Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
148028621
label
05/01/2002 - Presentation of the Medal of Honor - Programs
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
148028621
contentType
document
title
05/01/2002 - Presentation of the Medal of Honor - Programs
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Calligraphy Office (George W. Bush Administration)
Printed Ephemera Files
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
148028621
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
5cc703d1c5d44a77
ocrText
HHH PLURIBUS UNUM
THE PRESIDENT
welcomes you to
THE WHITE HOUSE
on the occasion of
the presentation of the
MEDAL OF HONOR
TESO
MERI
Wednesday, May 1, 2002
CITATION
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
CAPTAIN BEN L. SALOMON
UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty:
CRITERIA FOR AWARD
Captain Ben L. Salomon was serving at Saipan, in the Marianas Islands on
The Medal of Honor, established by Joint Resolution of Congress
July 7, 1944, as the Surgeon for the 2d Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment,
12 July 1862 (amended by Act of 9 July 1918 and Act of 25 July 1963)
27th Infantry Division. The Regiment's 1st and 2d Battalions were attacked
is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of
by an overwhelming force estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 Japanese
the Armed Forces, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and
soldiers. It was one of the largest attacks attempted in the Pacific Theater
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while
during World War II. Although both units fought furiously, the enemy
engaged in an action against any enemy of the United States, while
soon penetrated the Battalions' combined perimeter and inflicted
engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing
overwhelming casualties. In the first minutes of the attack, approximately
foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an
30 wounded soldiers walked, crawled, or were carried into Captain
armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United
Salomon's aid station, and the small tent soon filled with wounded men.
States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one
As the perimeter began to be overrun, it became increasingly difficult for
of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly
Captain Salomon to work on the wounded. He then saw a Japanese
distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved
soldier bayoneting one of the wounded soldiers lying near the tent. Firing
risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of service is exacted
from a squatting position, Captain Salomon quickly killed the enemy
and each recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on
soldier. Then, as he turned his attention back to the wounded, two more
the standard of extraordinary merit. Eligibility is limited to members of
Japanese soldiers appeared in the front entrance of the tent. As these
the Armed Forces of the United States in active Federal military service.
enemy soldiers were killed, four more crawled under the tent walls.
Rushing them, Captain Salomon kicked the knife out of the hand of one,
shot another, and bayoneted a third. Captain Salomon butted the fourth
enemy soldier in the stomach and a wounded comrade then shot and
killed the enemy soldier. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Captain
Salomon ordered the wounded to make their way as best they could back
to the regimental aid station, while he attempted to hold off the enemy
until they were clear. Captain Salomon then grabbed a rifle from one of
the wounded and rushed out of the tent. After four men were killed while
manning a machine gun, Captain Salomon took control of it. When his
body was later found, 98 dead enemy soldiers were piled in front of his
position. Captain Salomon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty
are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect
great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
CITATION
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
PROGRAM
CAPTAIN JON E. SWANSON
UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty:
Invocation
Brigadier General David Hicks, USA
Captain Jon E. Swanson distinguished himself by acts of bravery on
Deputy Chief of Chaplains
February 26, 1971, while flying an OH-6A aircraft in support of ARVN
Task Force 333 in the Kingdom of Cambodia. With two well-equipped
enemy regiments known to be in the area, Captain Swanson was tasked
with pinpointing the enemy's precise positions. Captain Swanson flew at
treetop level at a slow airspeed, making his aircraft a vulnerable target.
The advancing ARVN unit came under heavy automatic weapons fire
Remarks by
from enemy bunkers 100 meters to their front. Exposing his aircraft to
The President
enemy anti-aircraft fire, Captain Swanson immediately engaged the
enemy bunkers with concussion grenades and machine gun fire. After
destroying five bunkers and evading intense ground-to-air fire, he
observed a .51 caliber machine gun position. With all his heavy ordnance
expended on the bunkers, he did not have sufficient explosives to destroy
Presentation of the
the position. Consequently, he marked the position with a smoke
MEDAL OF HONOR
grenade and directed a Cobra gun ship attack. After completion of the
attack, Captain Swanson found the weapon still intact and an enemy
soldier crawling over to man it. He immediately engaged the individual
and killed him. During this time, his aircraft sustained several hits from
another .51 caliber machine gun. Captain Swanson engaged the position
with his aircraft's weapons, marked the target, and directed a second
Benediction
Cobra gun ship attack. He volunteered to continue the mission, despite
Brigadier General David Hicks, USA
the fact that he was now critically low on ammunition and his aircraft was
crippled by enemy fire. As Captain Swanson attempted to fly toward
Deputy Chief of Chaplains
another .51 caliber machine gun position, his aircraft exploded in the air
and crashed to the ground, causing his death. Captain Swanson's
courageous actions resulted in at least eight enemy killed and the
destruction of three enemy anti-aircraft weapons. Captain Swanson's
extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the
highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself,
his unit, and the United States Army.
H