Korean and Vietnam war soldiers who 'risked everything' inducted into Hall of Heroes
The families of war heroes gathered in Virginia to receive medals on behalf of their relatives – who were then inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes for their acts of service in the Vietnam and Korean wars.
Six soldiers received their awards posthumously – with just one member able to attend the event and receive his decorations in person.
The soldiers also received the Medal of Honour at a ceremony a day earlier at the White House. It is the nation's highest military decoration, for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary acts of valour and heroism in service to the country.
During an off-site ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, US defence secretary Lloyd J Austin said they were a source of inspiration.
"These heroes risked everything for their country and often made the ultimate sacrifice, their stories should be more than just a source of pride, they should be a source of inspiration, and they should be a spur to action," he said.
It sometimes takes decades, or longer, to finally recognise the gallant actions of service members in combat situations and Mr Austin said it took the work of many to bring to light the actions of the seven inducted into the Hall of Heroes.
Private Bruno R Orig
The sister of Private Bruno R Orig received the honour from the Secretary of Defence. Pte Orig had seven siblings, and his sister Loretta, at the age of 91, is the last remaining.
During fierce fighting in the Korean War, the 20-year-old removed his fellow wounded soldiers to a place of safety.
He volunteered to man an unmanned weapon and placed such effective fire on the enemy that a withdrawing friendly platoon was able to move back without a single casualty.
He was later found dead by the weapon and the area in front of his gun was littered with the enemy dead.
Army Captain Hugh R Nelson Jr
Debra Nelson McKnight held the plaque of her father, Medal of Honour recipient Captain Nelson Jr who served as a member of the 114th Aviation Company in 1966 in Vietnam.
He was the acting aircraft commander of a Huey helicopter on a search and destroy reconnaissance mission when it was struck by enemy fire.
After a crash landing, Capt Nelson went to the aid of his comrades and used his own body to protect a trapped gunner from enemy fire. He was hit several times and sacrificed his own life to save his comrade.
Private First Class Charles R Johnson
Juanita Mendez is the sister of Pfc Charles R Johnson – who distinguished himself while serving with Company B, 15th Infantry regiment, 3rd Infantry division.
While defending Outpost Harry against overwhelming odds, he made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of his comrades in the Korean War.
He placed himself between the enemy and injured comrades, which saved at least 10 soldiers, despite being injured himself.
General Richard E Cavazos
Laura Blevins was present on behalf of her father, Gen Cavazos, who was deployed to Korea as a platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment.
When ordered to withdraw his company and regroup his men after an intense mortar and artillery barrage, he remained alone on the battlefield to search for missing men.
He made multiple unassisted trips and saved many wounded. Once it was cleared, he finally allowed his wounds to be tended. He retired as a four-star general after 33 years of service and died in 2017 from Alzheimer's.
Private First Class Kenneth J David
The only living recipient, Pfc David, was sent to the Republic of South Vietnam in January 1970 and was moved to a hospital in Pennsylvania after being wounded in May of the same year.
He served as a radio telephone operator with Company D, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.
During an intense attack, he handed his radio to the platoon sergeant and moved to a position to engage the enemy, protecting the injured and he carried one wounded comrade to a sheltered position.
Since retiring from the army, he's spent decades since the Vietnam War serving military veterans in his community.
Corporal Fred B McGee
Cpl McGee distinguished himself in June 1962 during an assault on enemy-fortified positions.
He delivered a heavy volume of supporting fire from an exposed position, despite intense fire directly on his location.
He then served in the Army Reserve for three years and spent more than 40 years working in the steel industry and in multiple civic organisations.
The US Army veteran died in 2020, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His daughter, Victoria, was there to receive the award.
Private First Class Wataru Nakamura
Serving in Company I, 3rd battalion, 38th Infantry regiment, 2nd Infantry division in Korea, Pfc Nakamura was mortally wounded when engaging a hostile force.
He volunteered to check and repair a damaged communications line, unaware that the enemy had captured and fortified friendly positions.
With a disregard for his own life, he managed a one-man assault before seeking support. Then, backed by rifle fire, he wiped out an enemy position before he was killed.
Defence secretary Mr Austin said: "The recognition that we bestow on these heroes today is long overdue… but we got here, and we got here thanks to the loved ones and the advocates who kept pushing, year after year.
"When each of these men faced terrible danger in battle, every one of them made the same choice: to put the mission first, to never quit, to never accept defeat and to never leave a fallen comrade."
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