At President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address to the nation, he did something extraordinary. He included the awarding of two Medals of Honor, to bipartisan chants of “USA, USA, USA” in the chamber.

One Medal went to a 100-year-old Veteran Navy fighter pilot, CAPT Royce Williams, and the other to Army Special Forces pilot CW5 Eric Slover.

This week started with a White House ceremony for three more recipients: MSG Roderick W. Edmonds (Posthumous), World War II; CSM Terry P. Richardson, Vietnam War; and SSG Michael H. Ollis (Posthumous), Operation Enduring Freedom. The families of Edmonds and Ollis received the awards on behalf of the recipients.

As I have noted before, regarding long delays between the service rendered and its recognition, Medal of Honor nominees are, first and foremost, humble warriors. Inherent in their willingness to “lay down one’s life for his friends” is the ultimate expression of humility, valuing the lives of others above one’s own. Thus, it is not in their nature to advocate for their personal recognition. The advocacy to upgrade a warrior’s prior decoration to a Medal of Honor falls to others — often those with whom the recipient served.

Such is the case with fellow Tennessean Roddie Edmonds, a Knoxville native. I previously profiled his extraordinary actions in detail. Roddie died in 1985, taking the story of his heroic actions to his grave, but three decades after his death, his defense of Jewish POWs would finally be appropriately recognized.

Shortly after his burial, Roddie’s wife, Mary Ann, gave his son Chris several diaries Roddie kept while a POW. Chris, now pastor of Oakwood Baptist Church in Knoxville, found one entry that noted: “I’ve made new friends and lost some. I don’t know if all my boys are alive or not, but I pray that they are. It all seems like a bad dream.” As Chris read the diaries further, he began researching the account of his father’s steadfast refusal to identify Jewish POWs. Over the next two decades, Chris was able to find Jewish soldiers his father had saved — and they verified his actions. His family received Roddie’s posthumous award this week.

Accordingly, Roddie’s Medal of Honor citation notes:

Master Sergeant Roderick W. Edmonds distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty from January 27, 1945, to March 30, 1945, as a prisoner of war in Germany, while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 422d Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. Upon arrival at Stalag IXA in Ziegenhain, Germany, he was soon put to the test as Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. On the evening of January 26, 1945, the Germans announced that only Jewish-American prisoners would fall out for roll call the following morning, at the threat of execution. Master Sergeant Edmonds quickly understood that segregating more than 200 Jewish-American prisoners of war would likely result in their persecution and possible death, so he directed his senior leaders to have all 1,200 American prisoners present themselves for roll call.

It continues:

The following morning, the Nazi Commandant became incredulous after realizing that so many Americans were standing in formation. Master Sergeant Edmonds bravely resisted his fury, while also recounting the rights afforded to all prisoners under the Geneva Convention. Still enraged, the Commandant removed his pistol, pressed it hard against Master Sergeant Edmonds’ forehead between his eyes and demanded that he order all Jewish-American prisoners to step forward, or he would be shot. With unwavering courage at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, Master Sergeant Edmonds fearlessly held his ground, refusing to concede and verbally warned the Commandant that if he executed him, he would be prosecuted for war crimes once the war was over. Finally, the Commandant, who was visibly reddened with anger, lowered his weapon and returned to his office without further attempts to segregate the Jewish-American prisoners. Master Sergeant Edmonds’ actions inspired his fellow prisoners of war.

Furthermore:

Several weeks later, in March 1945, as Allied forces were rapidly advancing toward the area, the Germans ordered all prisoners to assemble outside the barracks for evacuation farther east to another camp. Fully intending to undermine his enemy captors, Master Sergeant Edmonds ordered all American prisoners to form in front of the barracks, and when the enemy transports arrived, they would break ranks and rush back to their barracks. Without regard for his own life Master Sergeant Edmonds gallantly led these prisoners in a relentless pursuit of opposition and resistance, forcing the Germans to abandon the camp leaving the 1,200 American prisoners behind. The full extent of his bravery, unbending will, and courageous leadership would be realized when soldiers from 3d U.S. Army liberated the camp on March 30, 1945.

His citation concludes, “Master Sergeant Edmonds’ conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

The second recipient was CSM Terry P. Richardson, a native of Cass City, Michigan. Terry graduated from Akron-Fairgrove School in 1966 and worked for his family business until he was drafted in 1967 at age 19.

He completed basic combat training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and went to Fort McClellan, Alabama, for Infantry Advanced Individual Training. Selected for the Non-Commissioned Officer School at Fort Benning, Georgia, he graduated with honors and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was then assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana, before receiving orders to deploy to Vietnam with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, in May 1968 as the squad leader for 1st Platoon.

His heroic actions during a reconnaissance mission near the Cambodian border on 14 September 1968 are noted in his Medal of Honor citation:

Staff Sergeant Terry P. Richardson’s company was tasked with the mission of securing Hill 222 in hostile enemy territory near the Cambodian border. It was a hilly area covered with rubber trees. Lima Platoon was assigned by the company commander to be on point for the mission. Staff Sergeant Richardson directed one of his squads to be the point element leading the way. Shortly after the assault began, three of the squad members became severely wounded and pinned down between three enemy machine gun bunkers. Going back on three separate occasions, Staff Sergeant Richardson advanced forward under heavy enemy fire and recovered his wounded Soldiers between heavy machine gun fire. By the time he was able to make it back to join his unit, his entire company had been completely surrounded by the enemy.

His citation continues:

Staff Sergeant Richardson gave instructions to his soldiers to cover him and then, without regard for his own safety, advanced to the top of Hill 222 under enemy fire for better sight lines to direct the tactical air strikes. He began to direct the tactical air strikes and shortly thereafter became wounded by an enemy sniper. Staff Sergeant Richardson continued directing the tactical strikes for seven more hours, before the enemy broke contact with him and his company. Six soldiers from his platoon found him, still alive but wounded and unable to hear due to his proximity to the ordnance dropped all around him. Staff Sergeant Richardson declined medical evacuation for his gunshot wound and requested that he be allowed to stay to lead his soldiers. The damage caused to the enemy by his direction of the tactical air strikes allowed his company to secure Hill 222 unopposed saving the lives of 82 fellow soldiers who remained in Alpha Company.

His citation concludes: “Altogether, his actions directly resulted in 85 lives being spared on that fateful day. Staff Sergeant Richardson’s conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

The third recipient was an Operation Enduring Freedom soldier, SSG Michael H. Ollis.

Michael was a native of Staten Island, New York. His service inspiration came from the service of his father and grandfathers. He was 13 when the 9/11 Islamist attack on our nation occurred. He joined an ROTC program in high school, and at age 17, with his parents’ permission, he joined the Delayed Entry Program, taking his official enlistment oath in August 2006.

His initial training was at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then he served for three years as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle driver during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He returned stateside to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he earned his Air Assault qualification. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, for his first OEF combat tour.

Returning home for additional training at Fort Benning, where he completed Airborne and Ranger training, he deployed for a second tour in Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni.

His heroic actions on 28 August 2013 are detailed in his Medal of Honor citation:

On this date, a complex enemy attack involving multiple vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, suicide vests, indirect fire and small arms fire was launched against Forward Operating Base Ghazni. Staff Sergeant Ollis ordered his fellow soldiers who were locating in a building to move to bunkers to shield themselves from enemy fire. After accounting for his soldiers, he reentered the building to check fo any casualties and then moved toward the enemy force that had penetrated the perimeter of the Forward Operating Base. Staff Sergeant Ollis located a Coalition Forces Officer and together they moved toward the point of attack without their personal protection equipment and armed with only their rifles. Upon reaching the attack point he and his comrade linked up with other friendly forces and began a coordinated effort to repulse the enemy from the airfield and adjacent buildings. While under continuous small arms, indirect and rocket propelled grenade fire, Staff Sergeant Ollis and his comrades moved from position to position engaging the enemy with accurate and effective fire.

His citation continues:

Fighting along the perimeter of the Forward Operating Base, an insurgent came around a corner, whom Staff Sergeant Ollis immediately engaged with three rifle rounds. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Ollis positioned himself between the insurgent and the Coalition Forces Officer who had been wounded in both legs and was unable to walk. Staff Sergeant Ollis fired on the insurgent and incapacitated him, but as he approached the down insurgent, the insurgent’s suicide vest detonated and mortally wounded him.

His citation concludes, “Staff Sergeant Ollis’ exceptional courage and complete disregard of personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.”

MSG Edmonds, SSG Ollis, and CSM Richardson: Ordinary men faced with extraordinary circumstances, they summoned the greatest measure of courage to place their lives in imminent peril to save others. Their examples of valor — humble American Patriots defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty — is eternal. Live your life worthy of their sacrifice.

“Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

(Read more Profiles of Valor here.)

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776

Follow Mark Alexander on X/Twitter.

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