Watch these videos about Gary McKiddy's actions:

Gary McKiddy Medal of Honor

Sgt Gary Lee McKiddy--An American Hero

Honoring Sgt Gary Lee McKiddy

Every year on May 6, James R. Skaggs visits Highland Memorial Cemetery to honor his friend, Sgt. Gary Lee McKiddy, on the anniversary of McKiddy’s death. Both men served during the Vietnam Conflict.

The McKiddy family reached out to state and national representatives, stating that Gary’s bravery on May 6, 1970, should have earned him the Medal of Honor. He saved James Skaggs’s life and died while attempting to save the life of Tommy Leon Whiddon after a fiery helicopter crash on their mission in Cambodia.

A member of Congress can nominate a service member to receive that Medal upon approval by a special Act of Congress. However, the medal is awarded by the Department of Defense in the name of Congress, so it is not a “Congressional” citation. The medal is a military award for extreme bravery.

The Miamisburg Historical Society is re-starting a letter-writing and postcard campaign to our elected representatives to encourage them to reconsider this award. Special postcards are available at the Miamisburg History Center. Suggested text and addresses to all local, state, and national Ohio representatives will be provided. If you can, please consider making a donation.

If you cannot make it to the History Center, print one of these short letters and send it to the representatives on this list.