President Obama to Award Medal of Honor
Source: The White House
WASHINGTON, DCOn May 16, President Barack Obama will award Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.
Specialist Sabo will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in combat on May 10, 1970, while serving as a rifleman in Company D, 3d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Se San, Cambodia.
On that day, when he and his platoon were ambushed by a large enemy force, Specialist Sabo immediately charged the enemy position, killing several enemy soldiers. He then assaulted an enemy flanking force, successfully drawing their fire away from friendly soldiers and ultimately forcing the enemy to retreat. While securing a re-supply of ammunition, an enemy grenade landed nearby. Specialist Sabo picked it up, threw it, and shielded a wounded comrade with his own body - absorbing the brunt of the blast and saving his comrade's life. Although wounded by the grenade blast, he continued to charge the enemy's bunker. After receiving several serious wounds from automatic weapons fire, he crawled towards the enemy emplacement and, when in position, threw a grenade into the bunker. The resulting explosion silenced the enemy fire, but also ended Specialist Sabos life. His indomitable courage and complete disregard for his own safety saved the lives of many of his platoon members.
Specialist Sabo's widow, Rose Mary Sabo-Brown and his brother, George Sabo, will join the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service and sacrifice.
Read more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/16/president-obama-award-medal-honor
Note: There are other sources reporting on this, but I have used the White House link since they are the original source.
dballance
(5,756 posts)Sounds like he really deserves it.
Meiko
(1,076 posts)...but 1970..WOW!
BumRushDaShow
(129,522 posts)Just wow. True heroes, in the heat of a moment with just one focus, just keep on keeping on.
Congrats and condolences to the family after all these many years. This was well-deserved.
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)It led to a messy protest on May 4th at a university in Ohio named Kent State.
nxylas
(6,440 posts)How dare the Kenyan usurper award Medals of Honor. Would St Ronnie (PBUH) have awarded Medals of Honor to soldiers? It's a disgrace! (© All Republicans)
Enrique
(27,461 posts)jonthebru
(1,034 posts)When I read stories like this, I wonder if I would have the bravery to behave in such a manner.