Medal of Honor given to two Vietnam heroes
In this undated photo provided by the US Army, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins is pictured.
Army Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins, who joined the army in 1956 at the age of 22, was deployed three times to Vietnam.
During his second tour in 1966, he showed conspicuous gallantry when he and 16 other Green Berets came under heavy attack. Five of the Green Berets were killed and 12 were wounded, including Adkins, yet Adkins led days of nonstop combat. He even had to confront a tiger before being rescued.
Army Specialist Four Donald Sloat
In this undated photo provided by the US Army, Donald Paul Sloat is pictured.
Army Specialist Four Donald Sloat was killed in action at age 20 while conducting a patrol in Vietnam. On Jan. 17, 1969, a soldier triggered a hand grenade trap placed in his squad's path. He picked up the grenade to throw it away, but realizing the detonation was imminent, he shielded the blast with his own body and is credited saving the lives of three soldiers.
Sloat's brother, William Sloat of Enid, Oklahoma, accepted the medal on his behalf.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins
U.S. President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Army Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins for actions during the Vietnam War while in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15, 2014.
Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins
Army Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins salutes after U.S. President Barack Obama awards him the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War while in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15, 2014.
Army Specialist Four Donald Sloat
President Barack Obama applauds at right after presenting the Medal of Honor for Army Spc. Donald P. Sloat to his brother William Sloat, left, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Sept., 15, 2014.
Donald P. Sloat of Coweta, Okla., was killed in action on Jan. 17, 1970, at age 20. While on patrol, a soldier in his squad triggered a hand grenade trap that had been placed in their path by enemy forces. Sloat picked up the live grenade, initially to throw it away. When he realized it was about to detonate, he shielded the blast with his own body in order to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.
Army Specialist Four Donald Sloat
U.S. President Barack Obama, right, applauds after awarding the Medal of Honor posthumously to Army Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat for actions during the Vietnam War while in the East Room of the White House in Washington, September 15, 2014. Receiving the award is Sloat's brother, William Sloat, of Enid, Oklahoma, left.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel looks at U.S. President Barack Obama (L) after Obama hosted a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15, 2014.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins
U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Army Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins during an East Room ceremony at the White House Sept. 15, 2014.
Then-Sergeant First Class Adkins was awarded with the Medal of Honor for his actions during combat operations at Camp A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, on March 9 through March 12, 1966 while serving as an Intelligence Sergeant assigned to Detachment A-102, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces.
The White House
Guests walk in before U.S. President Barack Obama awards two Medals of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War while in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15, 2014.