personal safety, Private First-Class
McCloughan led two Americans into the
safety of a trench while being wounded
by shrapnel from a rocket propelled
grenade. He ignored a direct order to stay
back and braved an enemy assault while
moving into the “kill zone” on four more
occasions to extract wounded comrades.
He treated the injured, prepared the
evacuation, and though bleeding heavily
from shrapnel wounds on his head and
body, refused evacuation to safety in
order to remain at the battle site with
his fellow Soldiers who were heavily
outnumbered by North Vietnamese
Army forces. On 14 May, the platoon was
again ordered to move out towards Nui
Yon Hill. Private First-Class McCloughan
was wounded a second time by small
arms fire and shrapnel from a rocket
propelled grenade while rendering aid to
two Soldiers in an open rice paddy. In the
final phases of the attack, two companies
from the 2nd North Vietnamese Army
Division and an element of 700 soldiers
from a Viet Cong regiment descended
upon Company C’s position on three
sides. Private First-Class McCloughan,
again with complete disregard for his life,
went into the crossfire numerous times
throughout the battle to extract wounded
Soldiers, while also fighting the enemy.
His relentless and courageous actions
inspired and motivated his comrades to
fight for their survival. When supplies
ran low, Private First-Class McCloughan
volunteered to hold a blinking strobe
light in an open area as a marker for a
nighttime resupply drop. He remained
steadfast while bullets landed all around
him and rocket propelled grenades flew
over his prone, exposed body. During
the morning darkness of 15 May, Private
First Class McCloughan knocked out a
rocket propelled grenade position with
a grenade, fought and eliminated enemy
soldiers, treated numerous casualties,
kept two critically wounded Soldiers
alive during the night, and organized
the dead and wounded for evacuation
at daylight. His timely and courageous
actions were instrumental in saving the
lives of his fellow Soldiers. Private First-
Class McCloughan’s personal heroism,
professional competence, and devotion
to duty are in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and
reflect great credit upon himself, the
America l Division, and the United
States Army.
Medals of Honor are awarded sparingly
and are bestowed only to the bravest of
the brave; and that courage must be well
documented. Other recent Army Medal of
Honor Recipients are:
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles
Captain Florent Groberg
Sergeant Henry Johnson
Sergeant William Shemin
1st Lieutenant Alonzo H Cushing
Command Sergeant Major
Bennie G Adkins
Specialist 4 Donald Sloat
Staff Sergeant Ryan M Pitts
Sergeant Kyle J White
Captain William D Swenson
Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter
Staff Sergeant Clinton L Romesha
Sergeant 1st Class Leroy A Petry
Staff Sergeant Salvatore A Giunta
Staff Sergeant Robert J Miller
Sergeant 1st Class Jared C Monti
Private 1st Class Ross McGinnis
Sergeant 1st Class Paul R Smith
Since 1998 at least 15 other Medals of
Honor have been awarded to correct past
administrative errors, oversights, and
follow-up on lost recommendations or
because of new evidence.
Here are just a few examples of Soldiers
who were awarded the Medal of Honor
from three wars. Their actions, like the
other recipients of the medal, were far
and above the call of duty.
During the Civil War, the job of color
bearer was one of the most hazardous
as well as important duties in the Army.
Soldiers looked to the flag for direction
and inspiration in battle and the bearer
was usually out in front, drawing heavy
enemy fire while holding the flag high.
On 16 November 1863, regimental color
bearer Private Joseph E. Brandle, from
the 17th Michigan Infantry, participated
in a battle near Lenoire, Tennessee.
“Having been twice wounded and the
sight of one eye destroyed, he still held
to the colors until ordered to the rear by
his regimental commander.”
The TRUMP RALLY Publication 137