Washington— President Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to four U.S. Army soldiers who endured a tenacious battle in the Vietnam War on Tuesday. Ceremony at the White House.
The recipient was a staff sergeant. Edward Kinjo, Spc. Dwightbirdwell, Spc. Dennis Fujii and Major John J. Duffy. The Kinjo medal was awarded after his death, when his son accepted it on his behalf.
"They were in the way of danger," the president said. "Everything literally put everything at risk in order to protect our country and our values, but not all military personnel have received the full recognition they deserve. Today, we Is setting a record. We are upgrading the awards of the four soldiers who performed the act of incredible heroism during the Vietnam War. "
Men previously others Received medals, but the president upgraded them to honorary medals. This is the best decoration in the country for military service. Mr Biden told the story of each soldier who served bravely.
Fujii was on a Medebuck helicopter that crashed in 1971. Although he was injured, he refused medical assistance from another helicopter and worked on treating allied soldiers until the next day. He was at risk of calling a US helicopter gunship to repel the attack over the next 17 hours until he was able to airlift safely.
"Rather than endangering the lives of his crew, specialist Fujii told them to shake off the helicopter and leave as the only American on the battlefield." The president said about one of the attempts to save Mr. Fujii's live.
Kaneshiro led an infantry unit when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese fighter in 1966. He managed to repel the attack with a rifle fire and grenade and safely pull back the rest of the unit. He was shot dead during the battle four months later.
Birdwell was in a tank force when the air force base was attacked in 1968. He rescued the injured tank commander and fired a tank cannon at the enemy army. Birdwell eventually injured his face and torso, but refused his treatment until he was able to evacuate other injured soldiers.
He was injured in the battle of Duffy in 1972, but refused to evacuate and instead approached the enemy's position and bombed. I called. He was injured again, but still refused treatment. When his position was attacked in the next two days, Duffy moved the injured to a shelter and helped fire at more enemy positions. He boarded the helicopter only after all other evacuees had boarded.
"When he was injured again, he refused to evacuate again," the president said of Duffy. "He worked side by side with the Vietnamese commander to organize the defense of the base."
Biden admitted the same commander in the White House audience on Tuesday. ..
Since his inauguration, the President has awarded the Medal of Honor to eight military personnel, including four who were recognized on Tuesday. The ceremony took place a few days after the death of Hershel "Woody" Williams, the last surviving recipient of World War II service. .. Williams lied in honor of the US Capitol this week.
