National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I am proposing the ``last servicemember standing service medal.''

Mr. Chairman, I have the privilege and responsibility to share the story of the late, great American soldier Sergeant John Eade of Toledo, Ohio.

In 1965, at aged 21, he deployed to la Drang Valley, Vietnam, as fire team leader in 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Air Cavalry Regiment.

On November 14, the single deadliest day for American forces of the war, Sergeant Eade and his team became pinned down by the Vietcong due to terrible intelligence.

By the end of that bloody day and night, he was the only surviving member of his platoon, sustaining shrapnel wounds to his legs, struck by napalm, and shot in the shoulder and abdomen. He was wounded by grenades that affected his walking for the rest of his life. His face was terribly wounded, resulting in the loss of his eye, injuries that he dealt with his entire life.

He refused to withdraw, repeatedly exposing himself to the onslaught to hold the southwestern flank.

Regrettably, the Department of Defense has yet to appropriately honor his valor and those of other soldiers who gave everything to this country with a Distinguished Service Cross because there were no witnesses to attest to his sheer heroism.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support a last servicemember standing medal that would recognize not just Sergeant Eade but all of America's greatest soldiers who continue to fight for their country against enemy forces even as every one of their squad mates gave their lives.

Please support the last servicemember standing award. I am grateful for the time allowed today.

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