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Medal of Honor for Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins and Spc. 4 Donald P. Sloat

Monday, September 15, 2014

What is it?

President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, to two United States Army Vietnam War veterans during a White House ceremony today at 1:50 p.m. EDT.

Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins (Ret.) will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during combat operations at Camp A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, March 9-12, 1966.

Spc. 4 Donald P. Sloat will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions during combat operations in the vicinity of Hawk Hill Fire Base, Republic of Vietnam, on January 17, 1970. His award will be presented to his family.

What has the Army done?

The Office of the Chief of Public affairs has created Medal of Honor microsites to pay tribute to the acts of valor of Command Sgt. Maj. Adkins and Spc. 4 Sloat. The viewers can access their biographies, citations, and interviews about the recipients’ heroism above and beyond the call of duty.

The White House ceremony will be live streamed from both the websites and live tweeted from #USArmy Twitter platform. In addition, the Army has published exclusive content for each recipient on the Army’s official Facebook page.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

In addition to today’s ceremony at the White House, the Secretary of Defense and Army senior leaders will recognize Adkins, his family and Sloat’s families during a Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at the Pentagon, scheduled for 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The ceremony will be streamed live at MOH Adkins and MOH Sloat sites.

Why is this important to the Army?

Command Sgt. Maj. Adkins and Spc. 4 Sloat displayed the attributes of a professional Soldier, and embodied the Warrior Ethos. The U.S. Army is proud of these Soldiers and glad to see their professionalism, service and sacrifice being recognized - in full view of a new generation.

Resources:

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