President Biden recently awarded seven U.S. Army veterans with the Medal of Honor at the White House for their heroism during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The recipients included Private Bruno Orig, Private First Class Wataru Nakamura, Corporal Fred McGee, Private First Class Charles Johnson, retired General Richard Cavazos, Captain Hugh Nelson, Jr., and Specialist Fourth Class Kenneth David. Biden praised these individuals for going above and beyond the call of duty, noting that they were heroes of different ranks, positions, and generations.
Five of the recipients were killed in battle, including Captain Hugh Nelson Jr., who was the first-ever graduate from The Citadel Military College in South Carolina to receive the Medal of Honor. Nelson served as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War and was praised for his actions on June 5th, 1966, near Moc Hoa, Vietnam. After his aircraft was struck by hostile gunfire, Nelson crash-landed in enemy territory where he ignored his own injuries and enemy fire to evacuate his wounded crew mates. Despite being shot between six and 20 times, Nelson’s sacrifice saved the lives of his fellow crew members and allowed for their successful rescue.
Nelson’s daughter, Debra McKnight, accepted the award on behalf of her father at the White House ceremony. She shared that Nelson made a conscious decision to sacrifice his own life for his comrades, ultimately saving the lives of his crew members. The Medal of Honor citation commended Nelson’s distinctive accomplishments in keeping with the highest traditions of military service. Nelson’s actions were a powerful reminder of the values of honor, duty, and respect that are instilled at The Citadel, where he and his co-captain, Captain Bailey Jones, graduated from.
The sacrifice of Captain Hugh Nelson serves as an inspiration for current Citadel cadets, including Tomas Fitzpatrick, the top Army ROTC Cadet at the Citadel who plans to enlist in the U.S. Army after graduation. Fitzpatrick expressed his admiration for Nelson’s bravery and commitment, stating that the values upheld at The Citadel were exemplified by Nelson. The Citadel’s Army ROTC department is one of the largest commissioning sources in the country, with 120 Army 2nd lieutenants commissioned in 2024 alone.
President Biden emphasized the importance of giving meaning to the Medal of Honor by continuing to fight for one another and defending the values that these heroes fought and died for. He paid tribute to all the recipients, highlighting their sacrifices and service to the nation. Biden encouraged Americans to honor these individuals by upholding the ideals of courage, selflessness, and leadership that they embodied. The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the bravery and dedication shown by these Medal of Honor recipients in the face of adversity and danger on the battlefield.
