Trump Awards Medal of Honor to 3 Army Service Members

Honors include posthumous recognitions for heroic actions in Vietnam and World War II.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army service members during a White House ceremony on Monday. Two of the medals were awarded posthumously, honoring the heroic actions of Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013, and Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds, who died in 1985 after resisting German forces as a prisoner of war during World War II. The third recipient was Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson, recognized for his bravery during a 1968 reconnaissance mission in Vietnam that saved the lives of 85 fellow soldiers.

Why it matters

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration, awarded by the President in the name of Congress to recognize acts of valor that go above and beyond the call of duty. These awards highlight the sacrifices and heroism of U.S. service members, and serve as a reminder of the high price paid to defend the country.

The details

During the ceremony, Trump also used the occasion to discuss his decision to launch a war in Iran, his immigration crackdown, and changes he has made to the White House decor. The three service members were recognized for their actions in different conflicts - Richardson in Vietnam, Ollis in Afghanistan, and Edmonds in World War II. Their citations detail their courageous actions that saved the lives of fellow soldiers, even at great personal risk.

  • The ceremony took place on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • Richardson's actions occurred on September 14, 1968 during the Vietnam War.
  • Ollis was killed in action on August 28, 2013 in Afghanistan.
  • Edmonds' resistance as a POW occurred on January 26-27, 1945 during World War II.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who awarded the Medal of Honor to the three service members.

Terry P. Richardson

Retired Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army who was recognized for his actions during a 1968 reconnaissance mission in Vietnam that saved 85 lives.

Michael H. Ollis

Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013 while shielding a Coalition Forces officer from an enemy insurgent.

Roderick W. Edmonds

Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army who led resistance efforts as a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II, refusing to identify Jewish-American soldiers for execution.

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What they’re saying

“There's no ceremony that can be more important than this.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (2news.com)

“We are all Jews here.”

— Roderick W. Edmonds, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (2news.com)

The takeaway

These Medal of Honor recipients exemplify the highest ideals of military service, risking their own lives to save others and resist oppression, even in the face of grave danger. Their actions serve as an inspiration and a reminder of the sacrifices made by U.S. service members to protect the nation and its values.