On February 15, 1951, Army Pvt. Bruno R. Orig displayed extraordinary valor during the Battle of Chipyong-ni in the Korean War. While returning from a mission, Orig found his comrades under enemy attack. Without hesitation, he administered first aid to the wounded and moved them to safety. Taking over a machine gun post, he provided cover fire, allowing a platoon to retreat without casualties. When the ground was later retaken, Orig was discovered dead at his post, surrounded by enemy soldiers he had neutralized in a heroic last stand.
Orig is one of seven individuals being honored with the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden at a White House ceremony. The recognition includes six posthumous awards and one to a living recipient, acknowledging acts of unparalleled courage in the line of duty.
Among the other honorees is Army Pfc. Wataru Nakamura, who, during the Korean War, eliminated an enemy machine gun nest and reclaimed bunkers despite exhausting his ammunition. Nakamura continued his assault until he was killed by an enemy grenade.
Army Cpl. Fred B. McGee demonstrated exceptional leadership on June 16, 1952, near Tang-Wan-Ni, Korea, taking command of his squad and neutralizing an enemy machine gun. He ensured the evacuation of his squad before rescuing wounded comrades. McGee passed away in 2020.
Army Pfc. Charles R. Johnson of Millbrook, New York, gave his life on June 12, 1953, while holding off Chinese forces, saving up to 10 of his fellow soldiers during the Korean War.
Army 1st Lt. Richard E. Cavazos stayed behind during multiple raids in the Sagimak area to evacuate wounded soldiers. Cavazos later became a four-star general and was the namesake for Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, in 2023. He passed away in 2018 at age 88.
Army Capt. Hugh R. Nelson Jr. sacrificed his life on June 5, 1966, during the Vietnam War by shielding a fellow soldier from enemy fire while rescuing two men from a crashed helicopter.
Living honoree Army Pfc. Kenneth J. David of Ohio distinguished himself in Vietnam on May 7, 1970, drawing enemy fire away from injured comrades and Medevac helicopters, despite sustaining severe wounds.
President Biden is also awarding the Medal of Valor to eight first responders, including law enforcement officers who courageously acted during the tragic March 27, 2023, shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.
Nashville Police Department’s Sgt. Jeffrey Mathes, Officer Rex Engelbert, and Detectives Michael Collazo, Ryan Cagle, and Zachary Plese risked their lives to neutralize the shooter and ensure student safety.
In another heroic act, Sgt. Tu Tran of the Lincoln, Nebraska, Police Department swam 30 feet into an icy pond on February 22, 2023, to save a woman trapped in a sinking vehicle.
These remarkable stories reflect the highest ideals of service, sacrifice, and bravery, honoring individuals who placed the lives of others above their own.
