Fort Bragg hosts Medal of Honor heroes and reenlistment ceremony
FORT BRAGG, NC (WTVD) -- Patriotism and tradition were on full display Wednesday as soldiers, families, and dignitaries gathered at Fort Bragg to honor heroism during the Medal of Honor Valor Tour.
Dozens gathered for a rare chance to witness living history, celebrating service members who chose to answer the call one more time.
Of the only 65 living Medal of Honor recipients, six attended the event at Fort Bragg: Retired Major Patrick Brady, Specialist Four Kenneth David, Retired Command Sergeant Major Gary Lee Littrell, Retired Colonel Walter J. Marm Jr., Specialist 5 James C. McCloughan, and Retired Command Sgt. Major Matthew Williams.
With smiles on their faces, the recipients arrived at Fort Bragg to applause.
The second annual American Airlines Valor Tour, which also stops in Norfolk, Virginia and at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, is dedicated to ensuring the legacy of courage and selfless service continues, honoring those who put country before themselves.
"We've got four Vietnam recipients with us, which I think is a real treat. I'm still honored to get to talk to these folks and share some of their history and legacy," said Retired Command Sgt. Major Matthew Williams, U.S. Army.
Inside the Green Ramp Hangar, tradition and connection were at the heart of the ceremony.
Medal of Honor recipient Specialist Four Kenneth David administered the oath to more than 80 reenlisting soldiers, including Staff Sgt. Jawun North, who has served for eight years.
"I actually never met the Medal of Honor recipient, which is pretty cool. To see what they went through in what they went through, I think that's a motivation for me to keep going," said North, of the 27th Engineer Battalion.
For Williams, who was stationed at Fort Bragg and risked his life to treat and evacuate the wounded during a mountain assault in Afghanistan, the tour is about sacrifice and commitment.
Retired Command Sgt. Major Matthew Williams ' story
On April 6, 2008, Matthew Williams was serving as a weapons sergeant with Operational Detachment Alpha 3336 in Afghanistan's remote Shok Valley. During a mission in Nuristan Province, Williams and his team came under heavy enemy fire that left several soldiers wounded and trapped.
Despite relentless machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire, Williams led a daring counterattack across icy, hazardous terrain and a frigid river to reach those pinned down. He organized suppressive fire, repeatedly risked his life to provide medical aid, and helped evacuate the wounded down a steep mountainside. Afterward, Williams climbed back up to continue the fight, restored communications, and led Afghan commandos in a prolonged counterattack that kept the unit from being overrun. During the extraction, he carried wounded soldiers through enemy fire to waiting helicopters, making sure everyone was safely evacuated.
Originally, Williams received the Silver Star for his bravery. Following a review, the award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest recognition for valor in combat. He received the Medal from President Donald Trump at a White House ceremony on October 30, 2019.
"Every time I put this medal on it for the folks that they never got a chance to wear it and for the ones that I know that have done more heroic things that I'll ever think about doing but just weren't recognized for it," Williams said.
He added, "To talk to some of these folks and learn about what training they're doing and how they're being prepared to go go do our country's bidding. It's refreshing. It's awesome."
For soldiers like Sgt. First Class Kenterius Devine who served for 12 years, the event was a powerful reminder of purpose.
"This is my calling and this is thing that came from me. And that God blessed me to do continue to protect each other and protect myself as well," Devine said.
