President Obama Awards Medal of Honor to Korean War Heroes : VIDEO and transcript
- May 2, 2025
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| Pfc. Svehla’s sister, Dorothy Mathews (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) |
Pfc. Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano and Pfc. Henry Svehla were posthumously awarded the Medal Honor during a ceremony, today, at the White House.
See our previous article, U.S. Army Korean War heroes PFC. Anthony Kaho’ohanohano and PFC. Henry Svehla will receive Medals of Honor May 2, 2011.
Video and transcript of the event below.
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. Please be seated. On
behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. To our many
guests from Hawaii, aloha. And thank you, Chaplain Carver, for that
wonderful invocation.
I think we can all agree this is a good day for America. Our
country has kept its commitment to see that justice is done. The world
is safer; it is a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden.
Today, we are reminded that, as a nation, there’s nothing we can’t
do —- when we put our shoulders to the wheel, when we work together,
when we remember the sense of unity that defines us as Americans. And
we’ve seen that spirit -— that patriotism -— in the crowds that have
gathered, here outside the White House, at Ground Zero in New York, and
across the country — people holding candles, waving the flag, singing
the National Anthem — people proud to live in the United States of
America.
And we’re reminded that we are fortunate to have Americans who
dedicate their lives to protecting ours. They volunteer. They train.
They endure separation from their families. They take extraordinary
risks so that we can be safe. They get the job done. We may not always
know their names. We may not always know their stories. But they are
there, every day, on the front lines of freedom, and we are truly
blessed.
I do want to acknowledge before we begin the ceremony two
individuals who have been critical as part of my team who are here
today: First of all, I think somebody who will go down as one of the
finest Secretaries of Defense in our history, Secretary Bob Gates, who
is here. (Applause.) And sitting beside him, someone who served with
incredible valor on behalf of this country and is now somebody who I
think will go down as one of the greatest Secretaries of Veterans
Affairs in our history — Eric Shinseki. (Applause.)
Now, I have to say that as Commander-in-Chief, I could not be
prouder of our men and women in uniform. That is true now, in today’s
wars. It has been true in all of our wars. And it is why we are here
today.
Long ago, a poet of the First World War wrote of the sacrifice of young soldiers in war:
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Today, we are joined by two American families who six decades ago
gave our nation one of their own —- Private First Class Henry Svehla and
Private First Class Anthony Kaho’ohanohano.
They did not grow old. These two soldiers made the ultimate
sacrifice when they were just 19 and 21 years old. Age did not weary
them. In the hearts of their families, they remain forever young —-
loving sons, protective brothers, hometown kids who stood tall in
America’s hometown — in America’s uniform.
Today, we remember them. And we honor them with the highest
military decoration that our nation can bestow — the Medal of Honor.
In so doing we also honor their families, who remind us that it is our
extraordinary military families who also bear the heavy burden of war.
We are joined by members of Congress who are here. We very grateful
for you. We are also joined by leaders from the Army and our Armed
Forces, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike
Mullen and the Vice Chairman, General Jim “Hoss” Cartwright. Where —
there they are right there. (Applause.)
And this is not in the script, but let me just acknowledge that
without the leadership of Bob Gates, Mike Mullen, Hoss Cartwright, today
and yesterday would not have happened. And their steadiness and
leadership has been extraordinary. I could not be prouder of them, and I
am so grateful that they have been part of our team. (Applause.)
I especially want to welcome some of those who fought so bravely 60
years ago —- our inspiring Korean veterans — Korean War veterans who
have made the trip here. And I also want to acknowledge those who are
welcoming two more American heroes into their ranks — members of the
Medal of Honor Society. Thank you so much for your presence.
(Applause.)
This past November, I paid a visit to South Korea — a visit that
coincided with the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, as
well as November 11th, Veterans Day. And I was privileged to spend part
of the day with our troops and with dozens of veterans of the Korean
War — members of a generation who, in the words of their memorial here
in Washington, fought for “a country they never knew and a people they
never met.”
It was a generation that included Private First Class Anthony
Kaho’ohanohano. Tony grew up in Hawaii, in Maui. He learned early that
we have a duty to others — from his father, a dedicated police
officer, and his mother, who devoted herself to their nine children.
Tony was a tall guy. He loved Hawaii, swimming in the ocean, playing
basketball —- sounds like my kind of guy. (Laughter.) His siblings
remember him as the big brother — quiet but strong — who took care of
them, stood up for them in the neighborhood, and who would treat them to
ice cream.
Tony’s loyalty to family was matched by his love of country — even
though Hawaii wasn’t even a state yet. By September 1951, the Korean
War had been raging for more than a year, and Tony was part of the 17th
Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which had been fighting for
strategic hills that could shape the course of the war.
His squad was near a village called Chupa-ri when they came under a
ferocious attack. With the enemy advancing, with his men outnumbered,
Tony made a decision. He ordered his squad to fall back and seek
cover. And then Tony did something else. He stayed behind. Machine
gun in hand, he laid down fire so his men could get to safety. He was
one American soldier, alone, against an approaching army.
When Tony was wounded in the shoulder, he fought on. He threw
grenade after grenade. When his weapon ran out of ammunition, he
grabbed another. And when he ran out of ammo, he reached for the only
thing left — a shovel. That’s when the enemy overran his position.
And in those final moments, the combat was hand to hand.
It was that bravery — that courage — of a single soldier that
inspired his men to regroup, to rally and to drive the enemy back. And
when they finally reached Tony’s position, the measure of his valor
became clear. After firing so many bullets, the barrel of his machine
gun was literally bent. But Tony had stood his ground. He had saved
the lives of his men.
After his death, Tony was awarded the Army’s second highest award
for valor — the Distinguished Service Cross. But his family felt he
deserved more. And so did Senator — and World War II vet — Danny
Akaka. We’re honored that Senator Akaka has joined us, as well as Mazie
Hirono. And obviously we are extraordinarily grateful that we’re
joined by another Senator and a Medal of Honor recipient, Dan Inouye.
Thank you so much for your presence. (Applause.)
Now, Hawaii is a small state, but the Kaho’ohanohanos are a very big
family. In fact, I went to high school with one of their cousins,
Whitey. Tell Whitey I said, “How’s it?” (Laughter.)
This is a remarkable family. Service defines them. Tony’s father
and all six sons served in the military. Another member of the family
has served in Afghanistan. Nearly 30 members of the family have
traveled from Hawaii to be here, including Tony’s sister Elaine and
brother Eugene.
For the sacrifice that your family endured, for the service that
your family has rendered — thank you so much. Mahalo nui loa.
I would ask that you all join me in welcoming Tony’s nephew George,
who worked for many years to get his uncle the honor that he deserved.
George. (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE READS THE CITATION: The President of the United
States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has
awarded, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor to Private First
Class Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano, United States Army, for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty.
Private First Class Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano, Company H, 17th
Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by
extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of
Chupa-ri, Korea, on one September 1951. On that date, Private First
Class Kaho’ohanohano was in charge of machine-gun squads supporting the
defense positioning of Company F when a numerically superior enemy force
launched a fierce attack. Because of the enemy’s overwhelming numbers,
friendly troops were forced to execute a limited withdrawal. As the
men fell back, Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano ordered his squad to
take up more defensible positions and provide covering fire for the
withdrawing friendly force.
Although having been wounded in the soldier during the initial enemy
assault, Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano gathered a supply of
grenades and ammunition and returned to his original position to face
the enemy alone.
As the hostile troops concentrated their strength against his
emplacement and in an effort to overrun it, Private First Class
Kaho’ohanohano fought fiercely and courageously, delivering deadly
accurate fire into the ranks of the onrushing enemy.
When his ammunition was depleted, he engaged the enemy in
hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. Private First Class
Kaho’ohanohano’s heroic stand so inspired his comrades that they
launched a counter-attack that completely repulsed the enemy.
Upon reaching Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano’s emplacement,
friendly troops discovered 11 enemy soldiers lying dead in front of the
emplacement, and two inside it, killed in hand-to-hand combat.
Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano’s extraordinary heroism and
selfish devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of
military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th
Infantry Division and the United States Army.
(The Medal is presented.) (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: About the time that Tony was inspiring his men,
another young soldier was joining up with the 7th Infantry Division in
Korea — Private First Class Henry Svehla. He grew up in New Jersey.
He loved fishing on the Jersey shore. He was one of six kids and the
youngest son, but the one who seemed to take care of everybody else.
His sister Dorothy remembers how their mom would be in the kitchen,
at the end of a long day, trying to cook dinner for six kids. Henry — a
teenager — would walk in, grab his mother’s hand and dance her around
the kitchen. “If anybody needed him,” said Dorothy, “Henry was there.”
And he was there for America, in Korea, as the war neared its third
and final year. Henry knew the dangers. And in one of his last letters
home, he wrote, “I may not return.”
That June of 1952, the heat was unbearable. The monsoon rains and
mosquitoes were relentless. But the 7th Infantry Division pushed on —
probing enemy lines, fighting bunker by bunker, hill by hill. And as
Henry and his company neared the top of one hill, the rocky slopes
seemed to explode with enemy fire. His unit started to falter, and
that’s when Henry made his move.
He stood up. He looked ahead. And he charged forward into a hail
of bullets. Those who were there describe how he kept firing his
weapon, kept hurling grenades, and how — even after being wounded in
the face — he refused medical attention and kept leading the charge.
That’s when an enemy grenade landed among his men. Every human
instinct, every impulse, would tell a person to turn away. But at that
critical moment, Henry Svehla did the opposite. He threw himself on
that grenade. And with his sacrifice, he saved the lives of his fellow
soldiers.
Henry Svehla’s body has never been recovered. That’s a wound in the
heart of his family that has never been fully healed. It’s also a
reminder that, as a nation, we must never forget those who didn’t come
home, are missing in action, who were taken prisoner of war — and we
must never stop trying to bring them back to their families.
Henry was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, but his family
believed that he had earned this nation’s highest military honor. They
contacted their congressman and his staff, who made it their mission,
and we thank Representative Bill Pascrell for making this day possible.
Henry’s parents and brothers did not live to see this day, but two
of his sisters — Dorothy and Sylvia — are with us. Dorothy, Sylvia,
you remind us that behind every American who wears our nation’s uniform
stands a family who serves with them. And behind every American who lays
down their life for our country is a family who mourns them, and honors
them, for the rest of their lives. Every day, for nearly 60 years, you
have lived the poet’s words:
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
And so I want to conclude today by inviting everyone to join me in
welcoming Henry’s sister Dorothy to the stage for the presentation of
the medal. (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE READS THE CITATION: The President of the United
States, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded, in
the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Henry
Svehla, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
and the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Private
First Class Henry Svehla distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and
intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a
rifleman with F Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division,
in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Pyongony,
Korea, on 12 June, 1952.
That afternoon, while Private First Class Svehla and his platoon
were patrolling a strategic hill to determine enemy strength and
positions, they were subjected to intense enemy automatic weapons and
small arms fire at the top of the hill. Coming under heavy fire, the
platoon’s attack began to falter. Realizing the success of mission and
the safety of the remaining troops were in peril, Private First Class
Svehla leapt to his feet and charged the enemy positions, firing his
weapon and throwing grenades as he advanced.
In the face of this courage and determination, the platoon rallied
to attack with renewed vigor. Private First Class Svehla, utterly
disregarding his own safety, destroyed enemy positions and inflicted
heavy casualties, when suddenly, fragments from a mortar round exploding
nearby seriously wounded him in the face. Despite his wounds, Private
First Class Svehla refused medical treatment and continued to lead the
attack.
When an enemy grenade landed among a group of his comrades, Private
First Class Svehla, without hesitation and undoubtedly aware of extreme
danger, threw himself upon the grenade. During this action, Private
First Class Svehla was mortally wounded. Private First Class Svehla’s
extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life,
above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(The Medal is presented.) (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Let’s give both families a big round of applause — (applause) — for Anthony and for Henry. (Applause.)
CHAPLAIN CARVER: Please join me in prayer.
Gracious God, you’ve stirred our hearts once again today as we’ve
heard the accounts of two great American soldiers, who valued the lives
of those under their care more than their very own.
You’ve told us in the Holy Scripture that there’s no greater love
than this. And so, would you etch this eternal truth in our own hearts
as we carry out our responsibilities to you, our families and our great
nation.
Bless the young men and women of our armed services, who walk in the
footsteps of both Anthony and Henry, protecting and defending our lives
in freedom’s cost. And, Lord, continue to bless, empower and give
great wisdom to our President, Barack Obama, as he leads our nation in
these challenging times.
And God bless America. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much, everyone. Please enjoy the reception.
And again, to the families, we could not be prouder of Anthony and
Henry. We are grateful for their sacrifice. We are grateful for your
sacrifice. You have made this country safer. Tony and Henry stand as a
model of courage and patriotism.
God bless you. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you, everyone. (Applause.)
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