Washington, June 19: President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor in the United States, to three retired soldiers for their extraordinary bravery during the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. Retired Marine Major James Capers Jr., retired Army Major Nicholas Dockery, and posthumously honored Marine Colonel John W. Ripley were recognized for their exceptional service.
During a ceremony at the White House, President Trump praised the soldiers as exemplars of courage and sacrifice, embodying the spirit of American forces. He stated, “There is no greater opportunity for me than to serve as the Commander in Chief of American forces. We have a 250-year tradition of the bravest and greatest heroes on Earth. However, only a few have received our highest military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
Capers earned recognition in 1967 for his actions during a four-day reconnaissance mission in Vietnam. According to the White House, then-Second Lieutenant Capers and his team repeatedly engaged with a large enemy force while attempting to locate a North Vietnamese regimental base camp. Despite sustaining serious injuries during an attack, he continued to lead his troops, coordinating supporting fire and directing their extraction.
President Trump recounted how Capers fought on despite being severely wounded. He said, “All of his comrades were injured, but James stood up on one leg and kept moving forward. His one leg could barely support his weight. Even while barely conscious, he called for close air support for a full hour.”
Close air support is a military strategy involving precise attacks by fighter jets and helicopters on enemy positions near friendly ground forces.
The President noted that Capers was originally recommended for the Medal of Honor in 1967, but the award process was halted after his commanding officer passed away before the paperwork was completed. Trump remarked, “James, the country has made you wait a long time. So I say to you, congratulations, you did it.”
Colonel John W. Ripley received the honor posthumously for his actions during a major North Vietnamese attack on April 2, 1972. At that time, Captain Ripley, serving as a senior Marine advisor, repeatedly climbed under a bridge amid heavy enemy fire to place over 500 pounds of explosives, destroying the bridge and halting the advancing enemy forces.
Trump described how Ripley carried explosives for five continuous hours, setting charges and delivering a primer cord to each one. “When John detonated the explosives, the bridge collapsed into the river, killing those who were advancing,” he said.
Dockery was honored for his actions during a Taliban attack in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province in October 2012. The White House stated that he repeatedly faced enemy fire while rescuing injured soldiers, leading counterattacks, and directing air support.
Trump shared how Nicholas Dockery not only saved his injured comrades but also shielded them from enemy attacks. “As mortar fire rained down around him, Nick covered his wounded comrade with his body. Major Dockery, you were the last man to leave the battlefield that day, and you left as a legend and a hero,” the President said.
Concluding the ceremony, President Trump emphasized that the nation owes a debt to those soldiers who risked their lives in battle. He stated, “As we approach the 250th anniversary of our founding, we remember that we owe everything to heroes like those we celebrate today. We thank you, and we will never forget you.”
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who distinguish themselves through “valor and bravery” beyond the call of duty. It is the highest military honor bestowed by the U.S. government.
These honors come at a time when the United States is preparing to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026. Throughout its history, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to service members whose actions in combat exemplify the highest standards of military courage and sacrifice.
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