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Army Spc. 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr., Medal of Honor recipient.
Episode 2716 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Specialist 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Army Specialist 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.
Lange, in her story, reported that Medics have one of the toughest jobs in the military — saving wounded comrades despite the danger they may face on the battlefield. Army Spec. 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. understood that commitment; he gave his own life while trying to save several of his fellow platoon members in Vietnam. For his sacrifice, he earned the Medal of Honor.
Lange added this about McWethy Jr., McWethy was born Nov. 22, 1944, in Leadville, Colorado, to Edgar and Martha. Growing up, he was active in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed being a member of the Baptist church.
McWethy was 19 and working at the Leadville post office when he was drafted into the Army in 1964. He received training as a medical specialist and was attached to Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. His unit was sent to Vietnam on Sept. 21, 1966.
After hearing another call for help, McWethy got up again and ran through the exposed area. He was wounded in the head and knocked down, but he got up and kept going, only to be hit again in the leg. In pain, he continued pushing forward until he reached more injured comrades.
For his courage, the 21-year-old earned the Medal of Honor. President Richard M. Nixon presented the medal to McWethy’s family at the White House on Oct. 16, 1969.
Listen to episode 2716 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Army Specialist 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.
