearby and his
crewmates climbed aboard . But
specialist Fuji was taking too much
fire so he signaled to the pilot to
take off without him so that the others
could get to safety and once the
helicopter flew away , he was the only
american left on the battlefield .
He managed to find a radio and told
aviators not to try to come rescue him .
There was just too much anti aircraft
fire , he told them and the battlefield
was too hot . He was
hurt and stranded but he spent the
night and the next day administering
first aid to wounded South Vietnamese
allies in the meanwhile the enemy
brought reinforcements and soon the
encampment was under renewed assault
and Specialist Fuji found yet another
radio but he didn't use it to
request a rescue .
Instead he called in enemy positions
and directed air strikes against them
For the next 17 hours
and finally a helicopter airlifted him
out . But again , they sustain enemy
fire and crash landed 2.5 miles away
and so exhausted and wounded . He had
to wait another two days before
reaching safety and
specialist fuji people have known you
to be a hero ever since and I'm
proud to officially add your name to
our whole of heroes .
Now , in 1972 ,
Major Duffy was a senior adviser to an
elite battalion of the South Vietnamese
army . He trusted his counterparts
and they trusted him and on 14 April
their job was simple but gravely
dangerous . They had to hold off North
North Vietnamese forces at fire support
base charlie for as long as possible .
So in the early morning hours Major
Duffy snuck up as close as he could to
the enemy's anti aircraft positions and
from there he called in airstrikes .
Major Duffy was wounded by shrapnel ,
but he refused evacuation and when the
enemy began bombarding the base with
artillery , he put himself in an
exposed position so that he could call
in more air strikes and finally the
enemy went silent without a moment to
lose . Major Duffy moved allied
soldiers to safer positions and because
it was too dangerous for resupply
aircraft to land , he redistributed
what remained of the ammo and by the
next morning the North Vietnamese
forces resume their attacks ,
inflicting even more casualties .
Major Duffy organized an evacuation of
those who survived and when they
reached the exfiltration site . Major
Duffy would not leave until
all of his brothers in arms were aboard
and one of those evacuees is here with
us today . Major Duffy's counterpart .
Lieutenant Colonel lee . Gentlemen ,
thank you both for your service .
You know . Years later , Major Duffy
remembered being asked if he wanted to
go into that battle and he
replied , quote , gotta go in .
It's the job , Major
Duffy . It is the job ,
but few have ever done that job with as
much valor . So thank you for all that
you have done on behalf of our country
and today , after delays caused by the
pandemic , I'm also glad to
officially induct to Medal of honor
recipients into the Hall of Heroes .
Colonel Ralph Puckett and Sergeant
Major thomas Patrick Payne .
Although Colonel Puckett couldn't be
with us in person today , I believe
that he's watching from home . So ,
good morning Colonel and we're glad
that you're represented here in person
by retired Lieutenant Colonel john
locke .
So let's think back On a frigid morning
in 1950 , During the Battle of Battle
for Hill 205 in the Korean War .
First Lieutenant Puckett was commanding
the eighth U . S . Army ranger company
and he repeatedly put his life at risk
running across an open field and
courting enemy fire so that his team
could spot the chinese position and as
a battleground on he was injured by
grenade fragments but he wouldn't leave .
Instead he moved from Foxhole to
Foxhole redistributing ammunition and
taking care of his men , His
compassion and his grit
inspired his fellow rangers . And
so when he was wounded again , he
ordered his men to leave him behind .
But they refused and they got him out
because Lieutenant Puckett has shown
them that true courage means putting
your people first and after
receiving the Medal of Honor last year ,
Colonel Puckett thought of his team
saying , quote , the people who earn
that medal are the rangers who did more
than I asked . That's
absolutely right . But Colonel Puckett ,
you did so much more than your country
asked and we salute .
You're a tremendous service .
And finally , from Col Puckett's
heroism in 1950 , we fast forward some
65 years and shift to Kirkuk
province in Northern Iraq and the
battle against ISIS in 2015 .
Then Sergeant first class Patrick Payne
was charged with leading a raid to free
Iraqis taken hostage hostage by the
jihadist . His team knew that ISIS had
been holding the prisoners in two
buildings . So when Sergeant Payne's
team landed in the dead of night ,
they cleared one of those buildings and
free the hostages and sign . But the
second building was under intense fire
and starting pain heard on the radio
that his fellow soldiers needed help
there and he remembers turning to one
of his teammates and saying quote ,
let's get into the fight . The building
was burning and certain pain knew that
the prisoners locked inside would die
if they weren't free . So he plunged
into the smoke and the enemy fire and
found an armored door behind that
armored door where dozens of prisoners
trapped . Certain pain then traded his
rifle for boat cutters and again went
into the building . It was on fire and
under fire and he broke the lock on
the door . Now by this point the beer
the building was near collapsing and
the soldiers were ordered to evacuate .
But certain pain ran back in again to
to save more hostages and then he
went in again to check that no one was
left behind
and champagne had said let's get into
the fight and he did angel
and over again . And that night he
helped to free 75 prisoners ,
those men and women and their families
will never forget that daring rescue
and neither will we . So thank you
Sergeant Paine and I have to tell you
Sergeant Paine . Sergeant major pain .
I'm especially grateful because I'm the
guy that sent you into that fight as a
centcom commander and I will
remain grateful to you and your
comrades for the incredible ,
incredible work that you did on that
night to save lives . So on behalf of
our country , thank you for all that
you and your teammates have done .
Ladies and gentlemen , President
Kennedy once said that a nation reveals
itself not only by the man it produces ,
but also by the man it honors .
So today we etch the soldiers names
into the hall of heroes to honor their
deeds and to remember why american
warriors fight . We honor these heroes
because they represent the very best of
us and we honor these heroes to inspire
future generations . May we all find
the courage to live up to the example
that they have set . May we all find
the commitment to serve and defend our
republic and may we all find the
dedication and duty to our democracy
that these heroes have shown .
May God bless our Medal of honor
recipients and those who serve
alongside them and all who love them .
Thank you very much .
Secretary were Meth General Milley ,
General martin , Miss Naomi Valeria and
Miss Ashley Axon , stress head will now
join Secretary Austin on stage for the
induction ceremony of staff Sergeant
Edward and Kenichiro .
Ladies and gentlemen , please remain
seated during the presentations .
The President of the United States of
America authorized by the Act of
Congress . March 3 18 63
has post humorously awarded in the name
of Congress the medal of honor to Staff
Sergeant Edward in Kenshiro , United
States Army for conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty .
Staff Sergeant Edward N Kenichiro
distinguished himself by acts of
gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty while serving
as an infantry squad leader with Troop
C First Squadron , ninth Cavalry ,
First Cavalry Division near to kIM Sun
Valley , Republic of Vietnam on one
December 1966 . Not knowing that the
village was heavily fortified with a
fully bunkered and concealed the trench
system and garrisoned by north
Vietnamese troops in vastly superior
force . Two squads of the platoon had
deployed to its center while Staff
Sergeant Kaneshiro and his squad
scouted the more open terrain to the
east of the village , sensing the
opportunity to ambush the infantry
squads , the entrenched enemy force
erupted with machine gun and small arms
fire against the two squads at the
center of the village , killing the
platoon leader and the point man ,
wounding four others , then
successfully suppressing the surviving
soldiers . Staff Sergeant Kenichiro
moved with his men to the sound of the
fire , swiftly reading the situation ,
saying that the fire from the trench
had to be stopped if anyone was to
survive , he first deployed his men to
cover , then crawled forward to attack
the enemy force alone . He began by
throwing grenades from the parapet
while flattened to the ground ,
successfully throwing the first grenade
through the aperture of the bunker ,
eliminating the machine gunner who had
opened the action with five grenades
remaining and his rifle to sustain his
assault . Staff Sergeant Kaneshiro
jumped into the trench to sweep its
length where it fronted the two pandas
squads Over the distance of about 35 m .
He worked the ditch alone , destroying
one enemy group with rifle fire and two
others with grenades . By the end of
his sweep , the able bodied survivors
of the two squads were again standing
and preparing to move the dead and
wounded Staff Sergeant Kenny Xiros
actions enabled the orderly extraction
and reorganization of the platoon
ultimately led to successful withdrawal
from the village . Staff sergeant
Kenneth heroes , conspicuous gallantry
and uncommon heroism under fire were in
keeping with the highest traditions of
military service and reflect great
credit upon himself his unit and the
United States Army .
Okay
at this time the Medal of Honor flag
will be presented on 23 october 2000
and two . Public Law one oh 7248 .
Section 81 43 established the Medal of
Honor flag to recognize service members
who have distinguished themselves by
gallantry in action above and beyond
the call of duty . The Medal of Honor
flag commemorates the sacrifice and
bloodshed for our freedoms and gives
emphasis to the medal of Honor , being
the highest award for valor by an
individual serving in the armed forces
of the United States . The light blue
color with gold fringe bearing 13 white
stars are adapted from the Medal of
Honor ribbon .
Thank you Miss Naomi Valeria and Miss
Axon shelter
Specialist five Dwight Birdwell .
Please join secretary Austin .
Secretary Wilmoth , General Milley and
General Martin for the induction
ceremony . Ladies and gentlemen ,
please remain seated during the
presentation .
The President of the United States of
America authorized by Act of Congress .
March 3 18 63 has awarded in the
name of Congress . The Medal of honor
to specialist five Dwight W Birdwell .
United States Army for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call
of duty . Specialist Five Dwight W .
Birdwell distinguished himself by acts
of gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty while serving
with C Troop , Third Squadron , Fourth
Cavalry , 25th Infantry Division in the
Republic of Vietnam on 31 january 1968 .
On this date C Troop was ordered to
move south to help repel an enemy
attack on Tan Son Airbase . As the C
troop column of tanks and armored
personnel carriers approached the west
gate of tan sand airbase , it came
under intense enemy fire from a
building to its right . Unbeknown to C
troop , it had driven directly into an
enemy force consisting of three
battalions . The column tried to push
through the initial attack , but the
lead tank , crippled by a rocket
propelled grenade explosion , was
blocking the way forward . C Troop
immediately came under heavy enemy fire
from both sides of the road Specialist
five Birdwell , upon saying that his
tank commander was wounded by enemy
fire , immediately went to his aid
under intense enemy fire . He lowered
the injured tank commander to the
ground and moved him to safety
Specialist five Bird Wall . Then with
complete disregard for his own safety
mounted the tank and assumed the tank
commander's position standing in the
tank Commander's Hatch with the upper
half of his body exposed to heavy enemy
fire . Specialist Five Birdwell used
the tanks , 50 caliber machine gun and
90 millimeter main gun to suppress the
enemy attack . With the ammunition for
the 90 millimeter main gun exhausted ,
he continued to fire the 50 caliber
machine gun until it overheated . At
this point , Specialist Five Birdwell ,
rather than abandoning his position ,
continued to engage the enemy with his
M 16 rifle , sometimes exposing his
entire body to enemy fire in order to
engage the enemy from a better vantage
point when the United States helicopter
crashed nearby , Specialist Five
Birdwell under withering enemy fire ,
dismounted and moved to the helicopter ,
where he returned with two M 60 machine
guns and ammunition . After giving one
M- 60 ammunition to a fellow soldier ,
he re mounted his tank and used the
other M- 62 again engage the enemy .
Specialist five Birdwell continued to
engage the enemy with complete
disregard for his own safety until the
M60 he was firing was hit by enemy fire
Specialist five Birdwell , now wounded
in the face , neck , chest , and arms
dismounted the tank but refused to be
medically evacuated . Instead ,
Specialist Five Birdwell under enemy
fire , rallied fellow soldiers to
advance forward toward the front of the
armored column where they set up a
defensive position by a large tree .
From this position , he and the other
soldiers engaged the enemy with M- 16
fire and grenades As the enemy fire
lessened . Specialist five Birdwell
gathered ammunition from the disabled
vehicles and helped wounded soldiers
move to safer positions . His
leadership and tenacity under fire
inspired the other c troop soldiers to
continue fighting against the superior
enemy force and directly contributed to
the enemy's ultimate defeat .
Specialist Five Bird Wells ,
extraordinary heroism and selflessness
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
at this time the Medal of Honor flag
will be presented by the Secretary of
Defense .
Thank you . Specialist five birdwell
Specialist five Dennis M . Fuji .
Please join Secretary Austin ,
Secretary Wilmoth , General Milley and
General Martin for the induction
ceremony . Ladies and gentlemen ,
please remain seated during the
presentations .
The President of the United States of
America , authorized by Act of Congress ,
March 3 , 18 63 has awarded
in the name of Congress the Medal of
honor to Specialist five Dennis M Fuji .
United States Army for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call
of duty . Specialist five Dennis M .
Fuji distinguished himself by
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
beyond the call of duty while serving
as crew chief aboard a helicopter
ambulance during the rescue operation
in Laos Republic of Vietnam during the
period of 18 two , February
1971 . Specialist five Fuji was
serving with a 237th medical detachment ,
61st Medical Battalion , 67th Medical
Group . The team's mission was to
evacuate seriously wounded Vietnamese
military personnel from the midst of a
raging battlefield . The aircraft's
primary approach to the bullet infested
landing zone was thwarted by heavy
volumes of enemy fire directed at the
specialists helicopter . As the pilot
made a second landing attempt , the
enemy consume concentrated a barrage of
flak at the air ambulance which damaged
the craft and caused it to crash in the
conflict area , injuring specialist
five Fuji . Moments later ,
another American helicopter
successfully landed near the wreckage
of the specialists airship and
extracted all the downed crewmen except
for specialist five Fuji who was unable
to board due to the intense enemy fire
directed at him rather than further
endanger the lives of his comrades
aboard . The second helicopter
specialist Five Fuji waved the craft
out of the combat area and remained
behind as the only american on the
battlefield . Subsequent attempts to
rescue the specialists were aborted due
to the violent anti aircraft fire
Specialist five Fuji finally secured a
radio and informed the aviators in the
area that the landing zone was too hot
for further evacuation attempts during
the night and all through the next day ,
Specialist Five fuji disregarded his
own wounds as he administered first aid
to the allied casualties On the night
of 19 February . The Allied Perimeter
came under ruthless assault by a
reinforced enemy regiment supported by
heavy artillery . Once again obtaining
a radio transmitter . Specialist Fuji
called in american helicopter gunships
to assist the small unit in repelling
the attack For a period of over 17
consecutive hours . Specialist five
Fuji repeatedly exposed himself to
hostile fire as he left the security of
his entrenchment to better observe
enemy troop positions and to direct air
strikes against them . At times the
fighting became so vicious that
specialist five Fuji was forced to
interrupt radio transmittal in order to
place a suppressive rifle fire on the
enemy while at close quarters The
wounded and severely fatigued . By 20
February , the specialist bore the
responsibility for the protection and
defense of the friendly encampment
until an american helicopter could land
an attempt to airlift him from the area
As his air ambulance left the
Battlefield , it received numerous hits
and was forced to crash land at another
South Vietnamese Ranger base
approximately four km from the
specialists original location . The
totally exhausted specialist five Fujii
remained at the Allied camp for two
more days until another helicopter
could return him to Phu Bai for medical
assistance . On 22 February ,
Specialist five Fuji's extraordinary
heroism and devotion to duty were in
keeping with the highest traditions of
military service and reflect great
credit upon himself , his unit and the
United States Army .
Mhm .
At this time the medal of honor flag
will be presented by the Secretary of
Defense .
Thank you . Specialist five Fuji
Major Retired john Duffy . Please join
Secretary Austin . Secretary Wilmoth .
General Milley and General martin for
the induction ceremony . Ladies and
gentlemen , please remain seated during
the presentation .
The President of the United States of
America , authorized by Act of Congress ,
March 3 , 18 63 has awarded
in the name of Congress the Medal of
Honor to Major john J Duffy , United
States Army for conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty .
Major John J . Duffy distinguished
himself by acts of gallantry and
intrepidity above and beyond the call
of duty while serving as the senior
advisor to the 11th Airborne Battalion ,
2nd Brigade , Airborne Division , Army
of the Republic of Vietnam in the
Republic of Vietnam . During the period
of 14 to 15 April 1972 .
In the two days preceding the events of
the 14th to 15th April
1972 , the commander of the 11th
Airborne Battalion was killed . The
battalion command post was destroyed
and Major Duffy was twice wounded but
refused to be evacuated . Then , on 14
April , major Duffy directed the
defense of fire support base Charlie
which was surrounded by a battalion
sized enemy element in the morning .
Hours after a failed effort to
establish a landing zone for resupply
aircraft , he moved close to enemy anti
aircraft positions to call in
airstrikes . At this time , Major Duffy
was again wounded by fragments from a
recoilless rifle round and again
refused medical evacuation . Shortly
thereafter the enemy began an artillery
bombardment on the base and he remained
in exposed positions to direct gunships
on the enemy positions which eventually
silenced the enemy fire . Following the
bombardment , Major Duffy assessed the
conditions on the base and personally
ensured the wounded friendly foreign
soldiers were moved to positions of
relative safety and the remaining
ammunition was appropriately
distributed among the remaining
defenders . Shortly
thereafter the enemy resumed indirect
fire on the base . Expending estimated
300 rounds . Nevertheless , he remained
in an exposed position to direct fire
gun ships on the enemy positions . In
the late afternoon hours , the enemy
began a ground assault from all sides
of the fire base and Major Duffy moved
from position to position to adjust
fire , spot targets for artillery
observers and ultimately to direct
gunship fire on a friendly position
which had been compromised . As the
evening wore on , it became clear that
the defenders could not withstand the
overwhelming enemy forces and he began
to organize an evacuation of the fire
base under the cover of night . With
the goal of a complete withdrawal ,
Major Duffy was the last man off the
base remaining behind to adjust the
covering fire from gunships until the
last possible moment when the acting
battalion commander was wounded , he
assumed command of the evacuation and
maintained communication with the
available air support to direct fire on
the enemy . In the early morning hours
of 15 April the enemy ambushed the
battalion inflicting additional
casualties and scattering some of the
able bodied soldiers . Major Duffy
organized defensive positions during
the ambush and ensured the friendly
foreign forces could successfully
repulsed the enemy . After withstanding
the ambush , he led the evacuees , many
of whom were significantly wounded , to
an established evacuation area .
Despite being continually pursued by
the enemy . Upon reaching the
exfiltration site , Major Duffy
directed gunship fire on enemy
positions and marked the landing zone
for the helicopters . Only after
ensuring all the evacuees were aboard ,
did Major Duffy board while also
assisting a wounded friendly foreign
soldier in with him . Once on board ,
he administered aid to a helicopter
door gunner who had been wounded during
the evacuation . Major Duffy's
extraordinary heroism and selflessness
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
At this time the Medal of Honor flag
will be presented by the Secretary of
Defense .
Thank you Major Duffy
Mr john Locke , the Representative for
Colonel Retired ralph Puckett , please
join Secretary Austin . Secretary room
with General Milley and General martin
for the induction ceremony . Ladies and
gentlemen , please remain seated during
the presentations .
The President of the United States of
America , authorized by Act of Congress ,
March 3 18 63 has awarded in the name
of Congress the Medal of Honor to First
Lieutenant ralph Puckett , Junior
United States Army for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call
of duty . First Lieutenant ralph
Puckett JR distinguished himself by
acts of gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty while
serving as the commander , Eighth
United States Army ranger company
during the period of 25 november 1950
through 26 november 1950 in Korea .
As his unit commenced a daylight attack
on hill 205 the enemy directed mortar
machine gun and small arms fire against
the advancing force to obtain
supporting fire . First Lieutenant
Puckett mounted the closest tank ,
exposing himself to the deadly enemy
fire leaping from the tank . He shouted
words of encouragement to his men and
began to lead the rangers in the attack .
Almost immediately enemy fire
threatened the success of the attack by
pinning down one platoon , leaving the
safety of his position with full
knowledge of the danger . First
Lieutenant Puckett intentionally ran
across an open area three times to draw
enemy fire , thereby allowing the
rangers to locate and destroy the enemy
positions and to seize hill 205 during
the night the enemy launched a counter
attack that lasted four hours over the
course of the counter attack . The
rangers were inspired and motivated by
the extraordinary leadership and
courage example exhibited by First
Lieutenant Puckett . As a result five
human wave attacks by battalion size
strength . Enemy elements were repulsed
during the first attack . First
Lieutenant Puckett was wounded by
grenade fragmentation but refused to
evacuate and continually directed
artillery support that decimated
attacking enemy formations , repeatedly
abandoning positions of relative safely
to make his way from foxhole to foxhole
to check the company's perimeter and
distribute ammunition amongst the
rangers . When the enemy launched a 6th
attack , it became clear to first
lieutenant Puckett that the position
was untenable due to the unavailability
of support artillery fire . During this
attack , two enemy mortar rounds landed
in his foxhole inflicting grievous
wounds which limited his mobility
knowing his men were in a precarious
situation . First Lieutenant Puckett
commanded the rangers to leave him
behind and evacuate the area , feeling
a sense of duty to aid him . The
rangers refused the order and staged an
effort to retrieve him from the foxhole
while still under fire from the enemy .
Ultimately the rangers succeeded in
retrieving First Lieutenant Puckett and
they moved to the bottom of the hill
where First Lieutenant Puckett called
for devastating artillery fire on top
of the enemy controlled hill . First
Lieutenant Puckett's extraordinary
heroism and selflessness 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
at this time the Medal of Honor flag
will be presented by the Secretary of
Defense .
Thank you Mr Luck .
Sergeant Major thomas Paine please join .
Secretary Austin . Secretary were meth
General Milley and General martin for
the induction ceremony . Ladies and
gentlemen , please remain seated during
the presentations ,
The President of the United States of
America authorized by act of Congress ,
March 3 18 63 has awarded in the
name of Congress the Medal of Honor to
Sergeant first class thomas Payne ,
United States Army for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call
of duty . Sergeant first class thomas P .
Payne distinguished himself by
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty on
october 22nd 2015 , during a daring
nighttime hostage rescue in Kirkuk
province Iraq in support of operation
inherent resolve . Sergeant Payne led a
combined assault team charged with
clearing one of two buildings known to
house the hostages With speed ,
audacity and courage . He led his team
as they quickly cleared the signed
building , liberating 38 hostages .
Upon hearing a request for additional
assaulters to assist with clearing the
other building . Sergeant pain on his
own initiative , left his secured
position , exposing himself to enemy
fire as he bounded across the compound
to the other building from which
entrenched enemy forces were engaging
his comrades . Sergeant Payne climbed a
ladder to the building's roof which was
partially engulfed in flames and
engaged enemy fighters below with
grenades and small arms fire . He then
moved back to the ground level to
engage the enemy forces through a
breach hole in the west side of the
building knowing time was running out
for the hostages trapped inside the
burning building . Sergeant Payne moved
to the main entrance where heavy enemy
fire had thwarted previous attempts to
enter . He knowingly risked his own
life by bravely entering the building
under intense enemy fire and during
smoke , heat and flames to
identify the armored door , imprisoning
the hostages upon exiting Sergeant
Payne exchanged his rifle for bolt
cutters and again entered the building ,
ignoring the enemy rounds impacting the
walls around him as he cut the locks on
the complex locking mechanism . His
courageous actions motivated by the
collation assault team members to enter
the breach and assist with cutting the
locks . After exiting to catch his
breath , he reentered the building to
make the final lock cuts , freeing 37
hostages . Sergeant Payne then
facilitated the evacuation of the
hostages even though ordered to
evacuate the collapsing building
himself , which was now structurally
unsound due to the fire . Sergeant
Payne then re entered the burning
building one last time to ensure
everyone had been evacuated . He
consciously exposed himself to enemy
automatic gunfire each time he entered
the building . His extraordinary
heroism and selfless actions were key
to liberating 75 hostages during a
contested rescue mission that resulted
in 20 enemies killed in action .
Sergeant First Class Paine's gallantry
under fire and uncommon valor are in
keeping with the highest traditions of
military service and reflect great
credit upon himself . The United States
Special Operations Command and the
United States Army
at this time . The Medal of Honor flag
will be presented by the Secretary of
Defense .
Thank you . Sergeant Major pain
mrs Valeria , Miss Jackson Specialist
five Birdwell Specialist five Fuji
Major Duffy and mr Luck please join
senior leaders and sergeant Major pain
on the stage .
The Medal of Honor plaque will now be
unveiled in docents . Staff sergeant
ken Ichiro Specialist five Birdwell
Specialist five fuji Major Duffy .
Colonel Puckett junior and Sergeant
Major Pain into the Hall of Heroes .
Mhm .
Okay .
Thank you . Secretary Austin .
Secretary room with General Milley .
General martin specialist five Birdwell
Specialist five fuji Major Duffy Mr
Locke and Sergeant Major Payne .
No
ladies and gentlemen , Miss Ashley
and Miss Naomi Viloria .
Mhm mm .
Good morning . My name is Naomi Valeria
here with my niece Ashley Exxon . Shell
stead to represent the conditional
family . Our father ,
staff Sergeant Edward was born in
Honolulu hawaii on July 22 , 1928 .
He came from a large family . The 8th
child of 16 siblings . After graduating
from high school in on the island of
Oahu . He worked on the family farm for
almost 10 years before joining the army
While serving in the army with the 1st
Calvary Division in Vietnam . He was
killed in action on March 6 , 1967 .
Our mother became a widow and a single
mother at 35 years old . She began a
life of tremendous difficulty raising
five Children alone . The oldest
daughter was 10 and the youngest son at
only four months old . Our mother never
said a word about our father or the war
all these years because the grief was
just too profound . We were all very
young when our father died as years
passed and stories were told , we knew
that our father was a proud soldier who
carried traits of duty , honor and
pride into war . On December 1 ,
1966 , he was a squad leader of his
platoon during a mission in Qin Song
Valley Vietnam when his unit came under
fire from a heavily fortified village
of North Vietnamese troops . Without
being told what to do by anyone . He
crawled forward to attack it alone
using six grenades and an M 16 rifle .
His brave and selfless act not only
saved the lives of US soldiers but also
resulted in success for the next
mission of the army forces
sadly just three months later he was
killed by enemy fire . As we grew up ,
were able to read and learn about our
father through conversations with
relatives and reading newspaper
articles . We realized how heroic his
actions were . When we learned that he
was recommended for the medal of honor ,
we're all well aware that this was the
highest honor the country could bestow
on a serviceman . My youngest brother
john helped add to that perspective .
He followed in our dad's footsteps as
an american soldier and we were very
proud john accepted the medal of honor
from president joe biden yesterday on
behalf of the conditional family jOHn
joined ROTC during high school and
joined the US army . Upon graduating ,
he continued his service as an army
reservist and completed two deployments
to the Middle East during Operation
Iraqi freedom . He carried on the
legacy of army service from what we
remember from our childhood we call our
dad being a very quiet and humble man .
We believe he would not want attention
directed at him because we presume he
thought all he did on the battlefield
was his duty . We believe our dad would
be , would have been honored to receive
the Medal of honor but would not want
all of us . This week has shed new
light above his bravery though my
mother never spoke of the war , my
father's military service , she too
would have been so proud . Our mother
passed away this year on April 10 at
the age of 90 and will rest in peace
with our dad at the Punchbowl National
Cemetery of the pacific in his home
state of Hawaii on july 22nd , which
happens to be his birthday . Our family
is extremely honored and overwhelming
gratitude that our father's heroic
actions to save his fellow soldiers and
his duty to country has finally been
recognized with this very prestigious
award of the medal of Honor and to be
inducted into the pentagon's Hall of
Heroes for future generations . My
niece Ashley has a few words to tell
her grandpa .
If my grandfather were here today , I
would tell him I'm so proud to be your
granddaughter . I'm proud of your
service and your bravery . I gave my
son a middle name . Nobody in your
honor . His name is Sebastian Noboru
Axon . And we will teach him our family
traits you took into battles , duty ,
honor and pride . And I will be so
proud if my child decides to join the
army . I'm so proud that you and uncle
john were soldiers and I am proud of
the american soldier and to all the
soldiers who served with my grandpa .
Thank you And for all those who served
and are still serving . Thank you . Our
family is grateful and extremely proud
that my grandfather , Staff Sergeant
Edward zero is being inducted into the
Hall of Heroes . Thank you . Okay ,
right ,
thank you . Miss Ashley accentuated And
Miss Naomi Valeria . Ladies
and Gentlemen Specialist five Birdwell .
This may be a bit painful for me and if
I don't keep it short it's gonna be
painful for you .
But I want to thank my creator . I want
to thank President biden , the United
States Army General Otis who was my
commander that day and never stop
supporting this effort which resulted
in the Medal of honor . Also thanks to
my family and the Cherokee notion
and for the man who were there and a
man who didn't make it this award is
for you and by this award , the world
will now know that we accomplished
something very important that day . We
saved Thompson air base from the enemy .
Thank you .
Mhm
Thank you specialist five birdwell
Ladies and gentlemen , Major Duffy .
I prepared a poem as I am a poet
and I want to tell my view of the
story Which was more than two days
we were up Panchali For almost two
weeks . It's my retrospective on
charlie . I thought I would escape
staff duty in Saigon . I
volunteer for advisor duty with the
Vietnamese Airborne . My associates
described me as foolish with the
war winding down . Why get killed
on why got killed As we are pulling out
the Vietnamese can handle it . I
disregard all their well intentioned
advice as I am a soldier
and I have no desire to fight in a war
zone . From behind the desk I
put on my camouflage fatigues and my
cocky red beret . Not too bad
if I say so myself . Now I am
outfitted to join my paratroopers .
I fight on New Ibadan or
translated Black Virgin Mountain .
I fight , entertain and forest too
many tunnels there . Next I fight
on Rocket Ridge in a place called
charlie . My team of four is
short men . I am a team of one .
I air assault in with 470 paratroopers
and come out with 37 .
We are surrounded by a division anti
aircraft guns ring charlie . The
landing zone is untenable With 10
anti aircraft guns above us
helicopters resupply is
precluded as the N . V . A controlled
the airspace above us . N . V . A
artillery fire blows up my bunker ,
what may still in it . I crawl out over
the dead bodies , my head ringing from
a concussion . My counterpart , the
battalion commander is killed . The
Excel majorly may assumes command of
the battalion . N . V . A . Artillery
fire blows up Start again with
eight n . v . a battalions task to take
Charlie , bass . Most on charlie are
wounded or killed in the battle .
Medical evacuation is not possible
for the wounded , our orders
or fight to the death .
two weeks the paratroopers fight even
without ammunition , they fight with
their bayonets and entrenching tools
until it is get out or get killed in
the next attack skedaddle . We choose
li mei and myself becoming the rear God !
One battalion of NVA attacked on our
western trench line . I request the
gunship stopped them as we are short on
ammo flying low machine guns and
grenades expanding rockets blasting
the cobra's stopped the N . B . A .
Leaving them dead and dying ordinance
expanded and low on fuel . The Cobra's
depart li mei and I hunker down
maintaining a low profile to N . V . A
battalions come out of the jungle in a
follow up attack . We had
withdrawn . They take our western
trench line . They are befuddled as
their first attack had failed . They
search for paratroopers , but none are
there . They organized search party to
sweep charlie . They send a company to
search east , moving towards us , they
spot us may leave fires at them . They
take cover a little more cautious now
they know where we are . The N . V . A
soon opened up upon us . Malay is hit
and down . He's back up again , firing
at them . No way he can stop them . I'm
on the radio . The cobra's are coming
back , coming in above us . Get down ,
get down ! The choppers are incoming
with guns blazing . The cobras are
firing hot shells casing dropping down
upon us . The N . V . A sweep force is
bloody smashed and broken , wounded but
still alive . We get up and run away
from debt . On the run . I contact the
forward air controller in the sky
Request be 50 to talk like target to
envy a battalions in the open on
Charlie , we soon link up with our
withdrawing paratroopers . The fact
advises the B 50
arclight is diverted one minute until
bomb release , I roger the fact and
tell everyone to get down and defile .
It bombs released 90 seconds until
impact . Get down . We hold onto our
steel pots mouths open . We hugged the
earth . The whistling bombs of debt are
heard by all charlie explodes in fiery
flashes blasting and killing to ground
tremors , leaves and the breeze fall
down . No one could survive . Black
smoke bellows high into the sky .
The victorious NVA battalions on
charlie are destroyed . two weeks in
battle have ravaged their formations .
Thus this final victory will be a
difficult one to celebrate as Black
Smoke arises from their envy a funeral
prior we are
recovering from the shock and the blast
mainly is coughing up blood as the doc
works on him . He tells me take command
of the battalion . You saved the men .
I am now the commander . I order a
night march . True to pitch black
jungle . My paratroopers follow me . No
one can see in the dark . The night
explodes with bright flashes , art
irian packs , it is friendly fire ,
some fool's error . I checked fire . We
lose three killed and seven wounded . I
am furious . The night march continues
until dawn arrives . We stopped now out
of the jungle by the poco river . Maley
bandit is fit to command . I brief him .
No helicopters are available . Brigade
orders us to walk out . The orders are
given and we make ready to march ,
incoming , incoming the blast rockets ,
impacting mortar rounds drop amongst us .
The wounded cry out the N . V . A
spring an ambush . Troop is panic and
scatter . I reach for my radio . It is
hit by a bullet and destroyed . The
command group is intact plus 30 men . I
grabbed my car . 15 I it . Follow
me mainly gathers to command group and
as many as he can mai lee covers me . I
move rapidly away from the kill zone ,
one kilometer , one kilometer distance .
I find a clearing in the landing zone .
Maley sets up the perimeter and
redistributes ammunition . Um um nice
small survival radio trying to raise a
forward air controller Covey 55 comes
in . I request a four ship lift package
for our group of 37 . Some wounded
covey will try to rustle up an
extraction package the N . V . A .
Follow outbreak out trail through the
jungle . We see them approaching in a
stream bed . I request immediate a one
d . och cobra gunship support . We
hunkered down with two little animal to
engage a pair of sandy A one ease come
up on my radio . I target the enemy
unit that is of tracking us .
I request that the Sandy's destroyed
the N . V . A . in two passes , guns
and bombs eliminate the threat more N .
V . A . Keep popping up in different
locations . I direct fire Two more
flights of a . one ease onto the enemy .
Waiting for our lift package . I
engaged engaged with cobras . The N . V .
A . Are setting up on the jungle's edge .
Also waiting Huey lead comes up on
my radio . Dusty cyanide . We are
directed to have you depart on the
first ship . I advise . I will be on
the last Ship . Last man out on number
four Roger dusty . We
will be on . You will be on the last
ship about acknowledged . 37 are formed
into four sticks . The first lift is
is in wounded loaded troop is boarding
lifting off an N . V . A . Machine
gunner opens up on them . The
cobra's with the lift package attack
and destroy the gun Lift two comes in
the paratroopers scramble aboard . He
is out lift tree in and out without
taking fire . We have the last five
lift four approaches he is taking fire ,
he aborts and approaches from a new
direction he comes in low touchdown ,
we scramble onto the aircraft . I'm
detail gunner , I ride the strut and
signal thumbs up , ping , ping , ping ,
ping . The chopper is riddled by
gunfire . Captain High hit in the leg ,
falls out of the helicopter on the
strut , I grab his webbing and fling
him back inside , mainly helps me pull
him in and starts treating his wound .
The crew chief is shot out twisting in
the wind . His ted are holding him in
trail behind the aircraft . I pull him
inside and find the entry wound in his
chest . I quick patches wound and I
look for the exit wound . It is big and
it is bubbling , I start to treat him .
The bubble stopped , mount to mount
does not help to revive him . He is K .
I . A . The helicopter flies to the
medical station we touched
down , drop off our wounded and dead .
We fly back to brigade headquarters to
report , they are amazed that we are
still alive and did that
retrospective from my
viewpoint and I will conclude with a
much shorter thought on this and it's
called victory or debt knowledge
victor in latin . The
battle for firebase charlie was
consuming it , killed those who tried
to take the base battalions of N . V .
A . Vanished in a milestone . The
paratroop is holding charlie suffered
horrifically . It was a brutal
battle . No quarter asked none given
you killed the enemy or the enemy
killed you . It was simple formula and
it cost lives . Both sides offered up
valor and courage . But in
reality it was a fight for survival .
We all wanted to live to see our
families again in war .
There is only one winner and one loser ,
No 1 1 on Charlie . Each
side managed to lose . This
is the limit in a battle of fight to
the debt . When each side forges ahead
without regard to losses . The
butcher's Bill is atrociously high and
sobering . Each side
weeps for its losses and mourns
the fallen . Thank you .
Thank you . Major Duffy . Ladies and
gentlemen , Mr Locke ,
good morning to our distinguished
guests and especially the Colonel ralph
pockets fill a medal of honor
recipients and their families . He is
honored to be considered one of you .
While Colonel Puckett is unable to
attend today . Both he and his wife
Jeannie are here in spirit in their
stead . I am privileged to have been
asked to speak on his behalf as our
honored representatives . They
requested just one thing of me , fewer
words have more impact Given that
commanders guidance , I've opted for
what I'll call contingency plan three B
Be specific , be brief and be gone
somewhat easier said than done as I'm
sure you'll soon appreciate . Col
Puckett graduated from the United
States Military Academy in 1949 as an
infantry officer with the outbreak of
war in Korea the following year , he
immediately volunteered to serve in the
first major conflict of the Cold War .
Recognized for his character . Delete
and passion to serve . Lieutenant
bucket was selected to organize , train
and command the newly created Eighth
Army ranger company . Within six weeks ,
this elite ranger company was riding
into combat on the decks of Sherman
tanks as part of the 25th Infantry
Division Spearhead into North Korea And
advance , which eventually brought the
Rangers to a Barren Ridge Line 60 miles
from the Chinese border . Colonel
Puckett's actions that night of 24 25
november 1950 during the Battle of Hill
205 are highlighted and documented in
his Medal of Honor citation and thus
need not to be recounted here . However ,
for those who know Colonel Pocket ,
There's nothing about his courage on
Hill 205 . That surprises us . His
actions were simply as one ranger
succinctly put it Ralph being Ralph
while Colonel bucket suffered grievous
wounds , wounds during that fight for
the Hill 205 and endured long recovery .
The battle line proved to be the start
of an exceptional career . As President
Biden remarked during the May 2021
medal of honour ceremony , quote . Now
I'd be remiss if I didn't note that
ralph Puckett serviced or nation did
not end in the korean war . It did not
end after a service in the Vietnam War .
It did not end after his retirement
from active duty unquote . During
Vietnam Colonel bucket would once again
volunteer in 1967 for a tour combat
battalion commander in the 101st
Airborne Division where he earned the
moniker the ranger . It was a
description exemplified on many an
occasion , such as during one dire
night long firefight when a hard
pressed infantry platoon leader
preparing for a defensive last stand
recalled the effect his battle recalled
the effect on his battle exhausted men
quote , word of Colonel Puckett's
arrival spread like wildfire . We all
stiffened up and felt that nothing bad
could happen now because the ranger was
with us , unquote sharing the danger
and hardships with his men , epitomizes
ralph Puckett's warrior ethos of combat
leadership . All told by the time the
ranger retired 1971 after 22 years of
active duty service , His ribbon rack
would reflect among other awards , the
Medal of honor , the Distinguished
Service Cross , two silver stars ,
three legions of merit , two bronze
stars with v device for valor , five
purple hearts and 10 air medals . In
addition , as a combat infantryman's
badge with star Special Forces tab .
The ranger tab master , parachutist
wings and Colombian Ranchero ranger
badge though he himself would never say
so . The case we made that he is the
most decorated soldier for valor in US
army history , Retirement from active
duty did not signal an end to service
though . For the next 20 years , the
Ranger continued focus on the
leadership and teamwork , development
of youth until 1990 , when the puck ,
it's returned home to Columbus Fort
Benning Georgia . There , the colonel
became a prominent speaker and
instructor regarding all topics ,
infantry and leadership related In 1992
is an inaugural inductee into the US
Army Ranger Hall of Fame . From 1996 to
2008 . He served as the honorary
colonel the same fifth ranger Regiment .
An unprecedented and unequaled 12 year
period under seven consecutive
regimental commanding officers , a
period of time that included trips to
both Iraq and Afghanistan . Whereas
rangers helped him celebrate his 80th
birthday , Continued to file the
criminal to include selection as the
2004 distinguished graduate of West
Point . And in 2007 , recipient of the
Infantry's Doughboy Award . Such honors
though we're only a byproduct of
leadership philosophy that also
embraced social change within the army
as a leader . Colonel Puckett was all
inclusive . The president Truman had
only recently desegregated the army in
1948 . Lieutenant Puckett selected to
african americans who served with the
eighth Army ranger Company in 1950 to
quote the colonel later , we were all
americans are blood was the same color
red Later in 2015 , when women were
authorized to attend the US Army Ranger
School . Colonel Puckett was one of the
first to proclaim if they meet the
standards . They are rangers for
decades . Colonel Puckett has mentored
and counseled soldiers at all levels
levels from senior officers and
noncommissioned officers to junior
enlisted general . Sam McChrystal
captured the essence of this by stating ,
quote , if we measure ralph Puckett's
accomplishments and we only include the
medal of honor , we are almost missing
the point . Ralph Puckett's awards are
thousands of young rangers , many of
whom were still fairly young that he's
touched by his example and his actions .
That's the real monument to him .
Unquote . While I have my own personal
Colonel Puckett stories over 30 years
when I reflect on who the criminal is
and what he represents . It is not at
the White House ceremony with the
President of United States placing the
medal of honor around his neck or the
dozens of senior officers and N . C . O .
S whom the colonel so positively
influenced over his decades of service
in and out of uniform . It is not the
overwhelming number of ribbons , badges
and patches on his uniform or the
awards and accolades conveyed to him by
others in reality is a singular picture
taking the day prior to the White House
ceremony at a private lunch held in the
colonel's honor at the pentagon though .
Being honored by the secretary Chief of
Staff Sergeant , Major of the army .
What did this picture captured ? It
captured the then 94 year old colonel
in the corner of the room . Speaking
one on one with a young waiter . Those
of us who know the colonel well know
that given the choice between a general
or a private talk to to mentor , the
ranger will always seek out the private
first . The colonel's philosophy of
leadership . His moral compass is
predicated on a cadet prayer that West
Point graduates . A spouse less a
religious invocation and moral code to
live by both professionally and
personally . And extract reads . Make
us to choose the harder right instead
of the easier wrong and never to be
content with a half truth when the
whole can be one . In the end , it was
never about medals , awards , praise or
recognition . It was not about rank ,
position or prestige it was and it
always is about the harder right
instead of the easier wrong about his
rangers and his soldiers . Colonel
Ralph Puckett does not set the example .
He lives the example . He is a legacy
that may be equaled by few but
surpassed by none on behalf of Colonel
Puckett , his family and his Eighth
Army ranger company comrades in arms .
Thank you for your time . Stay safe ,
rangers lead the way . Right .
Yeah ,
Thank you mr Locke . Ladies and
gentlemen , Sergeant Major pain
to the President of the United States
of America . The Department of Defense
changing the man and my fellow
americans . Thank you . This is truly
an honor . The hostage rescue raid on
october 22nd 2015 highlights our
country's undying commitment to life ,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness .
Many of the United States Special
Operations Command risked their lives
and Master Sergeant Joshua wheeler gave
his life in order to liberate the press
so that the liberated now have the
second chance of life and the pursuit
of happiness anytime our boots hit the
ground , we're ambassadors of american
way of life . As soon as we infield
behind enemy lines on the hostage
rescue , we were an intense firefight .
Our current partners were engaged in
perfect interlocking sectors of fire .
Master Sergeant wheeler knew it had to
be done and he did not hesitate . He
looked back at Miller . Assaulter gave
the command on me on me as a command
that fearless leaders give to lead ,
motivate and inspire . On the field of
battle . Josh gave the Cuban on me and
those were his last words as he led the
way running toward the sound of guns ,
josh's actions set the standard that
was our duty to liberate the oppressed
and complete the mission . All the
assaulters held down the breach point
all the way down to the last magazine .
My bullets are ripping through their
uniform , a witness of Salter's
fearlessly fight on the rooftop of a
burning building while engaging ISIS
combatants as the enemy initiated
multiple suicide vest underneath our
feet . All the assaulters began
breaching the prison windows . While
sustained rate of any machine gun fire
poured out of the burning building my
teammates , the heroes of the hostage
rescues actions are the epitome of
selfless service . Their legacy along
with the legacy of the 9 11 generation
will live on with this Medal of honor
in the spirit of the mill of honor .
Lives inside every great american to
the next generation of great american
warriors . Keep your aim true , stay
vigilant and be prepared to push our
army to new limits . We look for the
grace in the field of battle and
destroying the enemy with you . Thank
you . I look forward to serving our
great country as the Medal of Honor
Guardian rangers lead the way and from
the words of master sergeant josh
wheeler on me .
Okay ,
thank you Sergeant , Major pain Ladies
and gentlemen , please stand and join
in the singing of the army song . The
words to the army song can be found in
your program .
March along . Sing a
song with the army of
the free Count . The
brave Count . The truth who
had fought to victory .
We're the army and proud of our
name . We're the army and proudly
proclaim first to fight for the right
and to build the nation's might and the
army goes rolling along , proud
of all we have done fighting till the
battle's won and the army goes rolling
along . Then it's hi hi
hey , the army is on its way . Count
off the cane and sound and strong for
where we go . You will always know
that the Army goes rolling
along ,
right ? This concludes the Medal of
Honor induction ceremony . Thank you
for attending .