ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Five soldiers could receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, for their actions in Korea and Vietnam under the 2022 defense authorization bill.

Signed by President Joe Biden late last year, the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act also authorizes award upgrades for four soldiers who fought in Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent, better known as the Battle of Mogadishu.

The story of 1st Lt. Vernon Baker, who led his platoon in an assault on a German stronghold in the mountains of Italy during World War II, is told in the latest graphic novel in the Association of the U.S. Army’s series on recipients of the nation’s highest valor award.

Medal of Honor: Vernon Baker tells the incredible tale of one of the nation’s famed Buffalo Soldiers and how he waited more than 50 years before he was fully recognized for his courage on the battlefield.

More than 75 years after they conducted visual, sonic and radio deception against German forces during World War II, soldiers who served in the so-called “Ghost Army” will receive the Congressional Gold Medal. 

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing four new podcast episodes in February, including a podcast focusing on mental fitness and a look at leader development in the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade.

First up in the “Army Matters” series is an interview with retired Lt. Col. Daniel Johnston, who will discuss the intricacies of the brain and mental fitness. An Army physician and researcher, Johnston co-founded BrainSpan, which works to help practitioners, patients and the public build and sustain healthier and more resilient lives.

The nation’s highest award for valor was awarded Dec. 16 to three U.S. soldiers. Only one was alive to accept the Medal of Honor. The two others died from injuries suffered in their selfless acts.  

President Joe Biden described the three soldiers as having displayed “indisputable gallantry” under fire. “It is hard to explain where the soldiers got the courage they got.”  

President Joe Biden on Dec. 16 will award the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, to three soldiers for their actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the White House announced.

The men being honored are Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, who died in 2005 from severe burns after rescuing his fellow soldiers from a burning vehicle in Iraq; Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, who was killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan in 2018; and Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, who fought off suicide bombers in Afghanistan in 2013.

Alwyn Cashe

It started with the realization that Medal of Honor recipients had confronted the most difficult moment in their lives and responded with incredible courage, and it turned into a mission to tell their stories.

In his new book, In the Company of Heroes: The Inspiring Stories of Medal of Honor Recipients from America’s Longest Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, author James Kitfield sets out to tell the stories of 25 of those heroes.

Author James Kitfield will discuss his new book, which tells the stories of Medal of Honor recipients, during an upcoming webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army.

The event, part of AUSA’s Thought Leaders webinar series, will take place at 2 p.m. Eastern Nov. 16. It is free, but registration is required here.