(White House Press Release, February 26, 2026)
WASHINGTON – On March 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump will award the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army Soldiers: Master Sergeant Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds, U.S. Army (posthumous), Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, U.S. Army (posthumous), and Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson, U.S. Army (Retired).
Master Sergeant Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds, U.S. Army will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty from January 27, 1945, to March 30, 1945, as a prisoner of war in Germany, while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 422d Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. Upon arrival at Stalag IXA in Ziegenhain, Germany, he was soon put to the test as Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. On the evening of January 26, 1945, the Germans announced that only Jewish-American prisoners would fall out for roll call the following morning, at the threat of execution. Master Sergeant Edmonds quickly understood that segregating more than 200 Jewish-American POWs would likely result in their persecution and possible death, so he directed his senior leaders to have all 1,200 American prisoners present themselves for roll call. The following morning, the Nazi Commandant became incredulous after realizing that so many Americans were standing in formation. Master Sergeant Edmonds bravely resisted his fury, while also recounting the rights afforded to all prisoners under the Geneva Convention. Still enraged, the Commandant removed his pistol, pressed it hard against Master Sergeant Edmonds’ forehead between his eyes and demanded that he order all Jewish-American prisoners to step forward, or he would be shot. With unwavering courage at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, Master Sergeant Edmonds fearlessly held his ground, refusing to concede and verbally warned the Commandant that if he executed him, he would be prosecuted for war crimes once the war was over. Finally, the Commandant, who was visibly reddened with anger, lowered his weapon and returned to his office without further attempts to segregate the Jewish-American prisoners. Master Sergeant Edmonds’ actions inspired his fellow POWs. Several weeks later, in March 1945, as Allied forces were rapidly advancing toward the area, the Germans ordered all prisoners to assemble outside the barracks for evacuation farther east to another camp. Fully intending to undermine his enemy captors, Master Sergeant Edmonds ordered all American prisoners to form in front of the barracks, and when the enemy transports arrived, they would break ranks and rush back to their barracks. Without regard for his own life Master Sergeant Edmonds gallantly led these prisoners in a relentless pursuit of opposition and resistance, forcing the Germans to abandon the camp leaving the 1,200 American prisoners behind.
Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as an Infantryman to Company B, 2d Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. On August 28, 2013, a complex enemy attack involving vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, suicide vests, indirect fire and small arms fire was launched against the FOB. In response, he ordered his fellow Soldiers inside a building to move to bunkers for refuge from the enemy fire. After accounting for his Soldiers, he reentered the building to check for any casualties, moving toward the enemy force who had penetrated the FOB perimeter. He located a Coalition Forces Officer, and together they moved toward the point of attack without their personal protection equipment and armed only with rifles. Upon reaching the attack point, Staff Sergeant Ollis and his comrade linked up with other friendly forces and began a coordinated effort to repulse the enemy from the airfield and adjacent buildings. While under continuous small arms, indirect, and rocket-propelled grenade fires, Staff Sergeant Ollis and his comrades moved from position to position engaging the enemy with accurate and effective fire. While fighting alongside the FOB perimeter, an insurgent came around a corner and immediately engaged them with small arms fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he positioned himself between the insurgent and the Coalition Forces Officer, who had been wounded and unable to walk. Staff Sergeant Ollis fired on the insurgent and incapacitated him, but as he approached the insurgent, the latter’s suicide vest was denotated, mortally wounding him.
Then-Staff Sergeant Terry P. Richardson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on September 14, 1968, while serving as the Lima Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the vicinity of Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, he was on a reconnaissance mission and was engaged by intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Staff Sergeant Richardson braved heavy machine gun fire on three occasions to rescue three severely wounded Soldiers. Upon returning to his unit, he realized that his entire Company was completely surrounded. He again braved enemy fire to advance to the top of Hill 222, his Company’s objective for the day, to secure a vantage point for directing tactical air strikes. Once on Hill 222, he realized it was an enemy regiment’s base camp. In the midst of the enemy position, Staff Sergeant Richardson skillfully directed air strikes before being wounded by an enemy sniper. Staff Sergeant Richardson continued to direct air strikes within close proximity of his position and that of his unit for seven more hours. After the enemy had fled, Staff Sergeant Richardson was found alive. He declined medical evacuation to stay with his Soldiers. His gallant and selfless actions on September 14, 1968, spared the lives of 85 fellow soldiers.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEDAL OF HONOR:
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while:
- engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
- engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
