An Army medic who saved the lives of 10 soldiers during a battle in Vietnam will be the first person awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump. Army spokeswoman Valerie L. Mongello said Tuesday that James McCloughan , a 71-year-old from South Haven, Michigan, will be given the nation's highest military honor for his bravery during the bloody, dayslong Battle of Nui (NOO') Yon Hill in May 1969.
McCloughan repeatedly braved enemy gunfire to rescue his men, despite being pelted with shrapnel from a rocket propelled grenade. Then-Secretary of Defense Ash Carter recommended McCloughan for the Medal of Honor last year, but there was a problem: The medal needs to be awarded within five years of the recipient's heroic actions.
Congress waived the time limit in McCloughan's case.
