Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. (March 25, 2025): Our nation honors veterans of the Vietnam War this week to recognize their service our nation. In this photo by the Army’s Elizabeth Fraser, Medal of Honor recipients former Army Private First Class Kenneth David, left, and former Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Allan Kellogg Jr. take part in a wreath-laying ceremony in commemoration of National Medal of Honor Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A generation of Americans served in various capacities during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975. In all, 58,148 were killed and 75,000 severely disabled with 240 troops being awarded the Medal of Honor. Two of these recipients came to Arlington to remember their fallen comrades.
On the night of March 11, 1970, Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Allan Kellogg Jr. along with others were attempting to evacuate a fellow Marine when the enemy hurled a hand grenade into their midst. Without hesitation, Gunny Kellog forced the grenade into the mud and threw his body over it, absorbing the blast from its detonation. In doing so, he prevented serious injury or possible death to several of his fellow Marines. Despite suffering multiple injuries to his chest and right shoulder, Kellogg continued to direct the efforts of his men until all were able to maneuver to safety.
PFC David was a radio-telephone operator with Company D, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division on May 7, 1970, when he came under intense enemy fire. During the ensuing firefight, the wounded who were being assembled at the center of the perimeter were being deliberately targeted by the enemy. PFC David abandoned his radio and leaped from his position to draw the enemy fire away from his comrades. Constantly changing positions, PFC David managed to distract the Viet Cong long enough for the wounded troops to be airlifted to safety. Even after reinforcements arrived, PFC David refused medical care while carrying another wounded man to a sheltered position. His selfless actions saved many lives that day, earning him our nation’s highest honor.
America owes these men, and all who served in Vietnam, a debt we can never repay.