Buckeye Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 2, 2023, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced legislation that would enable the president to posthumously honor Sergeant Gary Lee McKiddy, a Miamisburg, Ohio Vietnam veteran, with the Congressional Medal of Honor. The legislation would waive the statutory time limit that currently prevents the President from granting Sergeant McKiddy with the award.

“On May 6, 1970, Sergeant McKiddy made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. His selfless act exemplifies his leadership and commitment to his fellow troops. Sergeant McKiddy was a true American hero and the Congressional Medal of Honor is long overdue,” said Brown.

“Sergeant McKiddy served our country honorably and courageously—making the ultimate sacrifice to rescue his fellow servicemembers,” said Stabenow. “I’m honored to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation so that he can receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

“Sergeant Gary McKiddy was a true American hero. At just 20 years old, he laid down his life to save the lives of others. He embodied the greatest virtues of our nation's armed services and is deserving of our highest military honor,” said Vance.

“Sergeant Gary McKiddy served our country with remarkable heroism and patriotism. While we can never repay him for making the ultimate sacrifice, we can help Sgt. McKiddy’s family and friends honor his legacy by passing this legislation to posthumously award him the Congressional Medal of Honor,” said Peters.  

Sergeant McKiddy was a helicopter crew chief and door gunner with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. On the morning of May 6, 1970, his helicopter came under intense enemy fire causing it to crash. The Sergeant survived the crash and was thrown free of the wreckage. McKiddy returned to the burning helicopter and carried Specialist James Skaggs to safety. Returning a second time to rescue the pilot, McKiddy was caught in the explosion of the craft’s fuel cells. The blast killed both Sergeant McKiddy and the pilot, Warrant Office Tommy Whiddon. Sergeant McKiddy was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, but never the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Current law prevents the award since the application for the Congressional Medal of Honor was not submitted prior to the expiration of the statutory time limit in October 1975. This legislation would waive the time limit and request the President award Sergeant McKiddy the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon a service member of the United States Armed Forces.

Original source can be found here.