Combat medic receives Medal of Honor
WASHINGTON — An Army medic who “ran into danger” to save wounded soldiers during a Vietnam War battle despite his own serious wounds became the first Medal of Honor recipient under President Donald Trump on Monday, 48 years after the selfless acts for which James McCloughan is now nationally recognized.
McCloughan mouthed “thank you” as Trump placed the distinctive blue ribbon holding the medal around the neck of the former Army private first class.
“I know I speak for every person here when I say that we are in awe of your actions and your bravery,” Trump said.
After the ceremony, McCloughan said it was “humbling” to receive the medal. Now 71, he pledged to do his best to represent the men who fought alongside him.
Drafted into the Army, McCloughan was a 23-yearold private first class and medic who in 1969 found himself in the middle of the raging Battle of Nui Yon Hill. McCloughan willingly entered the “kill zone” to rescue injured comrades despite his serious wounds.
In announcing the honor last month, the White House said McCloughan “voluntarily risked his life on nine separate occasions to rescue wounded and disoriented comrades. He suffered wounds from shrapnel and small arms fire on three separate occasions, but refused medical evacuation to stay with his unit.”
“He ran into danger,” Trump said.
McCloughan, who lives in South Haven, Michigan, said last month that the battle was “the worst two days of my life.”
Despite a captain suggesting he leave the battlefield to seek treatment, the combat medic stuck around until the battle ended, coming to the aid of his men and fighting the enemy. In all, the Pentagon credits McCloughan with saving 10 lives.
McCloughan left the Army in 1970 and spent the next several decades teaching psychology and sociology and coaching football, baseball and wrestling at South Haven High School. He retired in 2008.
In 2016, Defense Secretary Ash Carter recommended McCloughan for the Medal of Honor. But since the medal must be awarded within five years of the recipient’s actions, Congress needed to pass a bill waiving the time limit. President Barack Obama signed the measure in late 2016, but he didn’t get the opportunity to recognize McCloughan with the medal before his term ended this year.
“President Donald Trump will be putting that on me for the first time in his experience of doing such a thing,” McCloughan said. “That’s pretty special.”