    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 1, 2002]
    [Pages 701-703]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Medal of Honor Posthumously to
    Captain Ben L. Salomon and Captain Jon E. Swanson
    May 1, 2002

        Good afternoon, and welcome to the White House, and welcome to our
    beautiful Rose Garden. We gather in tribute to two

    [[Page 702]]

    young men who died long ago in the service to America. In awarding the
    Medal of Honor to Captain Ben Salomon and Captain Jon Swanson, the
    United States acknowledges a debt that time has not diminished.
        It's my honor to welcome to the Rose Garden the Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs, Tony Principi;
    Secretary Tom White of the Army; General
    Eric Shinseki; General John Jumper; Brigadier General David Hicks, the chaplain--thank you, General Hicks for your prayer;
    Congressman Brad Sherman; Congressman Charlie
    Norwood; Congressman Mark Udall; World War II veterans; Vietnam veterans; fellow
    Americans.
        Joining us in this ceremony are four men who themselves earned the
    Medal of Honor: Barney Barnum, Al Rascon, Brian
    Thacker, and Nicky Bacon. Thank you all for coming. President Harry S. Truman said
    he would rather have earned the Medal of Honor than be the Commander in
    Chief. When you meet a veteran who wears that medal, remember the
    moment, because you are looking at one of the bravest ever to wear our
    country's uniform. We're honored to welcome these gentlemen.
        I'm also pleased to welcome the family of Captain Swanson: Sandee
    Swanson and their daughters, Holly and Brigid. We're so glad
    you all are here. I know how proud you must be of the man you have loved
    and missed for so many years. And seeing you here today, I know that Jon
    would be extremely proud.
        For Captain Ben Salomon, no living relatives remain to witness this
    moment. And even though they never met, Captain Salomon is represented
    today by a true friend, Dr. Robert West.
    Welcome, sir.
        Five years ago, Dr. West was reading about
    his fellow alumni of the University of Southern California's dental
    school. He came upon the story of Ben Salomon of the class of 1937, who
    was a surgeon in World War II and was posthumously nominated for the
    Medal of Honor. The medal was denied on a technicality. Looking into the
    matter, Dr. West found that an honest error had occurred and that
    Captain Salomon was indeed eligible to receive the Medal of Honor.
        He earned it on the day he died, July the 7th, 1944. Captain Salomon
    was serving in the Marianas Islands as a surgeon in the 27th Infantry
    Division, when his battalion came under ferocious attack by thousands of
    Japanese soldiers. The American units sustained massive casualties, and
    the advancing enemy soon descended on Captain Salomon's aid station. To
    defend the wounded men in his care, Captain Salomon killed several enemy
    soldiers who had entered the aid station. As the advance continued, he
    ordered comrades to evacuate the tent and carry away the wounded. He
    went out to face the enemy alone and was last heard shouting, ``I'll
    hold them off until you get them to safety. See you later.''
        In the moments that followed, Captain Salomon singlehandedly killed
    98 enemy soldiers, saving many American lives but sacrificing his own.
    As best the Army could tell, he was shot 24 times before he fell, more
    than 50 times after that. And when they found his body, he was still at
    his gun.
        No one who knew him is with us this afternoon. Yet, America will
    always know Benjamin Louis Salomon by the citation to be read shortly.
    It tells of one young man who was the match for 100, a person of true
    valor who now receives the honor due him from a grateful country.
        The Medal of Honor recognizes acts of bravery that no superior could
    rightly order a soldier to perform. The courage it signifies--gallant,
    intrepid service at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of
    duty--is written forever in the service record of Army Captain Jon
    Swanson.
        A helicopter pilot in the Vietnam war, Captain Swanson flew his last
    mission on his second tour of duty, on February 26th, 1971, over
    Cambodia. As allied forces on the ground came under heavy enemy fire,
    Captain Swanson was called in to provide

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    close air support. Flying at treetop level, he found and engaged the
    enemy, exposing himself to intense fire from the ground. He ran out of
    heavy ordnance, yet continued to drop smoke grenades to mark other
    targets for nearby gunships.
        Captain Swanson made it back to safety, his ammunition nearly gone
    and his Scout helicopter heavily damaged. Had he stayed on the ground,
    no one would have faulted him. But he had seen more--he had seen that
    more targets needed marking to eliminate the danger to the troops on the
    ground. He volunteered to do the job himself, flying directly into enemy
    fire, until his helicopter exploded in flight.
        Captain Swanson's actions, said one fellow officer, ``were the
    highest degree of personal bravery and self-sacrifice I have ever
    witnessed.'' Others agreed, and the Medal of Honor was recommended by
    the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and by the late Admiral John McCain.
    However, only the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded, until a
    recent review of the case made clear that the Nation's highest military
    honor was in order. And so today, on what would have been his 60th
    birthday, the Medal of Honor is presented to the family of Jon Edward
    Swanson.
        The two events we recognize today took place a generation apart, but
    they represent the same tradition. That tradition of military valor and
    sacrifice has preserved our country and continues to this day. Captain
    Salomon and Captain Swanson never lived to wear this medal, but they
    will be honored forever in the memory of our country.
        And now, Commander Reynolds, will you
    please read the citations.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:11 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Brig. Gen. David Hicks, USA,
    Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Department of the Army. Following the
    President's remarks, Lt. Comdr. Steve Reynolds, USCG, Coast Guard Aide
    to the President, read the citations, and the President presented the
    medals.