To commemorate the skill and bravery he exhibited against the British at Paulus Hook, New Jersey. Recognized for his "good conduct, coolness, discipline, and firm intrepidity" in the assault of the enemy's works at Stony Point, New York Recognized for his "brave and successful" efforts in bringing about the surrender of the British Army at Saratoga, New York Recognized for his "wise and spirited conduct" in the seige and acquisition of Boston. General (future President of the United States) Additionally, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee requires that at least 67 Senators must cosponsor any Congressional Gold Medal legislation before the committee will consider it. In addition to the requirement that all Congressional Gold Medal legislation must be cosponsored by at least two-thirds (290) of the Members of the House, specific standards are set forth by Rule X, 2 (h) of the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Policy and Technology when considering such legislation. Although the first recipients included citizens who participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event. Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Ellis Debakey formally received the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. House of RepresentativesĪbout this object On April 23, 2008, Dr. He says he’s resolved to live every day in way that honors the men he lost, and the second chance at life he has now./tiles/non-collection/i/i_gold_medal_hc_2008_203_002.xml Collection of the U.S. Since being medically retired from the Army, Groberg is studying for a master’s degree at the University of Maryland, and wants to continue working for the Department of Defense. To be honest I’d do everything to give back this Medal to bring my guys back." "You join the military to serve your country. "No one joins the military to get medals," he said. His actions earned him the nation's highest military honor-one that is almost always shadowed with tragedy. Somehow Groberg survived, while four other Americans were killed in that explosion. Groberg immediate ran towards the bomber, and with another soldier, they pushed him away and down to the ground. "It" being the day in 2012 when the now-retired Army captain was leading a security team in Afghanistan, protecting several high-ranking officers, when he spotted a suicide bomber coming his way. You look at what happened and we were finally able to talk about it." "That was one of the most incredible emotional days of my life.
"It just reminder us of our brotherhood and how close we all were, are, and will always be," Groberg said. He was reunited with his entire security team for the first time since leaving Afghanistan. Groberg, however, says the most memorable recent moment came two days before the ceremony where he received the Medal. Medal of Honor recipients are invited to every presidential inaugural ball and they never pay federal income tax again. Other recent recipients told Groberg, "'your life is going to be completely different,'" he said."People, the way they look at you and see you, and want to be near you." Florent Groberg is in one of the smallest clubs in the military: he's a recipient of the Medal of Honor, a distinction earned by only ten living veterans of the war in Afghanistan.īy all appearances at an event in his honor Friday in Los Angeles, Groberg is adjusting well to his new lifestyle of constant speaking engagements, luncheons, and ceremonies.