President Obama to honor 2 Korean War GIs for valor
Family members to receive Medal of Honor at White House
President Barack Obama will award the nation's highest medal for valor to two soldiers who gave their lives fighting in the Korean War.
Pfc. Anthony Kaho’ohanohano and Pfc. Henry Svehla will be recognized with the Medal of Honor for braving certain death and painful wounds to charge and repel overwhelming enemy forces during the war.
Family members of both Soldiers will attend the May 2 ceremony at the White House to commemorate their “selfless service and sacrifice,” according to a presidential news release.
Kaho’ohanohano’s sister and brother will join the president at the White House to honor the 21-year-old who was killed on Sept. 1, 1951, at Chupa-ri on the Korean peninsula.
His nephew, George Kahoohanohano, has for almost a decade pushed to get his uncle's Distinguished Service Cross upgraded to a Medal of Honor.
White House officials say the soldier faced the enemy alone and that when his ammunition was depleted, he engaged in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. His heroism inspired comrades to launch a counterattack.
Svehla's sisters will receive the honor on his behalf during the White House ceremony.
The Defense Department says the rifleman charged enemy positions when his platoon came under heavy fire on June 12, 1952. He was mortally wounded when he threw himself on a grenade.
