Tuesday 5 July 2022 07:36 PM Biden gives Medal of Honor to four hero Army veterans for their bravery during ... trends now
The recipients of this year's Medal of Honor are four Vietnam War veterans who risked their lives to defend injured comrades. One soldier is receiving the honor from President Joe Biden posthumously.
DWIGHT BIRDWELL
Specialist Five Birdwell, 74, was born in Amarillo, Texas on January 19, 1948 and when he was just three moved to Bell, Oklahoma. He graduated from high school in 1966 and joined the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of Specialist 5 in Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division.
Birdwell arrived in Vietnam in August 1967 and entered action during the Tet Offensive in January 1968 outside of Saigon. His unit bore the brunt of the initial attack, and Birdwell was wounded when saving his tank commander's life after he was incapacitated by the offensive.
Specialist Five Dwight Birdwell is one of the four 2022 Medal of Honor recipients
The soldier refused to evacuate and while under harassing fire, led a small group of defenders past the enemy force and engaged the enemy with hand grenades until reinforcements arrived.
Birdwell continued to disrupt the assault while wounded until he was ordered to seek medical attention.
Upon his honorable discharge on December 29, 1968, Birdwell returned to Oklahoma and earned his law degree. He went on to serve on the Cherokee Nation's Supreme Court from 1987-1999 and continues to practice law in Oklahoma City.
Staff Sergeant Edward Kaneshiro is receiving his honor posthumously. He went missing in action and was declared dead from small arms fire on March 6, 1967 when he was 38-years-old
EDWARD KANESHIRO
Staff Sergeant Kaneshiro is receiving his honor posthumously. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 22, 1928, Kaneshiro enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam in July 1966.
As of December 1, 1966, Kaneshiro served as squad leader with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, near Phu Huu 2, Kim Son Valley, Republic of Vietnam. During a search and destroy mission, his team was attacked by North Vietnamese forces. Kaneshiro destroyed one group with rifle fire and two others with grenades. This led to the orderly extrication and reorganization of the platoon and a successful withdrawal from the village.
Kaneshiro went
