[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 160 (Thursday, November 6, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S14178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. STABENOW:
  S. 1834. 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 Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.
   Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce a bill that 
would waive rigid time limitations in order to allow the Medal of Honor 
to be awarded to Gary Lee McKiddy, of Miamisburg, OH, for acts of valor 
while a helicopter crew chief and door gunner with the 1st Cavalry 
Division during the Vietnam War. There is a companion bill in the House 
of Representatives, H.R. 369, which was introduced by Representative 
Sander Levin and is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of forty-three 
Members of Congress.
   I think it is important that my colleagues hear the heroic story of 
Sergeant Gary Lee McKiddy. Sergeant McKiddy served with the 1st Cavalry 
Division in Vietnam. He was a helicopter crew chief and a door gunner. 
On May 6, 1970, Sergeant McKiddy's helicopter came under enemy fire and 
received several damaging blows, causing the helicopter to crash and 
start burning. Through investigations, the Army arrived at the 
conclusion that Sergeant McKiddy was thrown free of the helicopter and 
was out of harm's way, but bravely returned to the burning helicopter 
and found Specialist Four James Skaggs, who was unconscious, and 
carried him to safety. Sergeant McKiddy then returned to the wreckage 
to help rescue the pilot, Warrant Officer Tommy Whiddon, when the 
aircraft's fuel cells exploded, killing Warrant Officer Whiddon and 
Sergeant McKiddy.
   I think we all can agree that this is an incredible story of 
bravery, honor, and selflessness. Specialist Four Skaggs wrote in a 
letter, ``Gary McKiddy was awarded the Silver Star for these acts of 
heroism but not the Medal of Honor because there were no witnesses. I 
don't understand how he could be awarded the Silver Star based on this 
information but no the Medal of Honor. There has never been any doubt 
in my mind about what happened that day. I am totally convinced Gary 
McKiddy earned and deserves the Medal of Honor.''
   Sergeant McKiddy's brother, Rick, lives in Warren, MI. Rick McKiddy, 
other family members, and Specialist Four Skaggs have been fighting for 
Sergeant McKiddy's Medal of Honor for 20 years to no avail. They've 
contacted countless persons at the Pentagon and have taken their case 
to anyone who will listen. They've exhausted their resources. I think 
that Sergeant McKiddy deserves a second chance. It is time for Congress 
to act.
   As we all know, the Medal of Honor is defined as ``the highest award 
for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon 
an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.'' 
Unfortunately, the time limit for the application for the Medal of 
Honor ran out before an application was submitted on Sergeant McKiddy's 
behalf. The bill that I am introducing today waives the time limit on 
the application and requests that the President award Sergeant McKiddy 
the Medal of Honor.
   With Veteran's Day quickly approaching, I think this is a very 
fitting way to honor not only Sergeant McKiddy, but all of those men 
and women who have given their lives for our country.
   I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1834

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO AWARD MEDAL OF HONOR TO GARY LEE 
                   MCKIDDY FOR VALOR DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

       (a) Waiver of Time Limitations.--Notwithstanding the time 
     limitations in section 3744(b) of title 10, United States 
     Code, or any other time limitation, the President is 
     authorized and requested to award the Medal of Honor under 
     section 3741 of such title to Gary Lee McKiddy, of 
     Miamisburg, Ohio, for the acts of valor referred to in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Action Described.--The acts of valor referred to in 
     subsection (a) are the conspicuous acts of gallantry and 
     intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of 
     duty of Gary Lee McKiddy, between October 25, 1969, and May 
     6, 1970, and particularly on May 6, 1970, the day he died 
     during a combat operation in Cambodia while serving as a 
     Specialist Four in the 1st Cavalry Division of the United 
     States Army.
       (c) Posthumous Award.--The Medal of Honor may be awarded 
     under this section posthumously as provided in section 3752 
     of title 10, United States Code.
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