House Passes Major Bill To Help Medal of Honor Recipients
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.
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.
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.
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.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
