H.R. 7211 – To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for ac…

AI-Generated Summary

Updated March 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM UTC

This bill lets the President give the Medal of Honor to Marine Corps veteran John W. Ripley for heroic actions during the Vietnam War, even though the usual time limits for such awards have passed. It specifically recognizes his deeds on April 2, 1972, for which he already received a Navy Cross, and would make him a recipient of the nation’s highest military decoration.

Key Provisions

Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley, overriding the standard time‑limit rules for Medal of Honor awards.
Specifies that the award is for Ripley’s actions on April 2, 1972, during the Vietnam War, for which he previously earned a Navy Cross.

Legislative Activity

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14 earlier actions

Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 119-81.

March 26, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 22, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

January 22, 2026

HouseFloor

Mr. Bacon asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

February 3, 2026 • 2:17 PM

HouseFloor

Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H1967)

February 3, 2026 • 2:17 PM

HouseCommittee

Committee on Armed Services discharged.

Armed Services Committee

February 3, 2026

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H1967)

February 3, 2026 • 2:17 PM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H1967)

February 3, 2026 • 2:17 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

February 3, 2026 • 2:17 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

February 4, 2026

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Armed Services Committee

March 3, 2026

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S767)

March 3, 2026

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

March 4, 2026

President

Presented to President.

March 24, 2026

Became Law

Signed by President.

March 26, 2026

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 119-81.

March 26, 2026

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about H.R. 7211 on the floor

2 Republicans

Sen. Joni ErnstR-IA · Mar 3, 2026

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 7211 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. I ask…

Rep. Don BaconR-NE-2 · Feb 3, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7211) to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to…

Bill Text

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Enrolled BillPublication date not provided

One Hundred Nineteenth Congress of the United States of America

At the Second Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Saturday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-six

H. R. 7211

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.

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.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.