Bill > HR4580

This bill seeks to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to retired Colonel Philip J. Conran for his extraordinary heroism during a military operation in Laos on October 6, 1969, during the Vietnam War. As an Air Force Major and Aircraft Commander of a CH-3E helicopter, Conran demonstrated exceptional valor while attempting to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter under intense hostile ground fire. Despite being severely wounded in the leg, he continued to defend the crash site, extract essential equipment, and support his fellow soldiers for six hours until rescue became possible. The bill acknowledges that Laos was previously referred to as a "classified location in Southeast Asia" and that Conran's actions were crucial in enabling two helicopter crews and 44 friendly troops to survive against overwhelming odds. The legislation specifically authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Conran, overriding existing time limitations for medal awards, in recognition of his heroic actions for which he was previously awarded the Air Force Cross.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4580/all-info