Joel Hefley: “Mr. Speaker, S. 2722 authorizes the award of the Medal of Honor to three individuals who have been recommended for the…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 2722 authorizes the award of the Medal of Honor to three individuals who have been recommended for the award following a review by the Secretary of the Army. In authorizing an award S. 2722, waives the time limits established in the law for the award of the Medal of Honor. The three cases involve extraordinary valor in combat and represent well the high standard for bravery that is the hallmark of our Nation's most cherished decoration, the Medal of Honor. Corporal Andrew J. Smith, 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, saved the regimental colors from capture on November 30, 1864, during the Battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina, when an assault left one-half of the regiment's officers and a third of the enlisted men killed or wounded. Technician Fifth grade, James K. Okubo, Medical Detachment 442nd Regimental Combat Team, rescued several badly wounded members of his unit while under heavy enemy fire on October 28, 29, and November 4, 1944, near Biffontaine France. Captain Ed. W. Freeman, 229 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, repeatedly flew into one of the hottest and most embattled landing zones of the Vietnam War to provide essential supplies and evacuate wounded on November 14, 1965, at landing zone X-ray during the battle of the LaDrang Valley, Republic of Vietnam.”