[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

[[Page 703]]

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.