Legislation was passed by the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives with unanimous bipartisan support this week that will increase the pensions of Medal of Honor recipients by four times.
The bill, which easily passed 424-0, will raise the annual pension for Medal of Honor recipients from $16,880 to $67,500.
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The bill’s supporters, including Reps. Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Chris Pappas (D-NH), argue that the increase would help ease the financial strain for recipients who often travel across the country for speaking engagements at their own expense.
Veterans’ Affairs funding will fund the increased pensions through disability compensation.
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To offset the cost of the pay increase, the bill extends the limitation on pensions for veterans without spouses or dependents from 2031 to 2033.
The legislation would benefit the 60 living Medal of Honor recipients, with approximately 3,500 individuals having received the prestigious award since it was first established in 1863.
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The pension program for Medal of Honor recipients was introduced in 1916, with the recipients initially receiving $10 per month from the federal government.
Over the years, the stipend increased to $100 in 1961 and $1,000 in 2002.
The bill is introduced at a time when the National Medal of Honor Museum is set to open in Arlington, Texas, next month.
It is dedicated to sharing the stories of American heroes who displayed extraordinary bravery in battle.
President Trump has awarded the Medal of Honor to multiple recipients during his second term.
As of June 2026, there have been at least two notable White House ceremonies.
The first came on March 2, 2026, honoring three U.S. Army soldiers (two posthumously), and the second was on June 18, 2026, honoring two Marine Corps veterans (one posthumously) and one Army veteran.
As noted by the Army’s website, here’s a breakdown of who was awarded:
Master Sergeant Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds (posthumous): Edmonds, a POW in World War II, is recognized for defying his German captors. As the senior noncommissioned officer in a Stalag, he protected Jewish American prisoners by ordering all POWs to claim Jewish identity when the Germans demanded separation, famously stating, “We are all Jews here.” This act of moral courage saved lives amid the Holocaust. His recognition reflects long-term reviews of WWII heroism.
Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis (posthumous): On August 28, 2013, in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, while serving with the 10th Mountain Division at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Ollis (from Staten Island, NY) responded to a complex insurgent attack involving grenades, mortars, rockets, and a suicide bomber. He ordered soldiers to bunkers, then advanced with a Polish officer to repel the breach. When an insurgent wounded the Polish officer, Ollis shielded him with his body from the suicide vest detonation, sacrificing his life at age 24 to save his ally. His prior Silver Star was upgraded. His parents accepted the medal.
Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson (Retired): On September 14, 1968, near Loc Ninh, Vietnam, then-Staff Sergeant Richardson led a reconnaissance platoon with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. His unit faced a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. He braved machine-gun fire three times to rescue wounded comrades, then advanced alone through enemy lines to secure Hill 222 and direct tactical air strikes for seven hours while under sniper fire—despite being wounded. His actions helped save about 85 soldiers from an enemy regimental base camp. He received the medal in person.
In June, here’s who Trump awarded:
Then-Second Lieutenant Capers led a nine-man 3rd Force Reconnaissance team near Phu Loc, Vietnam, from March 31 to April 3, 1967. Tasked with locating a North Vietnamese regimental base camp, the patrol repeatedly clashed with superior enemy forces. On the final day, an ambush wounded Capers severely (gunshots and fragmentation). Despite blood loss, he directed artillery and supporting fires, coordinated movements, and prioritized evacuating his Marines. He refused extraction until all were safe aboard the helicopter. His prior Silver Star was upgraded; he is 88 and received the medal in person.
Colonel John W. Ripley, U.S. Marine Corps (posthumous): On April 2, 1972, during the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive, then-Captain Ripley (Senior Marine Advisor to the 3rd Vietnamese Marine Infantry Battalion) single-handedly halted a massive enemy armored advance at the Dong Ha Bridge over the Cua Viet River. Under intense fire, he crawled across the bridge multiple times (wiring explosives while praying “Jesus, Mary, get me across”), destroying it and preventing thousands of enemy troops and tanks from crossing. This legendary “Ripley at the Bridge” action (previously a Navy Cross) bought critical time for allied forces. His family accepted the medal.
Major Nicholas Dockery, U.S. Army (Retired): On October 2, 2012, in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, then-Second Lieutenant Dockery (platoon leader, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division) led a combined U.S.-Afghan force ambushed by a large Taliban element (~150 fighters with machine guns, RPGs, etc.). He repeatedly exposed himself crossing open ground under fire to rally troops, reinforce positions, and aid the wounded. He shielded a soldier from a grenade with his body, fought off enemies dragging an unconscious comrade (Sgt. Jack Hansbro), provided lifesaving aid (including CPR), and signaled gunships from an exposed roof. His leadership turned the tide. A West Point graduate, he received the medal in person.
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