To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for acts of valor during the Vietnam War, and for other purposes.
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The law authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for his actions as a Marine during the Vietnam War, waiving the usual time limits that would otherwise bar a decades-old award.
What this law does
What it does
The law authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for acts of valor he performed as a member of the Marine Corps on April 2, 1972, during the Vietnam War — the same actions for which he had previously received the Navy Cross. It waives the statutory time limitations in title 10 of the U.S. Code that would normally prevent a Medal of Honor from being awarded so long after the qualifying action. It does not itself bestow the medal; it authorizes the President to do so.
Key provisions
- 1Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley, waiving time limitations under 10 U.S.C. §§ 8298(a) and 8300.
- 2Specifies the qualifying acts of valor as Ripley's actions as a Marine on April 2, 1972, during the Vietnam War, previously honored with the Navy Cross.
Who is affected
John W. Ripley, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War (now deceased), and his family or estate, who would be the direct beneficiaries if the President exercises this authorization. The Department of Defense and Marine Corps would be involved in any award ceremony.
Why it matters
The law clears the legal obstacle — a statutory time limit — that would otherwise prevent recognition of Ripley's wartime actions with the nation's highest military honor, allowing the President discretion to formally upgrade his prior Navy Cross to a Medal of Honor.
What changed
Changes to existing law
Amends 10 U.S.C. §§ 8298(a) and 8300 (Sec. 1(a))
Waives the statutory time limitations on awarding the Medal of Honor specifically for John W. Ripley's 1972 actions.
Agencies directed to act
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Became Public Law No: 119-81.
Official CRS summary
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This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for his acts of valor on April 2, 1972, as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the Navy Cross.
Legislative subjects
Armed Forces and National Security; Conflicts and wars; Military personnel and dependents; South Asia; Vietnam