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Bills/119th Congress · House

H.R. 7211

Became law

To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for acts of valor during the Vietnam War, and for other purposes.

Sponsor
RH. Morgan Griffith· Virginia
Introduced
January 22, 2026
Policy area
Armed Forces and National Security
Latest action
Became Public Law No: 119-81.March 26, 2026
[119th Congress Public Law 81]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

[[Page 140 STAT. 751]]

Public Law 119-81
119th Congress

An Act

To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley 
for acts of valor during the Vietnam War, and for other 
purposes. <<NOTE: Mar. 26, 2026 - [H.R. 7211]>> 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO JOHN W. 
RIPLEY FOR ACTS OF VALOR AS A MEMBER 
OF THE MARINE CORPS DURING THE 
VIETNAM WAR.

(a) Authorization.--Notwithstanding the time limitations specified 
in sections 8298(a) and 8300 of title 10, United States Code, or any 
other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to 
persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to 
award the Medal of Honor, under section 8291 of such title, to John W. 
Ripley for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).
(b) Acts of Valor Described.--The acts of valor described in this 
subsection are the actions of John W. Ripley, as a member of the Marine 
Corps, on April 2, 1972, during the Vietnam War, for which he was 
previously awarded the Navy Cross.

Approved March 26, 2026.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 7211:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 172 (2026):
Feb. 3, considered and passed House.
Mar. 3, considered and passed Senate.

<all>

Plain-language analysis

AI analysis · 100% confidence

AI-generated breakdown of the bill text above, checked by an independent review pass before publishing. It is analysis, not the law itself — the verbatim text and official source are the record.

In plain terms

This bill allows the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for his bravery during the Vietnam War. It overrides certain time limits that usually apply to awarding military medals. Ripley had previously received the Navy Cross for his actions on April 2, 1972. This bill specifically recognizes his valor as a member of the Marine Corps.

Hidden provisions

  • SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO JOHN W. RIPLEY FOR ACTS OF VALOR AS A MEMBER OF THE MARINE CORPS

    the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 8291 of such title, to John W. Ripley for the acts of valor described in subsection (b)

    A reader might overlook the specific authorization for the Medal of Honor, which is significant because it highlights a special exception to the usual rules for awarding military honors.

Questionable / off-intent provisions

No off-intent or questionable provisions were flagged.

Junk / unrelated provisions

No filler or unrelated riders were flagged.

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