Trending Now - Trump Honors Three Soldiers With Medal of Honor at White House

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds (posthumously awarded)

Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis (posthumously awarded)

Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson

Linda Ollis and Robert Ollis (accepted the Medal of Honor on behalf of Michael H. Ollis)

Chris Edmonds (accepted the Medal of Honor on behalf of Roderick W. Edmonds)

Polish Lt. Karol Cierpica (saved by Michael H. Ollis)

WHAT:

President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army soldiers on March 2, 2026.

The awards were given for acts of bravery during military service:

Roderick W. Edmonds for leadership and resistance as a POW in Germany during World War II.

Michael H. Ollis for saving a Polish Army officer's life in Afghanistan.

Terry P. Richardson for actions during the Vietnam War credited with saving the lives of 85 service members.

Trump stated, “There’s no ceremony that can be more important than this.”

Trump described bravery, saying, “You never really know who’s brave and who’s not until they’re tested.”

WHERE:

The ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

The Medal of Honor ceremony occurred on March 2, 2026.

Roderick W. Edmonds enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941.

Edmonds was involved in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.

The incident involving Edmonds occurred on January 26, 1945.

Terry P. Richardson's actions took place on September 14, 1968.

Michael H. Ollis was killed in action on August 28, 2013, just weeks before his 25th birthday.

WHY:

The Medal of Honor is awarded for combat service that goes beyond the call of duty and risks one’s life.

HOW:

Roderick W. Edmonds led 1,200 American POWs to present themselves for roll call to prevent the execution of 200 Jewish American soldiers.

Terry P. Richardson directed airstrikes while under enemy fire and after being wounded.

Michael H. Ollis shielded a wounded Polish officer from an insurgent, resulting in his own death when the insurgent detonated a suicide vest.

On March 2, 2026, President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army soldiers for their extraordinary acts of bravery during military service, with the ceremony held in the East Room of the White House. Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds was recognized for his leadership as a POW in World War II, Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis was honored posthumously for saving a Polish officer's life in Afghanistan, and Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson received the medal for his courageous actions during the Vietnam War. Trump emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating, “There’s no ceremony that can be more important than this,” and highlighted the true nature of bravery, saying, “You never really know who’s brave and who’s not until they’re tested.”