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Printed Materials - [Program for] the Presentation of the Medal of Honor, 05/01/2002 [George W. Bush Administration Material]
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Printed Materials - [Program for] the Presentation of the Medal of Honor, 05/01/2002 [George W. Bush Administration Material]
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Records of the Calligraphy Office. (Obama Administration)
General Files
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Barack Obama Presidential Library
MATURAL AND LITTERS SCRIPTA MANET RECORDS MASSACHUSETTS
Systematic Scanning Cover Sheet
1985
Per Folder
Collection:
Calligraphy Office, White House
Series:
General Files
Container Number: Legal Hollinger
71068
Folder ID: 52540
Folder Title: Printed Materials - [Program for] the Presentation of
the Medal of Honor, 05/01/2002 [George W. Bush
Administration Material]
Systematic File Name: t068887811-052540-71068
BRN
H
PLURIBUSUNU
THE
THE PRESIDENT
welcomes you to
THE WHITE HOUSE
on the occasion of
the presentation of the
MEDAL OF HONOR
E
4
Wednesday, May 1, 2002
CITATION
CITATION
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress,
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress,
March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to
March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to
PROGRAM
CAPTAIN BEN L. SALOMON
CAPTAIN JON E. SWANSON
UNITED STATES ARMY
UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty:
above and beyond the call of duty:
Invocation
Captain Ben L. Salomon was serving at Saipan, in the Marianas Islands on
Brigadier General David Hicks, USA
Captain Jon E. Swanson distinguished himself by acts of bravery on
July 7, 1944, as the Surgeon for the 2d Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment,
Deputy Chief of Chaplains
February 26, 1971, while flying an OH-6A aircraft in support of ARVN
27th Infantry Division. The Regiment's 1st and 2d Battalions were attacked
Task Force 333 in the Kingdom of Cambodia. With two well-equipped
by an overwhelming force estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 Japanese
enemy regiments known to be in the area, Captain Swanson was tasked
soldiers. It was one of the largest attacks attempted in the Pacific Theater
with pinpointing the enemy's precise positions. Captain Swanson flew at
during World War II. Although both units fought furiously, the enemy
treetop level at a slow airspeed, making his aircraft a vulnerable target.
soon penetrated the Battalions' combined perimeter and inflicted
The advancing ARVN unit came under heavy automatic weapons fire
overwhelming casualties. In the first minutes of the attack, approximately
Remarks by
from enemy bunkers 100 meters to their front. Exposing his aircraft to
30 wounded soldiers walked, crawled, or were carried into Captain
The President
enemy anti-aircraft fire, Captain Swanson immediately engaged the
Salomon's aid station, and the small tent soon filled with wounded men.
enemy bunkers with concussion grenades and machine gun fire. After
As the perimeter began to be overrun, it became increasingly difficult for
destroying five bunkers and evading intense ground-to-air fire, he
Captain Salomon to work on the wounded. He then saw a Japanese
observed a .51 caliber machine gun position. With all his heavy ordnance
soldier bayoneting one of the wounded soldiers lying near the tent. Firing
expended on the bunkers, he did not have sufficient explosives to destroy
from a squatting position, Captain Salomon quickly killed the enemy
Presentation of the
the position. Consequently, he marked the position with a smoke
soldier. Then, as he turned his attention back to the wounded, two more
grenade and directed a Cobra gun ship attack. After completion of the
MEDAL OF HONOR
Japanese soldiers appeared in the front entrance of the tent. As these
attack, Captain Swanson found the weapon still intact and an enemy
enemy soldiers were killed, four more crawled under the tent walls.
soldier crawling over to man it. He immediately engaged the individual
Rushing them, Captain Salomon kicked the knife out of the hand of one,
and killed him. During this time, his aircraft sustained several hits from
shot another, and bayoneted a third. Captain Salomon butted the fourth
another .51 caliber machine gun. Captain Swanson engaged the position
enemy soldier in the stomach and a wounded comrade then shot and
with his aircraft's weapons, marked the target, and directed a second
killed the enemy soldier. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Captain
Benediction
Cobra gun ship attack. He volunteered to continue the mission, despite
Salomon ordered the wounded to make their way as best they could back
Brigadier General David Hicks, USA
the fact that he was now critically low on ammunition and his aircraft was
to the regimental aid station, while he attempted to hold off the enemy
crippled by enemy fire. As Captain Swanson attempted to fly toward
until they were clear. Captain Salomon then grabbed a rifle from one of
Deputy Chief of Chaplains
another .51 caliber machine gun position, his aircraft exploded in the air
the wounded and rushed out of the tent. After four men were killed while
and crashed to the ground, causing his death. Captain Swanson's
manning a machine gun, Captain Salomon took control of it. When his
courageous actions resulted in at least eight enemy killed and the
body was later found, 98 dead enemy soldiers were piled in front of his
destruction of three enemy anti-aircraft weapons. Captain Swanson's
position. Captain Salomon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty
extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the
are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect
highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself,
great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
his unit, and the United States Army.
CRITERIA FOR AWARD
The Medal of Honor, established by Joint Resolution of Congress
12 July 1862 (amended by Act of 9 July 1918 and Act of 25 July 1963)
is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of
the Armed Forces, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while
engaged in an action against any enemy of the United States, while
engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing
foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an
armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United
States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one
of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly
distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved
risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of service is exacted
and each recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on
the standard of extraordinary merit. Eligibility is limited to members of
the Armed Forces of the United States in active Federal military service.