Us Congress Senate Bill SB1794

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/1/23
• Refer: 6/1/23

Caption

A bill to waive time limitations in order to allow the Medal of Honor to be awarded to Gary Lee McKiddy, of Miamisburg, Ohio, for acts of valor while a helicopter crew chief and door gunner with the 1st Calvary Division during the Vietnam War.

Impact

If passed, SB1794 would provide the necessary legal framework to override existing time limitations that typically govern the awarding of military honors. This provision ensures that individuals like McKiddy, whose acts of valor were not recognized in a timely manner, can still receive the honor due to them for their service and sacrifice. The bill underscores the nation's commitment to acknowledging and honoring the sacrifices made by its veterans, particularly those who demonstrated exceptional bravery in combat.

Summary

SB1794 is a legislative proposal aimed at waiving time limitations to allow the posthumous awarding of the Medal of Honor to Gary Lee McKiddy, a veteran of the Vietnam War. The bill specifies that McKiddy exhibited extraordinary acts of gallantry and intrepidity, particularly during combat operations between October 1969 and May 1970. The text of the bill emphasizes his significant actions on May 6, 1970, the day he lost his life while serving as a helicopter crew chief and door gunner in the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States Army.

Contention

There may be discussions surrounding the implications of waiving time limitations in recognition of military honors, such as precedent concerns or the fairness of extending time limits for specific individuals. While the intention to honor veterans is widely supported, some may raise questions about how such measures could affect future applications for similar recognitions and whether this sets a precedent for bypassing standard protocols. Nonetheless, the focus in this instance is on recognizing the bravery of McKiddy and ensuring he receives the acknowledgment he deserves.