(TheProudRepublic.com) – In one of the final acts of his tenure, Joe Biden bestowed seven courageous U.S. Army veterans with the Medal of Honor, which represents military service and sacrifice at the highest level.
In a ceremony at the White House’s East Room, Biden awarded seven U.S. Army veterans for their extraordinary acts of valor during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
This event, marking Biden’s final Medal of Honor presentation as commander-in-chief, has drawn the attention of supporters and critics.
Richard Cavazos was posthumously honored among the recipients as the first Hispanic four-star general.
Cavazos’ heroic actions in rescuing endangered soldiers under intense enemy fire during the Korean War earned him this prestigious recognition.
His son, Tommy Cavazos, spoke of Richard’s unwavering faith and love for his country, saying:
“He was a man of deep faith who loved his country, loved his family, loved his soldiers, and it was that love, that selfless love of which there’s no greater love that drove him up the hill that night in 1953 to collect the men of his company and get them to safety.”
The only living recipient at the ceremony was Kenneth J. David, a Vietnam War veteran recognized for his exceptional valor in a significant 1970 conflict.
The other honorees included Corporal Fred B. McGee, Private First Class (PFC) Charles Johnson, Private Bruno R. Orig, Captain Hugh R. Nelson Jr., and PFC Wataru Nakamura, all of whom displayed remarkable bravery in the face of danger.
Critics argued that the timing of this ceremony, coming at the tail end of Biden’s presidency, seems politically motivated.
The renaming of Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos in May 2023, part of an effort to remove Confederate general names from military installations, has also been a point of contention among conservatives who view it as an attack on Southern heritage.
Despite the controversy, the ceremony highlighted the extraordinary sacrifices made by these veterans.
PFC Wataru Nakamura’s story is particularly poignant, as Biden noted:
“After an attack on Pearl Harbor, he was forced to live in an internment camp, like so many other Japanese Americans. But still, he signed up to serve our nation during World War II and the Korean War. During his last mission in May of 1951, single handedly he defended his unit from enemy attack, fighting until a grenade killed him.”
“I’m deeply privileged to honor seven American heroes. That’s not hyperbole. These are genuine, to their core, heroes. Heroes of different ranks, different positions, and even different generations,” Bided stated.
“But heroes who all went above and beyond the call of duty. Heroes who all deserve our nation’s highest and oldest military recognition, the Medal of Honor,” he added.
As Biden’s tenure winds down, the finality of this ceremony, his last act of awarding such high honors, resonated deeply.
“These are my final days as commander-in-chief,” he reflected, acknowledging the gravity and gratitude of serving those who have served America with unparalleled dedication.
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