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.
Impact
The passing of HB 3175 would not only honor Captain Griffin's individual sacrifices but also serve as a formal acknowledgment of the valor displayed by servicemen during the Vietnam War. This action reinforces the importance of recognizing military service and valor in the history of the United States. Moreover, it aims to correct what Congress sees as an oversight in the historical record regarding the level of Griffin's heroism that was not fully appreciated at the time he was initially awarded the Silver Star.
Summary
House Bill 3175 authorizes the President of the United States to award the Medal of Honor to Thomas H. Griffin, a captain in the Army during the Vietnam War. The bill recognizes Griffin for his extraordinary acts of valor during a critical battle in Quang Ngai City from March 1 to March 3, 1969, where he displayed exceptional leadership and bravery under fire. Despite being heavily outnumbered and under constant threat, Griffin took significant risks to lead his unit and direct critical strikes against enemy positions, which ultimately resulted in the saving of many lives and played a pivotal role in the battle's outcome.
Contention
One of the notable points of contention regarding this legislation could stem from discussions around valor awards and the criteria that warrant upgrades from lower military decorations to the Medal of Honor. Critics may question whether certain actions meet the stringent requirements for such an honor, while supporters assert that Griffin's actions unequivocally reflect the extraordinary heroism that the Medal of Honor represents. Furthermore, the bill highlights the ongoing effort to ensure that deserving service members receive the recognition they have earned, sometimes long after their actions have taken place.
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Joseph M. Perez for acts of valor while serving as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War.
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Special Forces Command Sergeant Major Ramon Rodriguez of the Army for acts of valor during the Vietnam War.
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to retired Colonel Philip J. Conran for acts of valor in Laos as a member of the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Black Sea Security Act of 2023 Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023 Department of Veterans Affairs Minor Construction Threshold Adjustment Act of 2023 Ensuring Interagency Cooperation to Support Veterans Act of 2023 Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023 Beryllium Testing Fairness Act International Port Security Enforcement Act Ending China's Developing Nation Status Act Radiation Exposure Compensation Expansion Act U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2023 Department of Veterans Affairs Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act of 2023 Department of Defense Overdose Data Act of 2023 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2023 Sensible Classification Act of 2023 Classification Reform Act of 2023 Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act GRATEFUL Act Granting Recognition to Accomplished Talented Employees for Unwavering Loyalty Act Western Hemisphere Partnership Act of 2023 International Children with Disabilities Protection Act of 2023 Combating Global Corruption Act Securing Maritime Data from China Act of 2023 Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2023 American Security Drone Act of 2023 Military Service Promotion Act of 2023 FEND Off Fentanyl Act Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence Off Fentanyl Act Space Force Personnel Management Act CONVENE Act of 2023 Connecting Oceania’s Nations with Vanguard Exercises and National Empowerment Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023 Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2023 Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act of 2023 UAP Disclosure Act of 2023 Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023 Department of State Authorization Act of 2023 ADVANCE Act of 2023 Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2023