Honoring Valor: Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III’s Powerful Address at the Medal of Honor Induction Ceremony

Good morning to all. Welcome!

It’s wonderful to commence the New Year with each of you in such a significant manner.

Secretary Wormuth, General George: Thank you for your exceptional leadership in the United States Army. I proudly dedicated more than half of my life to serving in the Army, which is why this military branch holds a special significance for me. Both of you have steered the Army with integrity and foresight. I also wish to express my gratitude for your heartfelt tributes to the seven American heroes we celebrate today.

I’m delighted to see numerous distinguished leaders from the Department of Defense and the Army in attendance today.

Primarily, I wish to extend my gratitude to our esteemed guests. It was an honor to meet Kenneth David at the White House yesterday when President Biden awarded him with our nation’s highest medal for bravery. We are privileged by your presence, sir.

[Applause]

To your family and the families of all our inductees into the Hall of Heroes: thank you for making this important journey for today’s event.

Alongside your fellow veterans—many of whom are present here today—you have tirelessly dedicated yourselves for years to ensuring the light of our appreciation shines brightly on the extraordinary sacrifices of these heroes. Thank you for preserving their legacy.

It truly is moving to listen to the stories of bravery and sacrifice from these seven individuals. The Soldiers we honor today hail from varied backgrounds, different communities, and diverse regions of our nation.

Some of their families have long-established roots in America. Some were children of immigrants, while others descended from slaves.

Several of these heroes held officer ranks in the Army, while others served as enlisted soldiers.

Yet, when confronted with peril in combat, each of these men made a unified choice: to prioritize the mission, to never give up, to resist defeat, and to never abandon a comrade in need.

Let’s begin with Private Bruno Orig.

His parents emigrated from the Philippines to Hawaii. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, both his father and stepfather served in the Army of their adopted nation. Bruno’s opportunity arose during the Korean War.

On a bitter winter day in 1951, he joined the fight at the siege of Chipyong-ni. He seized an enemy machine gun and unleashed a fierce counterattack that allowed an entire platoon of his comrades to retreat—without suffering any casualties.

Private First Class Wataru Nakamura, also a son of immigrants from California, served in World War II within the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of second-generation Japanese Nisei soldiers. Today, he joins no fewer than 21 courageous comrades from the 442nd who similarly received the Medal of Honor.

During the Battle of the Soyang River in May of 1951, Chinese forces sought to sever six South Korean divisions from the remainder of the U.S. Eighth Army. One misty morning amid that offensive, Wataru found himself encircled by enemy fighters. He launched phosphorus and fragmentation grenades, charging with his carbine and bayonet. He singlehandedly dislodged the enemy from bunkers, driving them into the line of fire from his company’s 57-millimeter recoilless rifle.

 

We also commend Corporal Fred McGee of Ohio today.

In June of 1952, when Corporal McGee’s squad leader was injured during intense combat, the second-in-command hesitated, and Fred took control. He provided critical cover fire for the rest of his platoon as they fought to flush out entrenched enemies, and despite his own injuries, he tended to wounded comrades amid heavy artillery fire.

Surprisingly, Fred’s valor that day was illustrated and captured in a comic book. However, despite being Black, his character in the comic was depicted as white, which caused Fred great disappointment and anger.

“I felt like someone else was receiving accolades for my actions,” he later expressed.

But as a Medal of Honor recipient, Fred McGee will eternally be recognized for who he was—and for what he accomplished.

In May of 1953, Private First Class Charles Johnson was ecstatic to be in the same unit as Don Dingee, a high-school friend from his hometown in upstate New York. Little did they know that a few weeks later, Charlie would save Don’s life—and those of nine other friends.

Charlie sacrificed his life during the assault on the Korean hilltop named Outpost Harry. As Chinese troops advanced towards their battered bunker, Charlie discovered Don among the smoke and debris. He covered Don’s mouth and whispered, “Play dead. They’re outside, and they are coming in.” They remained completely still—both seriously injured, yet daring not to exhale.

Eventually, the enemy passed. Charlie used his own belt to pull Don to safety in a more secure bunker before rushing back to confront the enemy while Don and the others were evacuated.

The last words Don heard from Charlie were, “I’ve got to protect y’all.”

Richard Cavazos was born into a Mexican-American ranching family in Texas and was a gifted college football player—until he sustained a leg injury during his sophomore year. Then ROTC diverted him from the football field to the battleground.

As a Lieutenant, Dick Cavazos was assigned to the all-Latino 65th Infantry Regiment and sent to Korea. He also fought in the Battle of Outpost Harry, leading his company in a series of aggressive assaults on enemy positions. After the order to withdraw was given, he chose to remain in the combat area to assist in evacuating others.

General Cavazos exhibited that same steadfast loyalty to his troops throughout his lengthy Army career. As Lieutenant General Dan Bolger noted, Dick Cavazos was the embodiment of “Army done right.” I am immensely proud that this American hero’s name now honors Fort Cavazos in Texas.

Captain Hugh Nelson hailed from North Carolina, where he learned about honor and duty at the Citadel. He exemplified both fully in June of 1966 in Vietnam.

What began as a routine reconnaissance and training flight took a dangerous turn when Hugh’s helicopter came under enemy fire. A 50-caliber round struck the Huey, causing it to crash hard.

Hugh, as you’ve heard, managed to rescue all of his teammates from the helicopter, with the enemy merely 10 yards away. He positioned himself between the young door gunner and the incoming enemy fire.

The young door gunner remembers Hugh saying, “Don’t move, son—you’ll be OK.”

Now we turn to Ken David. One early morning in May 1970, his firebase on a hill in Vietnam unexpectedly came under attack. Ken sprang into action.

Displaying total selflessness, he drew enemy fire onto himself to shield his wounded comrades. He declined medical attention for his own injuries and was the last Soldier to board the final helicopter out.

And as you’ve heard, Ken has consistently prioritized his comrades since returning home to Ohio. For decades, he has volunteered to provide…

for his compatriots. 

So on behalf of everyone present here: thank you once more, Ken. 

Let’s give Ken—and all of our champions—a round of applause.

[Applause]

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to emphasize the last remarks made by Charlie Johnson before he hurried to aid his comrades. He declared, “I’ve got to protect you all.” 

Thus, the inquiry for us today is: what shall we safeguard? 

These champions risked everything for their nation—and frequently made the ultimate sacrifice. Their narratives ought to be more than just a point of pride. They should serve as a source of motivation. And they must act as a catalyst for action. 

You see, today’s event brings to mind a fundamental truth about America. We do not always get things right. No nation does. However, in America, we continuously strive to reach our full potential, to uphold our founding principles, and to create that “more perfect union.”

The acknowledgment we grant to these heroes today is long overdue. 

But we have arrived at this moment. And we reached it thanks to the families and advocates who relentlessly pushed, year after year. 

It is thanks to the comrades-in-arms, the witnesses of history, who corresponded with their commanding officers—sometimes from their hospital beds just days post-battle. It’s thanks to the families who maintained their faith for their loved ones. It’s thanks to the civic organizations, the journalists, the alumni groups, the congressional members, the congressional aides, and most importantly, the veterans. 

All of you have aided us in recognizing the unparalleled courage demonstrated by these men’s actions—and in eternally placing them in their rightful circle of honor.

Therefore, let us do more than commemorate the service and sacrifice of these American champions. Let us endeavor to emulate their example. And let us safeguard and fortify the republic that they cherished so deeply. 

May God bless the individuals who risk so much to protect our nation. May God bless the citizens who keep the memory of their sacrifice alive. And may God continue to bless the United States of America. 

Thank you very much.