The national anthem filled the rotunda at the Utah State Capitol on Tuesday as the Utah Military Academy choir ushered in Utah’s first-ever Medal of Honor Day ceremony.
The Medal of Honor is the United States armed forces’ highest military decoration and is awarded by the president of the United States. Only 3,536 people have so far been awarded, for distinguishing themself “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of … life above and beyond the call of duty” while in combat with an enemy of the United States.
This year, Utah’s Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars honored Utah’s five Medal of Honor holders: Mervyn Bennion (World War II), William Hall (World War II), Jose Valdez (World War II), George Wahlen (World War II) and Brian Thacker (Vietnam)…