Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at a Medal of Honor Induction Ceremony (As Delivered)
January 4, 2025
Thank you, General Milley, for that kind introduction.
And to our Medal of Honor recipients, Staff Sergeant Edwardo Canales, Jr., and Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee, congratulations.
I’m honored to be here to witness this historic moment, to stand with you and all who have served, as we welcome two more heroes into the ranks of the most courageous Americans.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award our nation can bestow. It is given to those who have performed acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.
To the American people, this medal is a symbol of the very best of our fighting forces. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made to protect our freedoms, and of the values that drive our men and women in uniform: courage, honor, sacrifice.
To those who have earned this medal, it is a recognition that — in their darkest hour — they found the light. They looked into the abyss and did not flinch. They put the lives of others before their own.
Today, we honor two such individuals. Two men who have shown us the true meaning of valor.
Staff Sergeant Edwardo Canales, Jr., was serving in Afghanistan in 2012 when he found himself in a fierce firefight with the enemy. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Staff Sergeant Canales refused to retreat. He charged into the fray, engaging the enemy with machine gun fire and grenades. He personally accounted for multiple enemy fighters and rescued a wounded comrade.
Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee was serving in Vietnam in 1966 when his unit came under heavy attack. With complete disregard for his own safety, Master Sergeant Plumlee charged into the enemy fire to rescue a wounded platoon leader. He then led his squad in a counterattack, repelling the enemy and saving the lives of several of his fellow soldiers.
The stories of Staff Sergeant Canales and Master Sergeant Plumlee are extraordinary. But the qualities that they displayed — courage, selflessness, determination — are the same qualities that have been displayed by every Medal of Honor recipient.
These men are role models for us all. They are a reminder that, even in the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances, we can rise to the occasion. We can find the courage to do what is right, to protect our fellow Americans, and to defend our freedoms.
To Staff Sergeant Canales and Master Sergeant Plumlee, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. And thank you for setting such an inspiring example for all Americans.
The Medal of Honor is a symbol of the very best of our nation. And you, our Medal of Honor recipients, are the very best of the best.
Congratulations to both of you, and welcome to the ranks of our nation’s heroes.
Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at a Medal of Honor Induction Ceremony (As Delivered)
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Defense.gov a new article on 2025-01-04 20:55 titled “Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at a Medal of Honor Induction Ceremony (As Delivered)”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
9