Four of the 60 living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor were presented with their awards by President-Elect Donald Trump during his first term in the White House.
The nation’s highest award for courage and valor in combat, only 3,538 have been awarded in total in the 150 years since its inception. Just under 20% of them were awarded posthumously. Nineteen of those recipients have been awarded twice.
Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 25, 2019, for actions he took on November 4, 2004, that likely saved the lives of others in his unit.
After finding insurgents in a building that they were attempting to clear, Bellavia laid down suppressive fire in order for his men to evacuate safely. Once they were all out, instead of making a quick escape, Bellavia went back into the building to take out the remaining enemy soldiers, stopping only when he was badly wounded.
Trump said during a White House ceremony that Bellavia “exemplifies the same warrior ethos that gave his grandfather and all the heroes of Normandy the strength to defeat evil exactly seventy-five years ago.”
“We don’t want war, but if you want war with the United States of America, there is one thing I can promise you, so help me God: someone else will raise your sons and daughters,” Bellavia said.
Operation Phantom Fury, Fallujah Medal of Honor recipient: SSgt David Bellavia.
‘We don’t want war, but if you want war with the United States of America, there is one thing I can promise you, so help me God: someone else will raise your sons and daughters.’ 🔥🇺🇸🫡 pic.twitter.com/HyRCoDf6ew
— 𝕃𝕚𝕖𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕒𝕟𝕥 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕝 ℙ 🪖 (@TheLtColUSMC) November 7, 2024
Sergeant First Class Thomas P. Payne was awarded his Medal of Honor on September 11, 2020, for his actions during a hostage rescue that took place on October 22 2015. Payne was instrumental in helping to liberate a number of hostages held in two buildings in Kirkuk Province, Iraq. He and the other members of his assault team took heavy fire as they attempted the mission, and one of the buildings was on fire by the time Payne was able to breach the main entrance. Despite the risk, Payne’s actions led to the successful rescue of 75 hostages and 20 enemies killed in action.
On #WarriorWednesday, we recognize MOH recipient, U.S. Army SGM Thomas Payne. During Operation Inherent Resolve, he played an integral role rescuing 70 hostages from a burning building. Thank you, Thomas, for your service. We salute you! pic.twitter.com/Iinvb1bmDd
— GarySiniseFoundation (@GarySiniseFound) July 5, 2023
U.S. Navy Senior Chief Britt Kelly Slabinski, a U.S. Navy SEAL who also participated in the highly publicized rescue of Army PFC Jessica Lynch on April 1, 2003, was awarded his Medal of Honor on May 24, 2018. A member of SEAL Team 4, Slabinski was recognized for his part in a March 4, 2002, daring mountaintop rescue mission at Takur-Ghar.
“Their insertion helicopter was suddenly riddled with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire from previously undetected enemy positions. The crippled helicopter lurched violently and ejected one teammate [Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts] onto the mountain before the pilots were forced to crash land in the valley far below,” Slabinski’s citation reads in part.
Slabinski, along with Air Force Controller John Chapman, charged up the mountain under enemy fire to retrieve Roberts. Chapman was wounded and eventually killed in action, but Slabinski continued the mission in his absence.
“Proximity made air support impossible, and after several teammates became casualties, the situation became untenable. Senior Chief Slabinski maneuvered his team to a more defensible position, directed air strikes in very close proximity to his team’s position, and requested reinforcements,” the citation continued. “As daylight approached, accurate enemy mortar fire forced the team further down the sheer mountainside. Senior Chief Slabinski carried a seriously wounded teammate through deep snow and led a difficult trek across precipitous terrain while calling in fire on the enemy, which was engaging the team from the surrounding ridges. Throughout the next 14 hours, Senior Chief Slabinski stabilized the casualties and continued the fight against the enemy until the hill was secured and his team was extracted.”
Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski, U.S. Navy, Retired, represents the best of America. He risked his life in Afghanistan as he led his team on a rescue mission on a 10,000-foot mountain through arduous conditions. Take a moment to hear his story: pic.twitter.com/E98m7Lsq40
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) May 24, 2018
Sergeant Matthew O. Williams received his Medal of Honor on October 30, 2019, for actions that took place on April 6, 2008.
Williams was part of an assault team sent to engage an enemy on a mountain, but the forward group came under fire and several casualties were sustained. Williams led a team of mostly local fighters across dangerous terrain and under heavy fire in order to relieve those at the front who had been pinned down on the side of the mountain.
“He then assisted with moving the wounded down the near-vertical mountainside to the casualty collection point. Noting that the collection point was about to be overrun by enemy fighters, Sergeant Williams led the Afghan commandos in a counter-attack that lasted for several hours. When helicopters arrived to evacuate the wounded, Sergeant Williams again exposed himself to enemy fire, carrying and loading casualties onto the helicopters while continuing to direct commando firepower to suppress numerous insurgent positions,” his citation read. “His actions enabled the patrol to evacuate wounded and dead comrades without further casualties. Sergeant Williams’ complete disregard for his own safety and his concern for the safety of his teammates ensured the survival of four critically wounded soldiers and prevented the lead element of the assault force from being overrun by the enemy.”
.@realDonaldTrump presents the Medal of Honor to Army Master Sgt. Matthew O. Williams of Texas, a Green Beret. While in Afghanistan, Williams helped rescue several wounded soldiers during a April 2008 battle. pic.twitter.com/u8FNl4sSa7
— Fin Gómez (@finnygo) October 30, 2019
