WEBVTT 00:00.440 --> 00:03.530 Ladies and gentlemen , the President of 00:03.530 --> 00:04.760 the United States . 00:18.140 --> 00:20.307 Mm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm 00:20.307 --> 00:21.529 hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm . 00:32.940 --> 00:35.051 Ladies and gentlemen , please join me 00:35.051 --> 00:37.162 as we mark this very special occasion 00:37.162 --> 00:40.650 in prayer . Gracious and merciful Lord . 00:40.780 --> 00:43.020 You are the giver of life , the igniter 00:43.020 --> 00:45.290 of faith , provider of hope and the 00:45.290 --> 00:47.710 author of love , Mighty one , the 00:47.710 --> 00:49.932 ancient of days . You have commanded us 00:49.932 --> 00:52.340 to be strong and courageous in life or 00:52.340 --> 00:54.673 in death because you are always with us , 00:55.140 --> 00:57.140 receive your servants . Most humble 00:57.140 --> 00:59.820 prayer As we gather today to honor and 00:59.820 --> 01:02.730 celebrate three selfless exemplars of 01:02.730 --> 01:04.897 unquestioned commitment and courageous 01:04.897 --> 01:07.750 valor . Father . We are thankful for 01:07.750 --> 01:10.110 Master start and Earl Plumlee Sergeant , 01:10.110 --> 01:12.610 first class . All one cash and sergeant , 01:12.610 --> 01:14.499 first class Christopher sly's who 01:14.499 --> 01:16.840 embodied the sacrificial willingness To 01:16.840 --> 01:18.951 lay down 1's life for their friends . 01:19.340 --> 01:21.451 Each of these men took heroic actions 01:21.451 --> 01:23.562 in the face of fear and certain death 01:23.940 --> 01:26.051 Lord , you gave our nation and our me 01:26.051 --> 01:28.273 the heart of a special forces warrior , 01:28.273 --> 01:30.273 to free the oppressed the soul of a 01:30.273 --> 01:32.440 dogface soldier with a can do attitude 01:32.640 --> 01:34.807 and the fighting spirit of a ranger to 01:34.807 --> 01:36.862 lead the way . When our nation asked 01:36.862 --> 01:39.140 who will go each of these men declared . 01:39.140 --> 01:41.362 Here I am send me faith , hope and love 01:41.362 --> 01:43.307 propelled these men to display the 01:43.307 --> 01:45.140 compassion , care and commitment 01:45.140 --> 01:47.307 necessary to throw themselves into the 01:47.307 --> 01:49.400 fray to save others as a grateful 01:49.400 --> 01:51.400 nation . Help us today as we bestow 01:51.400 --> 01:53.344 it's highest honor on these men of 01:53.344 --> 01:55.456 valor who distinguished themselves at 01:55.456 --> 01:57.567 the risk of their own lives above and 01:57.567 --> 01:59.678 beyond the call of duty , bless those 01:59.678 --> 02:01.789 that we honor today . And I thank you 02:01.789 --> 02:03.956 for the many family members , comrades 02:03.956 --> 02:06.122 and arms and dear friends who are here 02:06.122 --> 02:08.233 with us today and others in spirit to 02:08.233 --> 02:10.340 support them . Made the actions of 02:10.340 --> 02:12.451 these men in the crucible of combat , 02:12.451 --> 02:14.630 inspire others to personal courage and 02:14.630 --> 02:16.830 selfless service . Keep the lamp of 02:16.830 --> 02:18.941 liberty shining forth brightly across 02:18.941 --> 02:21.880 our nation and let us always serve as a 02:21.880 --> 02:23.824 beacon of hope to freedom , loving 02:23.824 --> 02:26.240 people . It is in your holy majestic 02:26.240 --> 02:29.750 and magnificent name that I pray Amen . 02:37.940 --> 02:41.560 Please be seated . Thank you . Mhm . 02:42.240 --> 02:45.520 Good afternoon and welcome to the east 02:45.520 --> 02:48.510 room of the White House decorated for 02:48.510 --> 02:51.930 the holiday season and to 02:51.930 --> 02:55.930 celebrate the gift of gratitude . It's 02:55.930 --> 02:57.830 an appropriate backdrop for this 02:57.830 --> 03:00.360 ceremony we believe because our hearts 03:00.940 --> 03:03.162 are overflowing with gratitude today as 03:03.162 --> 03:05.940 we honor the unparalleled courage and 03:05.940 --> 03:09.160 commitment to duty and indispensable , 03:09.160 --> 03:12.380 indisputable gallantry and 03:12.390 --> 03:15.150 trip . You know , it's just hard to 03:15.150 --> 03:19.120 explain where you're soldiers got the 03:19.120 --> 03:22.730 courage . They got The late Sgt . 1st 03:22.730 --> 03:26.320 class , I want cash . Late Sergeant , 03:26.320 --> 03:29.490 first class Christopher challis . 03:30.340 --> 03:33.750 Master Sergeant , Earl Plumlee Plumlee 03:34.740 --> 03:36.796 in our nation's newest recipients of 03:36.796 --> 03:38.962 our highest military award . The Medal 03:38.962 --> 03:41.073 of honor . I want to thank all of our 03:41.073 --> 03:43.018 distinguished guests that are here 03:43.018 --> 03:44.907 today . The Chairman of the Joint 03:44.907 --> 03:48.410 Chiefs , the the Secretary of 03:48.410 --> 03:51.390 the of the uh 03:51.400 --> 03:54.920 Secretary Austin , the enlisted advisor , 03:54.920 --> 03:57.087 Chairman , Colin Lopez and the leaders 03:57.087 --> 03:59.670 of the United States Army and the Vice 03:59.670 --> 04:01.837 president of the United States and the 04:01.837 --> 04:05.670 second gentleman and I'm Jill's husband 04:05.670 --> 04:09.450 Jill is here as we add these three 04:09.450 --> 04:11.840 names to our nation's role of honor . I 04:11.840 --> 04:14.160 also want to recognize previous medal 04:14.160 --> 04:16.340 amount of recipients are here today to 04:16.340 --> 04:18.618 honor their brothers in arms . Matthew , 04:18.618 --> 04:20.784 Williams , Matthew stand up for people 04:20.784 --> 04:23.840 to see . Yeah , 04:24.640 --> 04:26.260 thomas paine . 04:31.740 --> 04:32.740 All right , 04:39.040 --> 04:41.960 each . So what it means to stare down 04:41.960 --> 04:44.071 danger and summon the strength in the 04:44.071 --> 04:46.210 moment of trial . We're grateful for 04:46.210 --> 04:48.470 all that you three have done so many 04:48.470 --> 04:51.280 more and the family of sergeant first 04:51.280 --> 04:55.100 class Almond Chase Has has been 04:55.100 --> 04:57.156 16 years . This has been 16 years in 04:57.156 --> 04:59.080 coming . Representative Murphy . 04:59.080 --> 05:01.136 Representative walls . Thank you for 05:01.136 --> 05:03.430 your efforts . Continued efforts along 05:03.430 --> 05:06.710 with the team . Sergeant gashes 05:06.710 --> 05:08.710 commander's commander in arms , his 05:08.710 --> 05:12.000 medical team and the family who worked 05:12.000 --> 05:14.222 with such dedication over so many years 05:14.222 --> 05:16.222 to make this recognition possible , 05:16.740 --> 05:20.360 october 17th 2005 , 05:21.640 --> 05:25.500 Sergeant Cash was commanding a Bradley 05:25.500 --> 05:28.250 fighting vehicle and no patrol in Iraq . 05:28.940 --> 05:31.930 They came under enemy fire and 05:31.930 --> 05:34.152 improvised explosive device detonated , 05:34.152 --> 05:35.930 igniting the vehicle's fuel and 05:35.930 --> 05:37.319 engulfing it in flames . 05:39.640 --> 05:41.807 Sergeant extracted himself and without 05:41.807 --> 05:43.918 hesitation turned back to the vehicle 05:43.918 --> 05:46.084 to help free the driver and extinguish 05:46.084 --> 05:48.418 the flames on the driver in the process . 05:48.418 --> 05:51.150 Sergeant first class cash uniform 05:51.150 --> 05:53.370 drenched in fuel , caught fire , 05:53.370 --> 05:56.250 causing severe burns . Patrol was still 05:56.250 --> 05:58.860 taking enemy fire , but Cash thought 05:58.860 --> 06:01.027 only of his fellow soldiers trapped in 06:01.027 --> 06:03.470 the troop compartment . So he pushed 06:03.470 --> 06:05.470 his own pain aside to return to the 06:05.470 --> 06:08.200 burning vehicle and pulled four 06:08.200 --> 06:11.630 soldiers free for more . At this 06:11.630 --> 06:13.460 point , With the second and 06:13.460 --> 06:15.850 third-degree burns covering almost 75% 06:15.850 --> 06:18.072 of his body . His uniform mostly mostly 06:18.072 --> 06:20.320 burned away . The sergeant saw there 06:20.320 --> 06:22.370 were still two soldiers and their 06:22.370 --> 06:24.910 interpreter unaccounted for . So I went 06:24.910 --> 06:27.000 back into the infirmary for a third 06:27.000 --> 06:29.970 time and got everyone out of that 06:29.970 --> 06:33.720 inferno . That was his code . His love 06:33.720 --> 06:35.998 for his 3rd Infantry Division ran deep . 06:36.440 --> 06:38.950 No soldier is going to be left behind 06:38.950 --> 06:41.850 on his watch . When helicopters began 06:41.850 --> 06:45.160 to arrive , he insisted that his troops 06:45.160 --> 06:47.160 to be evacuated before he would go 06:48.440 --> 06:50.950 later at Brooke Army Medical Center in 06:50.950 --> 06:53.210 texas where he and other members of his 06:53.210 --> 06:55.670 team were taken for treatment When he 06:55.670 --> 06:57.670 regained the ability to speak . His 06:57.670 --> 06:59.837 first thoughts were for his units , he 06:59.837 --> 07:02.160 asked first thing , How are my boys ? 07:03.340 --> 07:06.910 How are my boys ? I want 07:06.910 --> 07:10.260 Cash was a soldier's soldier , a 07:10.260 --> 07:12.340 warrior who literally walked through 07:12.340 --> 07:15.920 fire for his troops . Sergeant 07:15.920 --> 07:18.950 succumbed to his injuries in November 8 , 07:18.950 --> 07:21.370 2005 , surrounded by those who loved 07:21.370 --> 07:25.150 and loved him . He was a hero . He was 07:25.150 --> 07:27.780 a beloved son and brother , a proud 07:27.780 --> 07:30.058 husband and a father of three Children . 07:30.540 --> 07:32.429 Sergeant Cash and his family gave 07:32.429 --> 07:34.450 everything for our country . The 07:34.450 --> 07:36.720 devotion to his memory in the years , 07:36.720 --> 07:38.831 working to make sure that his courage 07:39.140 --> 07:40.862 and selflessness were properly 07:40.862 --> 07:43.210 documented and honored is a testament 07:43.210 --> 07:45.440 to the love he inspired on the legacy 07:45.440 --> 07:48.210 left behind . Sergeant . First class 07:48.210 --> 07:50.321 Cash is now the seventh individual to 07:50.321 --> 07:52.266 receive the Medal of honor for his 07:52.266 --> 07:54.690 actions and Operation Iraqi Freedom and 07:54.690 --> 07:56.801 the first African American to receive 07:56.801 --> 07:59.960 it since the Vietnam war . And Tamara 08:01.340 --> 08:02.450 Alexis 08:05.240 --> 08:08.450 casa . I'm so honored 08:09.440 --> 08:13.280 towards your husband , your dad , your 08:13.280 --> 08:15.680 brother . The recognition that he 08:15.680 --> 08:19.510 earned . I know it's tough . As honored 08:19.510 --> 08:21.850 as you are . It's got to be tough . Be 08:21.850 --> 08:25.320 here today . He'll be 08:25.320 --> 08:27.760 remembered remember forever . 08:30.340 --> 08:32.950 Sergeant 1st class Christopher Salis 08:33.340 --> 08:36.360 was an army ranger through and through 08:37.840 --> 08:41.710 With 175 . The Rangers lead the 08:41.710 --> 08:45.350 way on july 12th 08:45.740 --> 08:48.130 2018 . Nearing the end of the 5th 08:48.130 --> 08:51.110 deployment of 5th deployment , Sergeant 08:51.110 --> 08:53.910 Silas was leading an operation in the 08:53.910 --> 08:57.500 Paktika province of Afghanistan . Not a 08:57.500 --> 09:00.710 very friendly place to clear the area 09:00.720 --> 09:03.550 of enemy forces attacked and pinned 09:03.550 --> 09:05.606 down by a large force . The sergeant 09:05.606 --> 09:07.772 exposed himself that the enemy fire in 09:07.772 --> 09:09.994 order to retrieve a heavy weapon system 09:09.994 --> 09:12.217 that allowed his team to fight back and 09:12.217 --> 09:14.272 reach the secure location during the 09:14.272 --> 09:16.860 firefight , A member of his team was 09:16.860 --> 09:19.160 critically wounded as they call for 09:19.160 --> 09:22.200 medical evacuation but as the rescue 09:22.200 --> 09:24.200 helicopter arrived and began taking 09:24.200 --> 09:26.810 fire as well , the sergeant knew it was 09:26.810 --> 09:28.866 time was critical to get his wounded 09:28.866 --> 09:32.240 teammate loading and treated . So he 09:32.240 --> 09:34.860 once again knowingly and willingly 09:35.340 --> 09:37.460 stepped into the enemy's crosshairs . 09:38.240 --> 09:40.270 Sergeant Sally's used his body as a 09:40.270 --> 09:42.390 shield for the aircraft and its crew 09:42.390 --> 09:44.700 against the heavy incoming fire . The 09:44.700 --> 09:46.922 helicopter began to take off and he put 09:46.922 --> 09:48.978 himself directly between the cockpit 09:48.978 --> 09:51.089 and the enemy , ensuring the aircraft 09:51.089 --> 09:53.310 could depart and sustaining what would 09:53.310 --> 09:57.030 prove to be a mortal wound . He knew he 09:57.030 --> 10:00.420 was hit , but he waited for the aircrew 10:00.420 --> 10:04.420 to depart without him . In the face of 10:04.420 --> 10:06.531 extreme danger , he placed the safety 10:06.531 --> 10:10.010 of his team and his crew 10:10.290 --> 10:13.920 above his own . I can offer no 10:13.920 --> 10:17.290 better encapsulation in the words of 10:17.290 --> 10:20.950 the U . S . Army ambulance pilot and 10:20.950 --> 10:23.660 command that day , he said quote 10:24.140 --> 10:27.240 courage to me , is putting your life on 10:27.240 --> 10:30.050 the line to save the life . Another as 10:30.050 --> 10:32.260 demonstrated by sergeant first class 10:32.260 --> 10:35.460 chris Wallace who died protecting my 10:35.460 --> 10:39.180 crew . End of quote Christopher sully's 10:39.940 --> 10:42.060 was courage made flesh 10:43.140 --> 10:45.680 today . We had his name to the elite 10:45.680 --> 10:48.320 vanguard of american warriors who 10:48.320 --> 10:50.430 generation after generation have 10:50.430 --> 10:52.486 strengthened and inspired our nation 10:52.486 --> 10:54.480 with their unwavering bravery and 10:54.480 --> 10:58.360 service . His legacy lives on 10:58.940 --> 11:01.220 the lives he saved the teammates . He 11:01.430 --> 11:04.520 mentored and the memories he made with 11:04.520 --> 11:07.940 his beloved wife , Katie and especially 11:07.940 --> 11:09.996 in their precious daughter Shannon . 11:11.040 --> 11:13.460 Thank you for sharing your dad with our 11:13.460 --> 11:16.820 country Shannon . We'll never forget 11:16.820 --> 11:19.070 the debt that we owe you and your old 11:19.070 --> 11:22.660 family , august 28 11:23.340 --> 11:27.260 2013 . Then Staff Sergeant 11:27.740 --> 11:31.020 Earl family was 11:31.030 --> 11:34.510 snapping a quick photo with members of 11:34.510 --> 11:36.510 his unit at forward operation based 11:36.510 --> 11:39.730 Ghazni in Afghanistan . Then 11:39.730 --> 11:42.570 insurgents turned out detonated a £400 11:42.570 --> 11:45.020 car bomb that blew open a 60 ft wide 11:45.020 --> 11:48.330 breach in the perimeter wall . Staff 11:48.330 --> 11:50.620 stars in from way , members of the 11:50.620 --> 11:52.620 special operations team immediately 11:52.620 --> 11:54.564 hopped in a nearby truck and raced 11:54.564 --> 11:56.676 toward the blast to defend the base . 11:57.040 --> 11:59.096 When they arrived , they encountered 11:59.096 --> 12:01.151 insurgents coming through the wall , 12:01.151 --> 12:04.420 all wearing explosive vests . Our 12:04.420 --> 12:07.140 troops started taking rocket fire , 12:07.150 --> 12:09.206 recoilless rifle fire and small arms 12:09.206 --> 12:11.480 fire while the driver of their truck 12:11.480 --> 12:14.120 maneuvered into the line of enemy fire 12:14.130 --> 12:16.352 to shield injured members of their team 12:16.352 --> 12:18.130 outside the vehicle . The staff 12:18.130 --> 12:20.186 sergeant exited the vehicle and used 12:20.186 --> 12:23.330 his own body to shield the driver . He 12:23.330 --> 12:25.497 left whatever cover the truck provided 12:25.497 --> 12:27.552 him and began to engage the invaders 12:27.640 --> 12:29.807 outnumbered with no regard for his own 12:29.807 --> 12:31.930 safety . At times armed with only a 12:31.930 --> 12:34.790 pistol , Staff Sergeant Plumlee 12:34.800 --> 12:36.967 attacked the insurgent forces , taking 12:36.967 --> 12:40.430 them on one by one and time and again 12:40.440 --> 12:42.770 bullets flew by sometimes only inches 12:42.770 --> 12:45.130 away and time and again . Staff 12:45.130 --> 12:48.350 Sergeant Gormley closed with the enemy 12:49.340 --> 12:51.673 and multiple occasions during the fight , 12:51.673 --> 12:53.729 the insurgents detonated their vests 12:53.729 --> 12:56.900 right in front of them Plumlee . At one 12:56.900 --> 12:59.140 point hurling him into a wall , an 12:59.140 --> 13:02.150 engine is back . When a fellow soldier 13:02.150 --> 13:03.928 was severely wounded , Plumbing 13:03.928 --> 13:05.706 immediately ran to the soldiers 13:05.706 --> 13:07.761 position , carried him to safety and 13:07.761 --> 13:09.872 administered tactical combat casualty 13:09.872 --> 13:11.928 care before returning to the fight . 13:11.928 --> 13:14.150 Ultimately , Staff Sergeant Plumlee was 13:14.150 --> 13:16.317 able to organize three polish soldiers 13:16.317 --> 13:18.372 to mount an effective defense of the 13:18.372 --> 13:20.600 base clear the area and regain the 13:20.600 --> 13:24.310 security posture . His heroic actions 13:24.310 --> 13:26.366 in the battlefield leadership gained 13:26.366 --> 13:28.532 the recognition of some of the highest 13:28.532 --> 13:30.754 military commanders , including the man 13:30.754 --> 13:32.921 who knows a little bit about battles . 13:32.921 --> 13:34.866 Our chairman of our Joint Chiefs , 13:34.866 --> 13:36.977 General Milley and General McConville 13:37.140 --> 13:39.960 who are here today . We're here today 13:40.150 --> 13:42.170 to honor them as well . They saw 13:42.170 --> 13:44.226 extraordinary bravery and then Staff 13:44.226 --> 13:46.520 Sergeant Plumlee did and I understood 13:46.520 --> 13:49.200 the worst outcome he prevented from 13:49.200 --> 13:51.200 taking place . They understood what 13:51.200 --> 13:53.200 would have happened had he not done 13:53.200 --> 13:55.650 what he did . Now Master Sergeant 13:55.660 --> 13:59.380 formally has this recognition has been 13:59.380 --> 14:02.190 too long in coming delayed for you and 14:02.190 --> 14:04.980 your family as well And No one , No 1 14:04.980 --> 14:07.036 will ever forget how you sprang into 14:07.036 --> 14:08.890 action . When are when the enemy 14:08.890 --> 14:11.640 attacked our base . I'm grateful for 14:11.640 --> 14:13.751 your continued service and dedication 14:13.751 --> 14:15.862 to the country and that goes for your 14:15.862 --> 14:17.696 wife , terry and your Children , 14:17.696 --> 14:20.830 Lillian and Lincoln as well because 14:20.830 --> 14:22.997 it's not just the person who wears the 14:22.997 --> 14:24.941 uniform or serves , it's the whole 14:24.941 --> 14:28.150 family who serves sleepless nights , 14:28.640 --> 14:30.918 the missed holidays , the empty chairs , 14:30.918 --> 14:34.480 the celebrations , the way you give 14:34.480 --> 14:37.680 back to your community . The english 14:37.680 --> 14:41.140 poet john Milton once wrote . They also 14:41.140 --> 14:45.140 serve who only stand and wait . They 14:45.140 --> 14:47.460 also serve who only stand and wait 14:48.440 --> 14:50.662 While today we honour three outstanding 14:50.662 --> 14:52.610 soldiers whose actions embody the 14:52.610 --> 14:55.870 highest ideals of selfless service . We 14:55.870 --> 14:58.290 also remember the high price our 14:58.290 --> 15:00.930 military members and their families are 15:00.930 --> 15:03.260 willing to pay on behalf of the nation . 15:04.540 --> 15:07.140 We remembered the strength and the 15:07.140 --> 15:09.362 sacrifices of these military families . 15:09.362 --> 15:11.630 Caregivers and survivors . And we 15:11.630 --> 15:14.060 remember and renew our sacred 15:14.060 --> 15:16.060 obligation to those who served this 15:16.060 --> 15:18.510 nation in uniform as a nation . We have 15:18.510 --> 15:20.960 many obligations to our Children , the 15:20.960 --> 15:23.071 elderly , those in need . But we have 15:23.071 --> 15:25.750 only one truly sacred obligation , 15:26.240 --> 15:29.130 sacred obligation as to properly 15:29.130 --> 15:31.297 prepare and equip those troops we send 15:31.297 --> 15:33.790 into harm's way , care for them and 15:33.790 --> 15:36.130 their families both wild , they're 15:36.130 --> 15:38.930 deployed and when they return that 15:38.930 --> 15:42.700 commitment never expires . And as 15:42.700 --> 15:45.310 commander in chief , I promise it's a 15:45.310 --> 15:48.390 commitment that we will keep . So God 15:48.390 --> 15:51.250 bless you all and may God protect the 15:51.250 --> 15:54.040 troops are out there right now . Now 15:54.040 --> 15:56.640 it's my great honor to ask for the 15:56.640 --> 15:59.530 citations to be read and award the 15:59.530 --> 16:01.474 medal of honor to sergeant . First 16:01.474 --> 16:03.970 class album Chase Sergeant , first 16:03.970 --> 16:06.580 class Christopher , sly's and Master 16:06.580 --> 16:08.140 Sergeant . Earl Tomblin . 16:12.340 --> 16:14.700 Will the cash family please join the 16:14.700 --> 16:16.760 president on stage , 16:21.840 --> 16:22.840 mm hmm , 16:28.440 --> 16:32.160 attention to orders . Yeah . Okay . 16:32.840 --> 16:34.729 The President of United States of 16:34.729 --> 16:36.951 America authorized by Act of Congress , 16:36.951 --> 16:40.190 March 3rd 18 63 has possibly awarded in 16:40.190 --> 16:42.190 the name of Congress . The medal of 16:42.190 --> 16:44.680 honor to sergeant first class Alwyn C 16:44.690 --> 16:47.270 Cash , United States Army for 16:47.270 --> 16:49.326 conspicuous gallantry at the risk of 16:49.326 --> 16:51.437 his life above and beyond the call of 16:51.437 --> 16:53.603 duty Sergeant . First class always see 16:53.603 --> 16:55.826 cash , distinguished himself by acts of 16:55.826 --> 16:57.992 gallantry above and beyond the call of 16:57.992 --> 17:00.159 duty while serving as platoon sergeant 17:00.159 --> 17:02.270 with company a first Battalion , 15th 17:02.270 --> 17:04.270 Infantry Regiment , third Brigade , 17:04.270 --> 17:06.214 third Infantry Division in Saladin 17:06.214 --> 17:08.270 Province Iraq on october 17th 2005 , 17:08.440 --> 17:10.440 while on a nighttime mounted patrol 17:10.440 --> 17:12.607 near an emulated village , the Bradley 17:12.607 --> 17:14.718 fighting vehicle which Sergeant first 17:14.718 --> 17:16.496 class Cash was commanding , was 17:16.496 --> 17:18.607 attacked by enemy small arms fire and 17:18.607 --> 17:20.662 an improvised explosive device which 17:20.662 --> 17:22.884 disabled the vehicle engulfed in flames 17:22.884 --> 17:24.773 after extracting himself from the 17:24.773 --> 17:26.884 vehicle . Sergeant , first class Cash 17:26.884 --> 17:29.107 set about extracting the driver who was 17:29.107 --> 17:31.162 trapped in the vehicle after opening 17:31.162 --> 17:33.273 the driver's hatch . Sergeant , first 17:33.273 --> 17:35.051 class Cash and a fellow soldier 17:35.051 --> 17:37.162 extracted the driver who was engulfed 17:37.162 --> 17:39.107 in the flames during the course of 17:39.107 --> 17:41.273 extinguishing the flames on the driver 17:41.273 --> 17:43.384 and extracting him from the vehicle . 17:43.384 --> 17:43.340 Sergeant , first class is caches , fuel 17:43.340 --> 17:45.620 soaked his uniform , igniting and 17:45.620 --> 17:47.560 causing severe burns to his body 17:47.650 --> 17:49.960 ignoring his painful wounds . Sergeant 17:49.960 --> 17:52.182 first class Cash then moved to the rear 17:52.182 --> 17:54.238 of the vehicle to continue in aiding 17:54.238 --> 17:56.460 his fellow soldiers who were trapped in 17:56.460 --> 17:58.516 the troop compartment . At this time 17:58.516 --> 18:00.738 the enemy noted his movements and began 18:00.738 --> 18:02.904 to direct their fire on his position . 18:02.904 --> 18:02.870 When another element of the company 18:02.870 --> 18:04.814 engaged the enemy . Sergeant first 18:04.814 --> 18:06.926 class Cash seized the opportunity and 18:06.926 --> 18:08.981 moving the open troop door and ended 18:08.981 --> 18:11.037 four of his soldiers in escaping the 18:11.037 --> 18:13.203 burning vehicle . Having extracted the 18:13.203 --> 18:15.259 four soldiers . Sergeant first class 18:15.259 --> 18:17.314 Cash noticed two other soldiers have 18:17.314 --> 18:19.314 not been accounted for and again he 18:19.314 --> 18:19.310 entered the building to retrieve them . 18:19.500 --> 18:21.611 At this time , reinforcements arrived 18:21.611 --> 18:23.778 further suppress the enemy established 18:23.778 --> 18:26.000 a casualty collection point despite the 18:26.000 --> 18:27.778 severe 2nd and 3rd degree burns 18:27.778 --> 18:29.778 covering the majority of his body . 18:29.778 --> 18:31.944 Sergeant . First class Cash persevered 18:31.944 --> 18:33.833 through the pain to encourage his 18:33.833 --> 18:36.056 fellow soldiers and ensure they receive 18:36.056 --> 18:38.000 needed medical care . When medical 18:38.000 --> 18:40.278 evacuation helicopters began to arrive . 18:40.278 --> 18:42.278 Sergeant first class Cash selfishly 18:42.278 --> 18:44.430 refused evacuation until all of the 18:44.430 --> 18:46.652 other wounded soldiers were evacuated . 18:46.652 --> 18:48.763 First Sergeant , first class caste is 18:48.763 --> 18:50.874 extraordinary heroism and selfishness 18:50.874 --> 18:52.874 above and beyond the call of duty . 18:52.874 --> 18:54.597 We're keeping with the highest 18:54.597 --> 18:56.763 traditions of the military service and 18:56.763 --> 18:58.870 reflect credit upon himself his unit 18:58.880 --> 19:00.930 and the United States Army signed 19:00.940 --> 19:04.080 joseph R . Biden , the President of 19:04.080 --> 19:05.080 United States . 19:10.640 --> 19:11.670 Mhm . Mhm . 19:26.340 --> 19:28.062 Will the sally's family please 19:28.250 --> 19:29.694 accompany the president . 19:39.540 --> 19:42.560 Mhm . Attention to orders . 19:43.440 --> 19:45.273 The President , United States of 19:45.273 --> 19:47.607 America , authorized by Act of Congress , 19:47.607 --> 19:49.829 March 3rd 18 63 has possibly awarded in 19:49.829 --> 19:52.051 the name of Congress the Medal of honor 19:52.051 --> 19:54.273 to sergeant . First class Christopher . 19:54.273 --> 19:56.220 A cell is United States Army for 19:56.220 --> 19:58.276 conspicuous gallantry at the risk of 19:58.276 --> 20:00.387 his life above and beyond the call of 20:00.387 --> 20:02.053 duty . Sergeant . First class 20:02.053 --> 20:04.053 Christopher . Axcelis distinguished 20:04.053 --> 20:06.220 himself by conspicuous gallantry above 20:06.220 --> 20:08.109 and beyond the call of duty while 20:08.109 --> 20:10.109 engaged with the enemy and peculiar 20:10.109 --> 20:12.109 province Afghanistan . On july 12th 20:12.109 --> 20:14.164 2000 and 18 , as a leader of special 20:14.164 --> 20:16.053 purpose unit comprised of partner 20:16.053 --> 20:17.831 forces and members of the first 20:17.831 --> 20:19.664 Battalion 75th ranger Regiment . 20:19.664 --> 20:21.609 Sergeant first class police led an 20:21.609 --> 20:23.609 operation to clear an area of enemy 20:23.609 --> 20:25.498 forces and thereby disrupt future 20:25.498 --> 20:25.100 attacks against the government of 20:25.100 --> 20:28.130 Afghanistan and allied forces . Shortly 20:28.130 --> 20:30.074 after his team reached their final 20:30.074 --> 20:31.908 objectives , a large enemy force 20:31.908 --> 20:33.963 attacked place effective fire on him 20:33.963 --> 20:35.852 and his team preventing them from 20:35.852 --> 20:37.574 maneuvering to counterattack , 20:37.574 --> 20:39.686 realizing the danger the attack posed 20:39.686 --> 20:41.519 to his team . In the operation , 20:41.519 --> 20:43.630 Sergeant First class Elites voluntary 20:43.630 --> 20:45.797 voluntarily exposed himself to intense 20:45.797 --> 20:47.963 enemy machine guns and small arms fire 20:47.963 --> 20:50.074 to retrieve an employer heavy weapons 20:50.074 --> 20:52.241 system , thereby allowing us important 20:52.241 --> 20:54.408 forces to regain initiative , maneuver 20:54.408 --> 20:56.130 to a secure location and begin 20:56.130 --> 20:58.019 treatment of a critically wounded 20:58.019 --> 21:00.019 partner force member . As a medical 21:00.019 --> 21:02.186 evacuation helicopter arrived , it was 21:02.186 --> 21:04.186 immediately engaged by accurate and 21:04.186 --> 21:06.130 sustained enemy fire , knowing how 21:06.130 --> 21:08.186 critical it was to quickly lower the 21:08.186 --> 21:10.297 casualty . Sergeant first class Elise 21:10.297 --> 21:12.241 willingly exposed himself to heavy 21:12.241 --> 21:14.130 enemy fire to direct and lead the 21:14.130 --> 21:16.352 evacuation . As the casualty moved from 21:16.352 --> 21:18.186 a position of cover and out into 21:18.186 --> 21:20.186 intense enemy fire . Sergeant First 21:20.186 --> 21:22.408 class Police made a conscious effort to 21:22.408 --> 21:24.352 ensure his body acts as a physical 21:24.352 --> 21:24.180 shield to his team carrying the 21:24.180 --> 21:26.291 casualty and the crew of the aircraft 21:26.440 --> 21:28.690 as the casualty was loaded and Sergeant 21:28.690 --> 21:30.830 First class sally's team returned to 21:30.830 --> 21:32.663 cover . He alone remained at the 21:32.663 --> 21:34.774 aircraft , returning a high volume of 21:34.774 --> 21:36.663 fire and constantly repositioning 21:36.663 --> 21:38.830 himself to act as a physical shield to 21:38.830 --> 21:40.886 the aircraft and its crew . With his 21:40.886 --> 21:42.886 final Reposition Sergeant 1st class 21:42.886 --> 21:45.052 police placed himself directly between 21:45.052 --> 21:47.108 the cockpit and the enemy , ensuring 21:47.108 --> 21:49.163 the aircraft was able to part As the 21:49.163 --> 21:51.219 helicopter lifted off . Sergeant 1st 21:51.219 --> 21:53.219 class Seles was hit by enemy fire , 21:53.219 --> 21:55.219 fully aware of his own injury , but 21:55.219 --> 21:57.441 understanding the peril to the aircraft 21:57.441 --> 21:59.774 from the intense enemy machine gun fire . 21:59.774 --> 22:01.941 Sergeant first class sally's motion to 22:01.941 --> 22:04.108 the aircraft to depart rather than the 22:04.108 --> 22:06.108 rain behind to load in his selfless 22:06.108 --> 22:08.330 actions , saved the life that evacuated 22:08.330 --> 22:10.108 part of force member and almost 22:10.108 --> 22:12.274 certainly prevented further casualties 22:12.274 --> 22:14.497 among other members of his team and the 22:14.497 --> 22:16.163 aircrew throughout the entire 22:16.163 --> 22:18.386 engagement . Sergeant first class Elise 22:18.386 --> 22:20.386 significantly changed the course of 22:20.386 --> 22:22.608 battle by repeatedly placing himself in 22:22.608 --> 22:24.663 extreme danger to protect his team , 22:24.663 --> 22:26.740 defeat the enemy and ultimately cost 22:26.740 --> 22:28.870 him his life . Sergeant . First class 22:28.870 --> 22:31.010 releases extraordinary heroism and 22:31.010 --> 22:33.121 selfless above and beyond the call of 22:33.121 --> 22:35.343 duty . Were in keeping with the highest 22:35.343 --> 22:37.510 traditions of military service service 22:37.510 --> 22:39.732 and reflect great credit upon himself . 22:39.732 --> 22:41.732 His unit and the United States Army 22:41.732 --> 22:45.330 signed joseph R . Biden the President , 22:45.330 --> 22:46.330 United States 23:05.540 --> 23:07.262 Master Mummy , will you please 23:07.262 --> 23:08.262 accompany present 23:21.140 --> 23:23.920 attention to orders ? The President , 23:23.920 --> 23:26.031 United States of America , authorized 23:26.031 --> 23:28.980 by Act of Congress , March 3rd 18 63 23:28.990 --> 23:30.879 has possibly award in the name of 23:30.879 --> 23:32.934 Congress the Medal of honor to Staff 23:32.934 --> 23:35.550 Sergeant Earl de Plumlee . United 23:35.550 --> 23:37.980 States Army for conspicuous gallantry 23:37.980 --> 23:40.091 at the risk of his life and above and 23:40.091 --> 23:41.869 beyond the call of duty . Staff 23:41.869 --> 23:44.036 Sergeant Earl de Plumlee distinguished 23:44.036 --> 23:46.820 himself by acts of gallantry above and 23:46.820 --> 23:49.070 beyond the call of duty on august 28th 23:49.080 --> 23:51.680 2013 while serving as a weapon . 23:51.680 --> 23:54.330 Sergeant C Company fourth Battalion 23:54.350 --> 23:56.720 First Special Forces group Airborne in 23:56.720 --> 23:58.831 support of operation enduring freedom 23:58.940 --> 24:01.260 Sergeant Plumlee and so we responded to 24:01.260 --> 24:03.316 an enemy attack on forward operating 24:03.316 --> 24:04.982 base Ghazni Ghazni Province , 24:04.982 --> 24:06.760 Afghanistan that began with the 24:06.760 --> 24:08.871 explosion that tore a 60 ft breach in 24:08.871 --> 24:10.750 the base basis perimeter wall 10 24:10.750 --> 24:12.972 insurgents wearing Afghan National Army 24:12.972 --> 24:15.050 uniforms and suicide vests poured 24:15.050 --> 24:17.340 through the breach . Sergeant Plumlee 24:17.340 --> 24:19.660 and five others mounted to vehicles and 24:19.660 --> 24:21.771 race towards the explosion . When his 24:21.771 --> 24:23.771 vehicle was engaged by enemy fire , 24:23.810 --> 24:25.977 sergeant Plumlee reacted instinctively 24:26.190 --> 24:28.190 using his body to shield the driver 24:28.190 --> 24:30.023 prior to exiting the vehicle and 24:30.023 --> 24:32.246 engaging an enemy insurgent 15 m to the 24:32.246 --> 24:34.412 vehicles right with his pistol without 24:34.412 --> 24:36.634 covering complete disregard for his own 24:36.634 --> 24:38.634 safety , he advanced on the enemy , 24:38.634 --> 24:40.801 engaging multiple insurgents with only 24:40.801 --> 24:43.610 his pistol . Upon reaching cover , he 24:43.610 --> 24:45.666 killed two insurgents , one with the 24:45.666 --> 24:47.666 grenade and the other by detonating 24:47.666 --> 24:50.100 insurgents suicide vest using precision 24:50.100 --> 24:53.320 sniper fire . Again , disregarding his 24:53.320 --> 24:55.487 own safety . Sergeant Plumlee advanced 24:55.487 --> 24:57.770 alone against the enemy , engaging 24:57.770 --> 24:59.770 several insurgents at close range , 24:59.920 --> 25:01.753 including one whose suicide vest 25:01.870 --> 25:03.703 exploded a mere seven m from his 25:03.703 --> 25:06.450 position under intense enemy fire . 25:06.610 --> 25:08.721 Sergeant Plumlee temporarily withdrew 25:08.721 --> 25:10.554 to cover where he joined up with 25:10.554 --> 25:12.443 another soldier and together they 25:12.443 --> 25:14.443 mounted another counterattack under 25:14.443 --> 25:16.499 fierce enemy fire . Sergeant Plumlee 25:16.499 --> 25:18.610 again moved from cover and attack the 25:18.610 --> 25:20.777 enemy forces Advancing with seven m of 25:20.777 --> 25:22.721 a previously wounded insurgent who 25:22.721 --> 25:24.666 detonated his suicide vest blowing 25:24.666 --> 25:26.832 sergeant Plumlee back against a nearby 25:26.832 --> 25:28.999 wall . Sergeant Plumlee , ignoring his 25:28.999 --> 25:30.777 injuries , quickly regained his 25:30.777 --> 25:32.666 faculties and re engage the enemy 25:32.666 --> 25:35.600 forces intense enemy fire once again 25:35.600 --> 25:37.656 forced the two soldiers to temporary 25:37.656 --> 25:39.600 withdrawal . Undeterred . Sergeant 25:39.600 --> 25:41.378 Plumlee joined a small group of 25:41.378 --> 25:43.600 american polish soldiers who moved from 25:43.600 --> 25:45.711 cover to once again counterattack the 25:45.711 --> 25:47.656 infiltrators as the force advanced 25:47.656 --> 25:49.878 Sergeant plum reengaged in insurgent to 25:49.878 --> 25:51.989 his front left . He then swung around 25:51.989 --> 25:53.878 and engaged another insurgent who 25:53.878 --> 25:55.989 charged the group from the rear . The 25:55.989 --> 25:57.878 insurgent detonated suicide vests 25:57.878 --> 25:59.933 morally wounding a U . S . Soldier . 25:59.933 --> 26:02.730 Sergeant Plumlee again without complete 26:02.730 --> 26:04.786 disregard with it for his own safety 26:04.786 --> 26:06.841 ran to the wounded soldier , carried 26:06.841 --> 26:09.008 him to safety and rendered first aid . 26:09.008 --> 26:11.230 He then methodically cleared the area , 26:11.230 --> 26:13.008 remained a security posture and 26:13.008 --> 26:14.952 continue to scan for any remaining 26:14.952 --> 26:18.380 threats . Staff Sergeant Earl de Plum 26:18.380 --> 26:20.700 lea's extraordinary heroism and 26:20.700 --> 26:22.811 devotion to duty are keeping with the 26:22.811 --> 26:24.922 finest traditions of military service 26:24.980 --> 26:27.202 and reflect great credit upon himself . 26:27.340 --> 26:29.390 The Special forces regiment and the 26:29.390 --> 26:32.540 United States Army signed joseph R . 26:32.550 --> 26:35.050 Biden , the President , United States . 26:40.340 --> 26:41.340 Mhm 27:03.040 --> 27:03.550 mm hmm . 27:07.640 --> 27:09.950 Mhm . Mhm . Mhm 27:17.840 --> 27:18.840 mm hmm . 27:45.940 --> 27:48.360 Yeah , mm hmm , 27:53.840 --> 27:54.840 mm hmm . 27:58.540 --> 28:00.670 Yeah . Okay . 28:02.940 --> 28:06.770 Right . Ladies and gentlemen , 28:06.770 --> 28:08.714 please join me as we conclude this 28:08.714 --> 28:11.560 ceremony in prayer . Most Holy God As 28:11.560 --> 28:13.782 we leave this ceremony , inspire us and 28:13.782 --> 28:15.838 lead us to greater acts of service . 28:16.240 --> 28:18.407 May we have the audacity to follow the 28:18.407 --> 28:20.573 examples of the warriors we honor here 28:20.573 --> 28:22.910 today . Blessed master Sergeant , 28:22.910 --> 28:26.090 Plumlee , the cash and sally's families 28:26.350 --> 28:28.406 as the names of these men are etched 28:28.406 --> 28:30.790 into our nation's proud history . May 28:30.790 --> 28:32.957 their leadership and legacies mark the 28:32.957 --> 28:35.420 truest north for us to seek and may we 28:35.420 --> 28:37.587 all strive to be strong and courageous 28:37.587 --> 28:39.809 in the face of challenges that life may 28:39.809 --> 28:41.990 bring . Finally we pray that you will 28:41.990 --> 28:44.101 give our leaders wisdom as they serve 28:44.101 --> 28:46.157 our nation and our armies people and 28:46.157 --> 28:48.379 that you will bless and protect the men 28:48.379 --> 28:50.490 and women of our armed forces as they 28:50.490 --> 28:52.546 preserve those precious freedoms . I 28:52.546 --> 28:54.712 ask these things in your most gracious 28:54.712 --> 28:55.990 and holy name . Amen . 29:06.540 --> 29:07.540 Mhm . 29:10.340 --> 29:12.562 Ladies and gentlemen , please remain in 29:12.562 --> 29:14.673 your seats as the President and first 29:14.673 --> 29:16.618 lady and vice President and second 29:16.618 --> 29:17.896 Gentleman Department . 29:20.670 --> 29:23.460 Yeah , 29:24.540 --> 29:25.540 mm hmm . 29:36.240 --> 29:38.110 Right 29:41.170 --> 29:45.090 there . Mm 29:45.090 --> 29:46.670 hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm .