The president on Thursday signed into law three measures authorizing the awarding of the Medal of Honor to U.S. service members for acts of valor in combat.
Among the bills signed was H.R. 3377, which authorizes the president to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers Jr. for his actions while serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
The president also signed H.R. 7194, known as the “Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act,” authorizing the award to Nicholas Dockery for acts of valor while serving in Afghanistan as a member of the United States Army.
A third measure, H.R. 7211, authorizes the Medal of Honor to be awarded to John W. Ripley for his actions during the Vietnam War. The bill also includes additional provisions related to the award.
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration, awarded to service members who distinguish themselves through acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The newly signed laws pave the way for formal recognition of the three men’s service and heroism.