Washington, D.C. – On March 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump presided over a solemn ceremony in the East Room of the White House, bestowing the Medal of Honor—the United States’ highest military decoration—upon three U.S. Army soldiers for their extraordinary acts of valor. Two of the awards were presented posthumously, recognizing sacrifices made in World War II, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. The event highlighted the enduring legacy of American service members’ bravery across generations.
The recipients included Master Sgt. Roderick “Roddie” W. Edmonds (posthumous), Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis (posthumous), and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson. Each soldier’s story exemplifies selflessness and courage under extreme circumstances.
Master Sgt. Roderick “Roddie” W. Edmonds (Posthumous)
During World War II, as a prisoner of war in Germany’s Stalag IXA camp in 1945, Edmonds, then the senior non-commissioned officer among 1,200 American POWs, defied Nazi orders to segregate Jewish prisoners. When commanded to identify over 200 Jewish-American soldiers under threat of execution, he instructed all prisoners to stand together, declaring their unity. Facing a pistol to his forehead, Edmonds refused to comply, citing the Geneva Convention and warning of post-war accountability. His defiance prevented the segregation and likely saved lives. Later, he led a resistance that forced the Germans to abandon the camp as Allied forces approached.
Edmonds’ family accepted the medal on his behalf, honoring his moral courage that inspired his fellow captives.
Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis (Posthumous)
In Afghanistan on August 28, 2013, during a fierce enemy assault on Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Ollis displayed unwavering heroism. Amid explosions, suicide vests, and heavy fire, he ensured his team’s safety before reentering the fray without full protective gear. Teaming with a wounded Polish coalition officer, Ollis advanced on the attackers, engaging them directly. When an insurgent wearing a suicide vest charged, Ollis positioned himself as a human shield, firing until the threat was neutralized—but the detonation mortally wounded him. His actions saved the officer’s life and helped repel the assault.
Ollis’ family received the award, commemorating his ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terror.
Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson (Retired)
On September 14, 1968, in Vietnam near Loc Ninh, then-Staff Sgt. Richardson led his platoon through intense enemy fire from a North Vietnamese battalion. He repeatedly braved machine gun barrages to rescue three severely wounded comrades. Realizing his unit was surrounded, he scaled Hill 222—a enemy base camp—under fire to direct tactical air strikes. Wounded by a sniper, he persisted for seven hours, calling in close-support strikes that forced the enemy to retreat. His leadership saved the lives of 85 fellow soldiers, and he refused evacuation to remain with his men.
Richardson, now retired, accepted the medal personally, reflecting on the bonds of brotherhood in combat.
President Trump, in remarks during the ceremony, praised the honorees as embodiments of American heroism, stating that their stories remind the nation of the profound costs of freedom. The event drew military leaders, family members, and dignitaries, underscoring the Medal of Honor’s rarity and significance.
This ceremony not only celebrates individual valor but also pays tribute to all who serve, ensuring their legacies endure.