Alford Leads Effort to Award MACV-SOG Heroes with the Congressional Gold Medal

Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the service members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). This Congressional Gold Medal recognizes their bravery and outstanding service in South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

The legislation is co-lead in the House by Reps. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Ronny Jackson (TX-13). Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) lead the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

"The special operators of MACV-SOG executed some of the most daring missions against communist insurgents during the Vietnam War," said Congressman Alford. "Despite earning twelve Medals of Honor and setting the standard for modern special operations forces, the heroism, courage, and effectiveness of these service members remain unknown by the broader American public. We're proud to lead this effort to recognize the heroism of these great Americans, including Don Wolken, a MACV-SOG team leader from Lebanon, Missouri."

"MACV-SOG was one of the most elite and distinguished special operations units in our nation's history," said Rep. Carbajal. "These brave men carried out some of the most critical missions in the Vietnam War. Many of these heroes are still with us and honoring them now ensures that their sacrifices receive the full recognition they deserve."

"The heroes of MACV-SOG carried out some of the most dangerous missions in Vietnam with unmatched courage, and they deserve our nation's highest honor," said Rep. Jackson. "MACV-SOG remains one of the most respected and elite special operations units in our military's history, and I'm proud to work with Rep. Mark Alford to ensure these American heroes receive the long-overdue recognition they earned by laying the foundation for today's modern special operations forces."

"MACV-SOG operators rank among the most elite special operations forces in U.S. military history," said Senator Budd. "During the Vietnam War, they carried out highly classified, extraordinarily dangerous missions to combat communist insurgencies by obtaining vital intelligence for critical military operations, setting the gold standard for U.S. special operations. In North Carolina, there are fifty-nine living members of this unit, and many more across the country. Their devotion to duty deserves our deepest respect and recognition. I am grateful to my colleague Congressman Alford for joining me in leading this effort to honor our service members for their unparalleled sacrifice."

Background:

MACV-SOG was established in January 1964 as a dedicated joint military task force to conduct high-risk and special activities in the denied areas of North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

These covert operations remained unacknowledged by military leadership and unknown to the United States public until their existence began to be declassified decades later. This secret war denied MACV-SOG members their just recognition and deprived the families of deceased and wounded operators from knowing the full extent of the sacrifice of their loved ones to the United States.

To date, twelve MACV-SOG operators have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

###