| Few, this brave, live to talk about their acts of heroism that lead to their receipt of the distinguished Medal of Honor. Retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell, retired U.S. Army Col. Robert Howard and retired U.S. Marine Corps Capt. John McGinty, are all Medal of Honor recipients and Vietnam veterans who will be speaking to military personnel stationed in Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq March 13-April 2.
“It is an honor to have these respected Medal of Honor recipients speaking to the men and women who are bravely defending our country in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Army Capt. Trevor Garrett, Armed Forces Entertainment circuit manager for the Southwest Asia circuit. “These honorable guests inspire and reaffirm our troops’ pride in their mission and in the camaraderie they have with their military family.”
The Medal of Honor is the highest award bestowed upon an individual serving in the United States armed services. Since March 25, 1863 there have been 3,464 Medals of Honor awarded for valor in action against an enemy force. Today, there are 107 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Command Sergeant Major Littrell received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 4-8, 1970 in Vietnam. As a sergeant first class, Command Sergeant Major Littrell served as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23rd Battalion. When the battalion was ambushed and attacked for four days straight, Command Sergeant Major Littrell single-handedly bolstered defense efforts by bravely abandoning positions of relative safety to direct artillery and air support. Command Sergeant Major Littrell continuously moved to the weakest points within the battalion distributing ammunition, strengthening faltering defenses, caring for the wounded and shouting encouragement to the Vietnamese allies in their own language.
Colonel Howard received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Dec. 30, 1968 in Vietnam. As a sergeant first class, Colonel Howard was the platoon sergeant of a combined American-Vietnamese platoon. When ambushed by a larger force, Colonel Howard took control of the platoon from the wounded platoon leader. Colonel Howard’s actions while wounded and under enemy fire allowed his platoon to repulse the enemy attacks and successfully evacuate the wounded soldiers. He was later commissioned and retired from the United States Army as a colonel.
Captain McGinty received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 18, 1966 in Vietnam. As a staff sergeant, Captain McGinty was a platoon leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. Tasked with guarding the rear of the battalion, his platoon was attacked by an 800-man enemy force. Ignoring his wounds, he kept the platoon together and repelled repeated waves of attacks. Directing supporting aircraft and artillery, as well as using his personal weapon, Captain McGinty led his platoon in routing the larger enemy force. He was later commissioned as an officer and retired a Captain.
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Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment.
Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
To learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society visit www.cmohs.org
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