Trump jokes he wanted to award himself Medal of Honor before honoring veterans: 'I couldn't do it'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump drew laughs during a White House Medal of Honor ceremony on Thursday, June 18, after joking that he had wanted to award the military's highest decoration to himself.
The remark came as Trump honored three service members whose actions in Vietnam and Afghanistan were recognized as acts of extraordinary bravery.
During the ceremony, retired Marine Maj James Capers Jr, retired Army Maj Nicholas Dockery, and Marine Col John W Ripley, posthumously, received the nation's highest military award.
Trump jokes about awarding himself medal
The ceremony, attended by senior administration officials, military leaders, and family members of the recipients, highlighted acts of valor spanning more than four decades of US military service. Trump opened the event with a lighthearted remark before turning to the stories of the three honorees.
"Only a few have received our highest military distinction, the Congressional Medal of Honor," Trump said.
“I wanted to give it to myself, but I was informed I couldn’t do it.”
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 18, 2026
President Trump joked about awarding himself the Medal of Honor before presenting the nation’s highest military distinction to three service members during a White House ceremony.
Trump called the recipients… pic.twitter.com/F1GXVIYhC2
The president then drew laughter from the audience with another joke. “I wanted to give it to myself, but I was informed I couldn't do it and I couldn't find anything that I was actually worthy, so here we are,” he said.
Trump later described the recipients as among the nation's greatest military heroes and praised their courage, sacrifice, and service. Senior administration officials, military leaders, and family members of the honorees attended the ceremony at the White House.
Veterans honored for battlefield heroism
Among the recipients was retired Marine Maj James Capers Jr, who was honored for his actions during a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam in 1967.
According to the White House, Capers continued leading his team despite suffering multiple wounds and refused evacuation until all of his fellow Marines had been safely extracted.
“Jim, the nation kept you waiting far too long, so I say to you, congratulations,” Trump said.
Marine Col John W Ripley, who died in 2008, was recognized posthumously for destroying the strategically important Dong Ha Bridge during the Vietnam War's Easter Offensive in 1972.
The White House said Ripley spent hours placing explosives beneath the bridge while under enemy fire, ultimately halting the advance of North Vietnamese forces. His son accepted the award on his behalf.
The third recipient, retired Army Maj. Nicholas Dockery, was honored for his actions during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan's Kapisa Province in 2012.
According to the White House, Dockery repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers, direct air support, and coordinate evacuations during a four-hour battle.
“At one point, he killed a Taliban fighter and detained two others,” Trump said. “As he reached Sergeant Mitchell, a grenade came raining down. Without thinking, Nick tackled Sergeant Mitchell, likely saving his life.”
The ceremony recognized acts of valor spanning more than four decades of military service, adding Capers, Ripley, and Dockery to the list of Americans awarded the nation's highest military honor.
