Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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.

ON THE BLOG: As the #WorldSeries unfolds, we take a moment to honor the Medal of Honor Recipients who have shared a deep love for America’s pastime—baseball. The first official game was played in 1846 in Hoboken, N.J., but was soon catapulted to national prominence during the Civil War, when soldiers from different states would play to pass the time. This laid the foundation for Baseball to be regarded as a unifying American pastime and one beloved by many heroes. Among these remarkable heroes is living Recipient Jay Vargas, who once dreamed of stepping onto the Major League field. His journey, however, took a different turn when he chose to join the Marines as the youngest of four brothers, embracing a call to serve his country. Jay Vargas is not alone in this unique intersection of baseball and heroism. We also remember Jack Lummus, John J. Pinder, and others who both had promising baseball careers before their paths led them to extraordinary acts of valor. These men exemplify the spirit of resilience, dedication, and patriotism that baseball—and our nation—stand for. In our latest blog post, we delve into the inspiring stories of these American heroes who balanced their passion for baseball with an unwavering commitment to serve. Their legacies remind us that while baseball may be America’s game, the true spirit of the game lies in the dedication and sacrifice of those who defend our freedoms. Join us in celebrating these incredible individuals and learn more about how their love for baseball shaped their journeys. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gmuNisin

Veterans Day is more than a holiday; it’s a moment to honor the legacy of all who have served with courage and commitment. From those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to those stand today in protection of our nation’s freedom, we owe them our gratitude. As Veterans Day approaches, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the importance of their sacrifices and celebrating their service. This Veterans Day, reach out, listen to their stories, and help ensure their contributions are never forgotten. Medal of Honor Recipient James “Jim” McCloughan, pictured here, has said: “I realize I did not just save 10 lives that day but 10 family trees.” If you are reading this, you can thank a veteran.

On this day in 1944, Wilburn Ross performed the extraordinary actions during WWII for which he would later receive the Medal of Honor. After his company suffered devastating losses, with only 33 out of 88 men remaining, Ross positioned his machine gun at the front line, determined to hold back the advancing German forces near St. Jacques, France. Over five grueling hours, Ross fought off eight relentless attacks from an elite enemy battalion. Even when most of his comrades ran out of ammunition, he held his position, and as grenadiers crawled within yards of him, Ross continued firing with deadly accuracy. Against overwhelming odds, he killed or wounded at least 58 enemy soldiers, singlehandedly preventing a breakthrough. Ross’s courageous stand not only saved his fellow soldiers from destruction but also kept his post for a total of 36 hours, inspiring all those around him. By supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, you help ensure the legacy of heroes like Wilburn Ross endures, inspiring future generations with their courage and sacrifice. Join us in honoring his service today!