Trump Celebrates Three Veterans With Medal of Honor Ceremony
WHO:
ABC News - Marine Corps Col. John W. Ripley was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously; he died in 2008.
CBS News - President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Marine Corps Maj. James Capers Jr., retired Army Maj. Nicholas Dockery, and Marine Col. John W. Ripley.
NY Post - Major James Capers Jr. is an 88-year-old Vietnam veteran.
WHAT:
ABC News - Trump stated, “These are great men, great people. We thank you and we will never, ever forget you.”
ABC News - Capers was honored for risking his life during an ambush in Vietnam in 1967.
ABC News - Ripley was recognized for blowing up a crucial bridge in 1972 to halt the advance of North Vietnamese forces.
ABC News - Dockery's actions in Afghanistan in 2012 involved carrying a wounded soldier away from gunfire and performing CPR to revive him.
CBS News - Trump paid tribute to the veterans during a ceremony at the White House.
NY Post - Trump helped Major James Capers Jr. walk up on stage to receive the Medal of Honor.
WHERE:
CBS News - The ceremony took place at the White House.
WHEN:
NY Post - The Medal of Honor was awarded during a ceremony that took place on an unspecified date.
WHY:
CBS News - The ceremony was held to honor the service and sacrifices of the veterans in the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars.
HOW:
ABC News - Trump personally pinned the Medal of Honor around Capers' neck and adjusted it to ensure it was straight and level against his chest.
NY Post - Trump personally assisted Major Capers in receiving his medal during the ceremony.
(UPDATED June 19, 2026 01:54 UTC)
Marine Corps Col. John W. Ripley was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in 1972, where he blew up a crucial bridge to stop the advance of North Vietnamese forces. During the ceremony, Trump expressed gratitude, stating, “These are great men, great people. We thank you and we will never, ever forget you,” as he personally pinned the Medal of Honor around Capers' neck, who was recognized for risking his life during an ambush in Vietnam in 1967, along with Dockery, who saved a wounded soldier in Afghanistan in 2012.
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(UPDATED June 18, 2026 23:38 UTC)
President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Marine Corps Maj. James Capers Jr., retired Army Maj. Nicholas Dockery, and Marine Col. John W. Ripley during a ceremony at the White House. The event honored the service and sacrifices of these veterans from the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars, with Trump personally helping 88-year-old Major Capers walk up on stage to receive his medal. This heartfelt tribute highlighted the bravery and dedication of those who served in these conflicts.