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Vietnam Vet Receives Medal of Honor Posthumously

Bravery in Laos was a secret for decades

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 21, 2010 3:53 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor today for an act of bravery the military had covered up for decades. Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was killed while helping three wounded comrades onto an evacuation helicopter during an attack on a US outpost in Laos. But for years, the event was kept under wraps because the US was not officially supposed to be in Laos, USA Today explains.

Obama presented the medal to Etchberger’s family today, praising his “conspicuous gallantry,” and noting that the radar technician “had no formal combat training.” Etchberger’s family had been told he died in a helicopter crash, and learned the truth years afterward. “Even though it’s been 42 years, it’s never too late to do the right thing,” Obama said.

A 1968 Air Force photo, via the Reading Eagle, of Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger in Vietnam. (AP Photo/USAF, Reading Eagle)

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor posthumously to the sons of Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger, Sept. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Vietnam Vet Receives Medal of Honor Posthumously

Bravery in Laos was a secret for decades

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Barack Obama • Laos • Vietnam veteran • Vietnam War • Medal of Honor • President Obama • cover-up • Richard Etchberger

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