Representatives Kaptur and Carter Introduce Bipartisan Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Congressman John Carter (TX-31) introduced the bipartisan Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act which will establish the new Last Servicemember Standing Medal for military service. The unique medal will honor active duty servicemembers who demonstrate an unbending dedication to the United States and determination to survive and complete their mission at all costs, even as their brothers and sisters in arms make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
“I have the privilege and responsibility to carry on the story of the late Sergeant John Eade of Toledo, Ohio. In 1965, at 21, he deployed in la Drang Valley, Vietnam, as fire team leader in 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. On November 14, 1965, the single deadliest day for American forces of the war, Sergeant Eade and his team became pinned down. By the end of the day, he was the only surviving member of his platoon, sustaining shrapnel wounds to his legs, struck by napalm, and shot in the shoulder, abdomen, and face resulting in the loss of his eye,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. “Regrettably, with no surviving witnesses to attest to his heroism, the Department of Defense has yet to appropriately honor Sgt. Eade’s valor with the Distinguished Service Cross. Today I introduce this bipartisan legislation with Judge Carter to address this longstanding oversight. I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act to recognize Sergeant Eade and others who continued to fight for their country against enemy forces even as every one of their squad-mates gave their lives.”
“The men and women that commit incredible acts of valor as they stand alone on the battlefield deserve to be recognized,” said Congressman John Carter. “Due to many service medal requirements, many lone survivors are unsung heroes. With the Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act, these brave servicemembers will receive the lasting honor they deserve. I appreciate my colleague Rep. Kaptur spearheading this important initiative for America’s warriors.”
Service medals are timeless means by which the American people recognize exceptional acts of valor and sacrifice that members of the military engage in on behalf of our nation. However, these commemorations often require a witness to account for the servicemembers’ actions. By their very nature, servicemembers who find themselves as the last surviving member of their unit are unable to meet this requirement for many existing service medals and can go unrecognized for the heroic and traumatic experience of their surviving combat in which every one of their fellow servicemembers are killed.
This bill aims to recognize those remarkable servicemembers’ unique and courage experience by providing a new means by which the military can honor their service and distinct tenacity to survive such events in service to the U.S. The Last Servicemembers Standing Medal Act is dedicated to Sergeant John Eade and Specialist Oscar Barker Jr., who both fought valiantly at the Battle of la Drang, the first major battle between the U.S. Army and the People’s Army of Vietnam, November, 14-16, 1965. Sergeant Eade was the sole survivor of those who had remained in Second Platoon's position at the battle. Sergeant Eade, a great American, passed away in 2022.
A full copy of the bill text for the Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act can be found by clicking here. A one pager on the Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act can be found by clicking here.
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