President Biden recently awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, to seven U.S. Army veterans for their heroism during the Korean and Vietnam Wars at the White House. The honorees included Private Bruno Orig, Private First Class Wataru Nakamura, Corporal Fred McGee, Private First Class Charles Johnson, retired General Richard Cavazos, Captain Hugh Nelson, Jr., and Specialist Fourth Class Kenneth David. During the ceremony, Biden praised these heroes for going above and beyond the call of duty, stating that they all deserved the nation’s highest military recognition.
Captain Hugh Nelson Jr., one of the recipients, was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War under the 114th aviation company Air Mobile Light. On June 5th, 1966, near Moc Hoa, Southern Vietnam, his aircraft was struck by hostile gunfire, making it virtually uncontrollable. Despite the crash landing right in enemy positions, Captain Nelson heroically evacuated his wounded crewmates, using his body as a shield to protect them from enemy fire. Unfortunately, Nelson was shot between six and 20 times during this rescue, sacrificing his life to save his fellow crew members. His actions prevented insurgents from advancing on the downed aircraft, allowing the wounded to be rescued safely.
Nelson’s daughter, Debra McKnight, accepted the Medal of Honor on behalf of her father during the ceremony. Nelson had left for Fort Bragg to start his tour in Vietnam when his daughter was just 5 years old and his son, Hugh Nelson III, was 6 months old. Tragically, the Army notified Nelson’s family of his death in battle just one day before his infant son’s first birthday. According to his Medal of Honor citation, Nelson’s decision to sacrifice his own life saved the lives of his crew members, embodying the highest traditions of military service and reflecting great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
In attendance at the ceremony was Tomas Fitzpatrick, the top Army ROTC Cadet at The Citadel Military College. Fitzpatrick, who plans to enlist in the U.S. Army after graduation, highlighted the bravery and commitment shown by Captain Nelson as a powerful reminder of the values taught at The Citadel, including honor, duty, and respect. The Citadel President Gen. Glenn Walters also commended Nelson’s service and leadership as an enduring inspiration for all cadets. With many recent graduates commissioning as Army lieutenants, The Citadel’s Army ROTC department is one of the largest commissioning sources in the country.
During the ceremony, President Biden emphasized the importance of continuing to honor and remember the sacrifices of heroes like Captain Nelson. He stressed the need for the nation to give meaning to the Medal of Honor by fighting for one another, defending the values these heroes fought for, and upholding the ideals of courage, selflessness, and leadership. Biden recognized the bravery and sacrifices of all the honored veterans, stating that it is essential for the nation to keep fighting for each other and defending the principles that these heroes lived and died for.
