If It’s OK for 1969 Actions in Viet Nam Why Not for 1967 Actions Off The Coast of the Sinai Peninsula?

The US government has traditionally awarded the Medal of Honor by the President at the White House.

Not always, traditionally.

The US government has never asked the government of the opposing force if they had any objection to the awarding of the Medal of Honor.

Never, except for the Medal of Honor that was awarded to USS Liberty Commanding Officer Captain William McGonagle.

Since the White House ordered the recall of two flights of rescue aircraft while we were still under attack and calling for help which ensured they wouldn’t be opposed by Sixth Fleet aircraft, how could they object?

by Joe Meadors

On July 31, 2017, President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to PFC James McCloughan for his actions in Vietnam on May 13-15, 1967.

His citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Private First Class James C. McCloughan, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Private First Class [James] C. McClenaghan distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty from May 13th through 15th, 1969, while serving as a combat medic with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.

The company air assaulted into an area near Tam Ky and Nui Yon Hill. On May 13th, with complete disregard for his life, he ran 100 meters in an open field through heavy fire to rescue a comrade too injured to move and carried him to safety. That same day, 2nd Platoon was ordered to search the area near Nui Yon Hill when the platoon was ambushed by a large North Vietnamese Army force and sustained heavy casualties.

With complete disregard for his life and 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 entire body, refused evacuation to safety in order to remain at the battle site with his fellow soldiers who were heavily outnumbered by the North Vietnamese Army forces.

On May 14th, 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 2nd North Vietnamese Army Division and an element of 700 soldiers from a Viet Cong regiment descended upon Charlie Company’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 the 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 May 15th, 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 through 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 Americal Division, and the United States Army.

Nobody disputes the fact that Spec 5 McCloughan deserves the Medal of Honor or that he deserves to be awarded the Medal of Honor at the White House even if his actions took place in Viet Nam 48 years ago.

USS Liberty Commanding Officer Captain William McGonagle was awarded the Medal of Honor during a hastily arranged low-key ceremony at the Washington Naval Shipyard. And this after the Israelis were asked if they had any issue with Capt. McGonagle being awarded the Medal of Honor. The Israelis approved the Medal of Honor so the US government went ahead with the ceremony.

We feel that the Medal of Honor should be re-presented to Capt. McGonagle’s family where the ceremony should have been conducted in the first place – in the White House.

If you agree, call the White House and let them know.

White House Comments: 202-456-1111
White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414

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Joe Meadors

Writer, blogger at USS Liberty Veterans

Joe Meadors grew up in Saudi Arabia and spent 22 years living in the Kingdom.

He was aboard the USS Liberty when the ship was attacked by the Israeli Defense Forces in 1967 and has been in the forefront of the effort to ensure the US government finally investigates the attack.He also participated in Freedom Flotilla I in 2010 whose goal was to break the blockade of Gaza only to be brutally attacked by the IDF who killed 9 human rights activists on the MV Mavi Marmara.

The death of one American citizen on the Mavi Marmara elicited nary a peep of outrage or condemnation from the State Department.This follows the outrageous precedent the State Department initiated when 34 Americans were killed on the USS Liberty which was followed by silence from the State Department.Meadors is an eye-witness to and a victim of this policy.

Meadors has also participated in Freedom Flotillas II, III and IV in the effort to break the immoral blockade of Gaza.

His background gives him a unique perspective as an American citizen when it comes to issues involving the Middle East.

He will be sharing that perspective in his articles for The Arab Daily News.

He can be reached at [email protected].

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