President Trump Awards His First Medal of Honor To a Vietnam Veteran

Maureen Collins | August 1, 2017
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On Monday, President Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Vietnam veteran James McCloughan. 

Specialist McCloughan was known as "Doc" to his comrades in the "Charlie Company" or Company C, 3rd Company C, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. He was one of only two medics with the company.

McCloughan was interviewed by the U.S. Army on the occasion of his Medal of Honor. 

On May 13 through 15, 1969, McCloughan and his company were thrown into the Battle of Nui Yon Hill. Selflessly, McCloughan ran into harm's way to carry the wounded to safety -- sprinting 100 meters through open fire, sometimes while carrying two wounded soldiers at a time. He is credited with saving 10 lives that day. 

The next day, McCloughan refused the chance to evacuate, choosing instead to stay with the wounded.

"You'll need me," McCloughan recalls saying to his superior that day. And they did, as the other medic was killed the next day. 

McCloughan recalls in his interview with the Army that "Doc" is "probably one of the best titles I've ever had." But in his speech on Monday, President Trump gave a new title to McCloughan: "hero." 

"Private McCloughan carries one immortal title and that title is 'hero.' Specialist 5 McCloughan, we honor you, we salute you, and with God as your witness, we thank you for what you did for all of us." 

After his tour in Vietnam, McCloughan continued to act for others. He returned to his home state of Michigan, where he taught and coached high school students until his recent retirement. 

This was the first Medal of Honor awarded by President Trump. 

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