Trump Awards Medal of Honor to 3 Veterans, June 21

President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three veterans on June 18 at a White House ceremony. Marine Corps Maj. James Capers Jr., 88, Army Maj. Nicholas Dockery, and Marine Corps Col. John W. Ripley (posthumously) received the nation’s highest military decoration for acts of heroism that saved lives and repelled enemy forces. The medals recognize decades of service and sacrifice.

Capers Risked His Life to Save Fellow Marines

Marine Corps Maj. James Capers Jr., 88, was honored for his actions during a 1967 ambush in Vietnam. A mine explosion left Capers with a broken leg and serious wounds to his abdomen. After receiving morphine, Capers took command of the firefight, called in air support to repel the ambush, and loaded all wounded men onto a rescue helicopter before evacuating himself.

Ripley Destroyed Bridge to Stop Enemy Advance

Marine Corps Col. John W. Ripley received the medal posthumously for his 1972 actions in Dong Ha, Vietnam. More than 30,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and 200 tanks approached a crucial bridge. Ripley single-handedly placed 500 pounds of explosives over five hours to destroy the bridge and halt the enemy advance.

Dockery Fought in Afghanistan

Army Maj. Nicholas Dockery received the Medal of Honor for heroic actions in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. The White House awarded the medal on June 18 during the ceremony. Dockery’s specific acts of heroism were recognized for saving lives and repelling enemy forces in the region.

Recognition After Decades of Service

Trump said at the ceremony: “These are great men, great people. We thank you and we will never, ever forget you.” The Medal of Honor is the military’s highest decoration. Capers’ award came after a decades-long upgrade review of his actions as a Second Lieutenant in 1967.

Final Thoughts

Three veterans received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism spanning Vietnam and Afghanistan. Their recognition affirms that military service and sacrifice remain honored at the highest level of government.

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