To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Thomas H. Griffin for acts of valor as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War.
This bill would authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Thomas H. Griffin (Thomas Helmut Griffin) for acts of valor as a U.S. Army officer during the Vietnam War. It acknowledges that Griffin previously received the Silver Star for his actions during a three-day battle near Quang Ngai City in March 1969 while serving as a captain and Senior Advisor with the 4th/5th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division (ARVN). The bill presents a narrative of his extreme bravery—leading and directing assaults under heavy fire, evacuating and protecting wounded soldiers, and repeatedly exposing himself to danger to save others—and notes supporting letters from former commanders and lawmakers advocating for upgrading his recognition. Crucially, the bill overrides timing limits that might otherwise prevent awarding the Medal of Honor, authorizing the President to award it under the Medal of Honor statute for the described acts of valor, even though they occurred decades ago.
Key Points
- 1The bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Thomas H. Griffin for acts of valor during March 1–3, 1969, in Vietnam, for which his Silver Star was originally awarded.
- 2It provides a detailed account of Griffin’s actions: leading his battalion under heavy enemy fire, directing air and artillery strikes, crossing open ground to advise and direct operations, assaulting an enemy machine-gun bunker, carrying wounded comrades to safety, and continuing to lead while wounded.
- 3The bill cites findings that new and substantive evidence justified upgrading Griffin’s award from the Silver Star to the Medal of Honor, including statements from leaders who supported the upgrade.
- 4It overrides time limitations in 10 U.S.C. 7274 (and any other time limits on awarding certain medals) to permit the Medal of Honor award.
- 5The authorization applies specifically to the actions described in the bill, recognizing Griffin’s acts while serving as a captain in the Army during the Vietnam War.