Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Last Friday, Medal of Honor Recipient Gary Littrell joined an impressive gathering of veterans at Delta Air Lines' Veterans Day event at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Led by Delta TechOps President and E.V.P. John Laughter, the program welcomed visitors of all ages to hear inspiring stories from veterans and enjoy an incredible display of over 45 warbirds from WWII to current day at Delta TechOps Georgia. Also in attendance was Donnie Edwards, founder of the Best Defense Foundation, which partners with Delta to fly World War II veterans back to Normandy for D-Day Commemorations. Edwards has shown steadfast support for the Medal of Honor and its Recipients, furthering the legacy of service and sacrifice. Delta, a proud Mission Partner of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Foundation, has been a longtime financial supporter of our Character Development Program and is the naming sponsor of our Path to Honor program. We are grateful for their dedication to honoring our nation's heroes and inspiring future generations with the values of the Medal of Honor!

On this day in 1950, Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. performed actions above and beyond the call of duty that would ultimately earn him the Medal of Honor during the Korean War, giving his last full measure of devotion to our country. Serving with Company E, Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. was positioned on the front lines of a ridge, guarding his unit from potential enemy advances. Late in the evening, he was the first to detect the approach of a large Chinese Communist force emerging from the brush, less than 100 feet away. Without hesitation, he raised the alarm and immediately engaged the enemy, delivering precise and relentless point-blank fire that momentarily halted their advance. His actions bought his company critical time to consolidate their defenses. Despite being struck by enemy fire and severely wounded, Red Cloud refused to abandon his post. Determined to protect his fellow soldiers, he pulled himself up, wrapped his arm around a tree for support, and continued firing his weapon with deadly accuracy. His unwavering courage and selfless dedication ultimately cost him his life, but his heroic actions prevented the enemy from overrunning his company’s position, allowing them to reorganize and evacuate the wounded. Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. is one of only 32 Native Americans to have received the Medal of Honor, an enduring symbol of the profound contributions of Native Americans to our nation's history. Today, we honor and remember his extraordinary bravery and selfless sacrifice.

On this day in 1950, Lee Phillips performed actions above and beyond the call of duty that would ultimately earn him the Medal of Honor while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Phillips, serving as a squad leader, led his men in an assault on a vital hill position fiercely defended by a numerically superior enemy. This position had already withstood five previous assaults by Marine and allied forces. Despite the daunting odds, Phillips fearlessly took the point position and spearheaded a bayonet charge up the steep and heavily fortified hill. The enemy unleashed a deadly barrage of mortar, small-arms, and machine-gun fire, pinning down his squad. Undeterred, Phillips rallied his men and pushed forward through the bombarded area. As casualties mounted, his squad was reduced to just five Marines. Phillips led this small group to the military crest of the hill, only to face an immediate enemy counterattack by a well-entrenched enemy force. In the face of overwhelming odds, Phillips engaged the enemy with hand grenades and rifle fire, urging his men to follow his lead. Despite the relentless fire and dwindling numbers, Phillips and his remaining comrades stormed forward, overwhelming the enemy forces. With only three men left in his squad, he directed an assault on the last enemy stronghold—a rocky, nearly inaccessible position defended by four enemy soldiers. Using one hand to climb the sheer precipice, he hurled grenades with the other, ultimately eliminating the pocket of resistance. Even as the position was secured, Phillips faced yet another counterattack by an estimated enemy squad. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, he directed his men’s fire and employed his own weapon with devastating accuracy, repelling the numerically superior force and consolidating the captured position. Although he survived this encounter, he would end up giving his last full measure in combat not even a full month later. By supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help preserve the stories of heroes like Phillips, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire future generations!

On this day in 1950, during the Korean War, Archie Van Winkle displayed astonishing bravery and commitment above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Under cover of darkness, a large enemy force broke through the lines, launching a brutal barrage of automatic-weapons and grenade fire. Van Winkle, despite the chaos, immediately rallied the men around him, organizing a counterattack through intense fire to regain control. Wounded alongside those who fought by his side, he pressed on, giving his platoon the opportunity to regroup and gain the upper hand. Realizing that his left-flank squad was separated from the rest, Van Winkle advanced 40 yards through fierce enemy fire to rejoin his troops. Even when struck in the elbow, rendering one arm useless, he refused to back down. A direct hit to his chest from an enemy grenade inflicted severe wounds, but he courageously declined evacuation, continuing to shout orders and offer encouragement to his platoon. Only when unconscious from blood loss and shock was he finally carried from the battlefield. Van Winkle’s exceptional leadership, unwavering valor, and dedication to his mission inspired his fellow Marines to hold their ground, successfully repelling the enemy. His actions on this day stand as a lasting tribute to the Marine Corps and earned him the Medal of Honor. By supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help preserve the stories of heroes like Van Winkle, ensuring that their legacies continue to inspire future generations.

Today, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society proudly celebrates the birthday of one of our nation’s 60 living Medal of Honor recipients, Will Swenson. His story of extraordinary courage and leadership continues to inspire all Americans. In Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on September 8, 2009, Will Swenson’s team came under a ferocious ambush from more than 60 enemy fighters, unleashing rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, and machine-gun fire. Undaunted, Swenson led his Afghan Border Police unit in returning fire while coordinating critical artillery and air support. Surrounded on three sides and faced with relentless enemy pressure, Swenson organized smoke cover for his team’s withdrawal and moved uncovered to render first aid to a fallen comrade, even pausing to shield his team by throwing a grenade toward advancing enemy fighters. Refusing to abandon his team, Swenson repeatedly re-entered the kill zone in an unarmored vehicle to rescue the wounded and search for four missing comrades. Despite intense fire, he ultimately left the vehicle on foot, exposing himself to further danger to recover three fallen Marines and one Navy corpsman. His unwavering bravery and selfless leadership over six grueling hours exemplify the highest traditions of military service. Today, Will Swenson serves as the Vice President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, continuing his mission to honor the values of the Medal and those who have earned it. Please join us in wishing Will Swenson a happy birthday! Share your gratitude for his service below, and know that by supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help preserve the legacy of heroes like Swenson and the fewer than 4,000 Medal of Honor recipients whose stories of valor continue to inspire us all.

Today, we honor U.S. Army Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary courage and sacrifice during the Korean War’s Battle of Unsan on November 1–2, 1950. Serving with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, Chaplain Kapaun moved through intense gunfire to provide comfort and aid to the wounded, even rescuing soldiers under relentless enemy fire. When his unit was surrounded, he chose to stay behind with the wounded, facing certain capture. In the early hours of November 2, as hand-to-hand combat ensued, Chaplain Kapaun continued to tend to the injured and, in a remarkable act of compassion, convinced an enemy officer to allow for a peaceful surrender. Later, as a prisoner of war, he endured brutal conditions yet remained a beacon of hope, smuggling food and medicine, leading prayers, and lifting the spirits of his fellow prisoners. Though weakened by illness, he continued his ministry until his death on May 23, 1951. Chaplain Kapaun’s legacy endures as a symbol of courage, faith, and selflessness. By supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help preserve the stories of heroes like Chaplain Kapaun, ensuring that their legacies continue to inspire future generations.

On this day in 1968, during the Vietnam War, Charles Rogers showed unmatched bravery and selfless courage, earning the Medal of Honor for his actions as commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, United States Army Field Artillery, in the defense of a forward fire support base. In the early hours, the base was struck by intense mortar, rocket, and grenade fire, followed by a massive ground assault. As sappers breached the defensive barriers, Rogers moved through heavy fire, rallying his men to hold their positions and directing artillery fire on the advancing enemy. Wounded by an exploding round, he nonetheless led a counterattack, driving the enemy back and reinforcing the defenses. Despite repeated waves of attack, Rogers refused medical aid and continued moving across the front lines, inspiring his men to hold fast. At dawn, as a final assault threatened to overrun the base, Rogers returned to the front, directing fire and reactivating an inoperative howitzer. Though gravely wounded by mortar fragments, he stayed to lead his men in repelling the final attack. Rogers’ unwavering courage turned the tide in a nearly hopeless situation, exemplifying the highest ideals of military service and inspiring his men to victory. By supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help preserve these powerful stories for future generations, honoring the sacrifices made and inspiring leaders to follow in these heroes’ footsteps. Together, we ensure that the legacies of men like Charles Rogers live on as symbols of courage, resilience, and commitment to a cause greater than oneself.

Today, on National Authors Day, we honor the powerful stories that bring the legacy of Medal of Honor Recipients to life. From firsthand accounts to biographies and historical narratives, books about these heroes give us a unique window into their courage, sacrifices, and enduring impact. What Medal of Honor stories have you read that left a lasting impression? Share the titles that inspired you in the comments below!

Today, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society proudly celebrates the birthday of one of our nation’s 60 living Medal of Honor recipients, Sammy Davis. His story of courage and selflessness continues to inspire us all. In the early morning hours during the Vietnam War, Sammy Davis was serving at a remote fire support base when the enemy launched a relentless mortar and ground assault. With a reinforced Viet Cong battalion advancing to within 25 meters, Davis took control of a machine gun, providing essential covering fire for his crew. When an enemy round struck his artillery piece, injuring him and knocking him into a foxhole, Davis persisted, refusing to take cover despite warnings. Repeatedly, he returned to his damaged and burning howitzer, loading and firing under intense enemy fire, knocking himself to the ground each time from the recoil. When he spotted three severely wounded comrades stranded on the opposite bank of a deep river, Davis—despite his injuries and inability to swim—grabbed an air mattress, crossed under fire, and reached the wounded men. In a remarkable act of courage, he held his ground, defending his injured brothers and pulling each to safety, even as the enemy pressed forward. A unique "Medal of Honor in Culture" fact: The Medal of Honor ceremony scene in Forrest Gump actually features the real footage of Sammy Davis receiving the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson. His story of heroism helped bring the fictional narrative to life, adding an authentic tribute to his legacy. Please join us in wishing Mr. Davis a happy birthday and share your gratitude for his heroic service below! By supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help preserve the legacy of heroes like Davis and the fewer than 4,000 Medal of Honor recipients who inspire future generations with their selflessness and valor.

On this day in 1972, U.S. Navy SEAL Michael Thornton demonstrated unparalleled courage and selflessness, actions that would ultimately earn him the Medal of Honor. During a high-risk mission against an enemy-occupied naval river base in Vietnam, Thornton was serving as an assistant Navy adviser on an intelligence-gathering and prisoner capture operation with a small team, including his senior adviser, a U.S. Navy lieutenant. Moving toward their objective, the patrol suddenly encountered intense gunfire from a significantly larger enemy force. Outnumbered and under heavy fire, they called in naval support and engaged in a fierce firefight, ultimately forced to retreat to avoid being surrounded. Amidst the chaos, Thornton realized that his senior adviser had been hit by enemy fire and left behind, presumed dead. Driven by duty and loyalty, Thornton turned back through the hail of bullets to find him. Reaching his adviser’s position, Thornton swiftly took out two enemy soldiers closing in on the injured officer. Disregarding his own safety, he managed to carry the unconscious lieutenant to the shoreline, inflated his lifejacket, and towed him into open water. For over two hours, he battled the waves and kept his wounded comrade afloat until they were finally rescued by support craft. Thornton’s heroism went far beyond the call of duty that day, saving the life of his superior officer and ensuring the safe extraction of every member of his patrol. Today, Thornton stands among only 60 living Medal of Honor recipients, each a guardian of our nation’s legacy of valor. By supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help preserve these incredible stories for future generations, honoring the sacrifices made and inspiring leaders who will follow in these heroes’ footsteps. Together, we ensure that the legacies of men like Michael Thornton live on as symbols of courage, resilience, and a commitment to something greater than oneself.