1 00:00:00,079 --> 00:00:02,190 Good morning . Ladies and gentlemen , 2 00:00:02,190 --> 00:00:04,412 welcome to the Medal of Honor induction 3 00:00:04,412 --> 00:00:06,635 ceremony in honor of Private Philip G . 4 00:00:06,635 --> 00:00:09,210 Shadrack George D Wilson . Private 5 00:00:09,220 --> 00:00:11,053 Shadrack and Private Wilson were 6 00:00:11,053 --> 00:00:13,053 posthumously presented our nation's 7 00:00:13,053 --> 00:00:15,220 highest and most prestigious award for 8 00:00:15,220 --> 00:00:17,276 valor by the president of the United 9 00:00:17,276 --> 00:00:19,389 States . The medal of honor this 10 00:00:19,399 --> 00:00:21,177 morning , they will formally be 11 00:00:21,177 --> 00:00:23,066 inducted into the Pentagon's most 12 00:00:23,066 --> 00:00:25,739 sacred place . The Hall of Heroes . Our 13 00:00:25,750 --> 00:00:27,750 official party for today's ceremony 14 00:00:27,750 --> 00:00:29,972 includes the Secretary of Defense , the 15 00:00:29,972 --> 00:00:32,028 honorable Lloyd J Austin the third , 16 00:00:32,028 --> 00:00:33,806 the Secretary of the Army , the 17 00:00:33,806 --> 00:00:35,900 honorable Christine E Warmth , the 18 00:00:35,909 --> 00:00:37,853 chief of staff of the Army General 19 00:00:37,853 --> 00:00:41,549 Randy A George , the Army , Michael R 20 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,727 Weimer . Ladies and gentlemen , please 21 00:00:43,727 --> 00:00:45,838 stand for the arrival of the official 22 00:00:45,838 --> 00:00:47,727 party and remain standing for the 23 00:00:47,727 --> 00:00:49,616 singing of our national anthem by 24 00:00:49,616 --> 00:00:51,671 sergeant first class Keenan mccarter 25 00:00:51,671 --> 00:00:53,838 from the United States Army Chorus and 26 00:00:53,838 --> 00:00:56,004 the invocation delivered by chaplain , 27 00:00:56,004 --> 00:00:58,060 William Green , chief of chaplains . 28 00:01:03,340 --> 00:01:06,800 Oh , say , can you see 29 00:01:06,809 --> 00:01:10,559 by the dawn's early light ? 30 00:01:10,580 --> 00:01:14,319 What so proudly we at 31 00:01:14,809 --> 00:01:18,269 the twilight's last gleaming 32 00:01:18,279 --> 00:01:21,910 whose red stripes and bright stars 33 00:01:22,029 --> 00:01:25,589 through the pair last night 34 00:01:25,900 --> 00:01:29,699 or ? And parts we watched 35 00:01:29,709 --> 00:01:33,230 were so gently streaming 36 00:01:33,449 --> 00:01:35,660 and the rockets were 37 00:01:37,449 --> 00:01:41,150 problems bursty G 38 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:45,370 through , through the night that a 39 00:01:45,550 --> 00:01:48,949 like was still there ? Oh , 40 00:01:48,959 --> 00:01:51,470 say , does that star 41 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:55,360 spangled bird that we ? 42 00:01:57,169 --> 00:02:01,110 Oh and of the , 43 00:02:03,519 --> 00:02:04,949 and the whole 44 00:02:22,970 --> 00:02:25,119 good morning , please bow with me for 45 00:02:25,130 --> 00:02:28,449 the invocation . Almighty God , 46 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:32,059 author of liberty , our great sustainer 47 00:02:32,070 --> 00:02:35,169 and God hear our prayer and bless the 48 00:02:35,179 --> 00:02:37,809 ceremony with your presence . As we 49 00:02:37,820 --> 00:02:40,729 honor privates , George D Wilson and 50 00:02:40,740 --> 00:02:43,869 Philip G Shadrack as they officially 51 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:46,250 join their esteemed comrades , their 52 00:02:46,259 --> 00:02:48,369 fellow Raiders here in the Hall of 53 00:02:48,380 --> 00:02:51,330 Heroes . Heavenly Father , we ask and 54 00:02:51,339 --> 00:02:54,809 thank you for this audacious group that 55 00:02:54,820 --> 00:02:57,589 demonstrated the courage , initiative , 56 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,949 resourcefulness that we see and value 57 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:03,679 in the best of our nation's soldiers 58 00:03:03,690 --> 00:03:06,360 and leaders as private . Wilson and 59 00:03:06,369 --> 00:03:08,960 Shadrack are inducted into the Hall of 60 00:03:08,970 --> 00:03:11,750 Heroes and their names are etched and 61 00:03:11,759 --> 00:03:15,070 granted . We pray their bold and 62 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:17,830 selfless acts will be an enduring 63 00:03:17,839 --> 00:03:21,539 reminder of their sacrifice and 64 00:03:21,589 --> 00:03:24,460 perpetual inspiration to all who hear 65 00:03:24,470 --> 00:03:28,000 and see . May our future generations 66 00:03:28,009 --> 00:03:30,889 not only see but follow their lead and 67 00:03:30,899 --> 00:03:33,520 take up the torch of freedom . And now 68 00:03:33,529 --> 00:03:36,250 Heavenly Father , we humbly ask that 69 00:03:36,259 --> 00:03:39,369 you sustain and empower all who strived 70 00:03:39,380 --> 00:03:41,949 to preserve and defend our nation today . 71 00:03:42,059 --> 00:03:45,380 As these young men of renown did 100 72 00:03:45,389 --> 00:03:49,119 and 62 years ago , we honor them and 73 00:03:49,130 --> 00:03:52,089 God bless the families of our heroes 74 00:03:52,100 --> 00:03:55,449 from generation to generation and bless 75 00:03:55,460 --> 00:03:59,410 America stand beside us and guide us 76 00:03:59,419 --> 00:04:01,580 through the night with the light from 77 00:04:01,589 --> 00:04:04,610 above all these things , we pray in 78 00:04:04,619 --> 00:04:06,570 your holy name . Amen . 79 00:04:09,210 --> 00:04:10,529 Please be seated . 80 00:04:13,449 --> 00:04:15,449 Ladies and gentlemen , the chief of 81 00:04:15,449 --> 00:04:18,730 staff of the army . Yeah , 82 00:04:23,959 --> 00:04:27,170 good morning , everybody . Happy fourth 83 00:04:27,179 --> 00:04:29,880 of July . Um Great to see everybody 84 00:04:29,890 --> 00:04:32,220 here . Secretary Austin , my battle 85 00:04:32,230 --> 00:04:35,070 buddy , secretary , warm um S ma 86 00:04:35,079 --> 00:04:37,869 chairman Vice . Um great to have 87 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:39,769 everybody here . I want to take a 88 00:04:39,769 --> 00:04:42,279 minute first um to welcome our very , 89 00:04:42,290 --> 00:04:45,190 very special guest . Uh , first , uh 90 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,279 Miss Teresa Chandler , great , great 91 00:04:47,290 --> 00:04:50,540 granddaughter of Private Wilson , Miss 92 00:04:50,549 --> 00:04:54,320 Chandler's sister , Joyce Durham down 93 00:04:54,329 --> 00:04:56,869 there . See , Joyce , uh , other sister 94 00:04:57,149 --> 00:05:00,220 Charlene Murphy , who's here with us , 95 00:05:00,230 --> 00:05:02,700 Miss Chandler's son , Scott and also 96 00:05:02,709 --> 00:05:04,931 Kim Chandler . And I understand they're 97 00:05:04,931 --> 00:05:07,153 all from Ohio and we've gotten past the 98 00:05:07,153 --> 00:05:09,376 whole Ohio State Buckeye conversation , 99 00:05:09,376 --> 00:05:11,431 um , that we just had , um , and the 100 00:05:11,431 --> 00:05:13,487 rest I know there's a bunch of other 101 00:05:13,487 --> 00:05:15,709 family members here . Welcome um to the 102 00:05:15,709 --> 00:05:17,709 Pentagon and welcome to DC and from 103 00:05:17,709 --> 00:05:20,059 private Shad R's family . Mr Gerald 104 00:05:20,209 --> 00:05:22,950 Taylor , his great , great nephew . So 105 00:05:22,959 --> 00:05:24,903 great to have you here , Mr Gerald 106 00:05:24,903 --> 00:05:27,589 Taylor , his , um , Mr Taylor's 107 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,929 daughter , Penny , who's here with us 108 00:05:29,940 --> 00:05:32,100 and Brian Taylor and the rest of the 109 00:05:32,109 --> 00:05:34,331 Shadrack family . So , again , great to 110 00:05:34,331 --> 00:05:36,553 have you here . And I know it was a big 111 00:05:36,553 --> 00:05:38,665 commitment to travel all the way here 112 00:05:38,665 --> 00:05:40,887 to , uh DC , especially on Independence 113 00:05:40,887 --> 00:05:43,053 Day and , uh , pretty busy around this 114 00:05:43,053 --> 00:05:45,170 city . But , um , despite the hustle 115 00:05:45,179 --> 00:05:47,457 and bustle , I think it's fitting , uh , 116 00:05:47,457 --> 00:05:50,220 that we do this ceremony today . Um , 117 00:05:50,230 --> 00:05:53,049 in honor , we have 248 years . And it's 118 00:05:53,059 --> 00:05:55,609 in part because of courageous Americans 119 00:05:55,859 --> 00:05:57,820 like private Wilson and private 120 00:05:57,829 --> 00:06:00,010 Shadrack . Um And it , and we're here 121 00:06:00,019 --> 00:06:02,579 to remember their incredible story . So 122 00:06:02,589 --> 00:06:05,410 it was April 9 , 1862 123 00:06:05,649 --> 00:06:09,079 24 courageous young men from Ohio set 124 00:06:09,089 --> 00:06:11,559 out for Murfreesboro , Tennessee on a 125 00:06:11,570 --> 00:06:13,348 daring mission for which they'd 126 00:06:13,348 --> 00:06:16,410 willingly volunteered . They were led 127 00:06:16,420 --> 00:06:18,549 by a civilian man named James Andrew 128 00:06:18,790 --> 00:06:22,640 and so dubbed Andrews Raiders . The men 129 00:06:22,649 --> 00:06:25,420 traveled deep behind enemy lines nearly 130 00:06:25,429 --> 00:06:28,809 200 miles southward . They went in twos 131 00:06:28,820 --> 00:06:30,764 and threes to remain inconspicuous 132 00:06:30,764 --> 00:06:32,829 along highways and through the 133 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:35,061 mountains , stopping in towns along the 134 00:06:35,061 --> 00:06:37,579 way for food and shelter , telling the 135 00:06:37,589 --> 00:06:39,645 Southerner southerners they met that 136 00:06:39,645 --> 00:06:41,756 they were headed to Georgia to enlist 137 00:06:41,756 --> 00:06:43,820 in the confederate army . They were 138 00:06:43,829 --> 00:06:47,369 unarmed in unfamiliar lands and 139 00:06:47,380 --> 00:06:50,989 unable to easily contract Andrews . If 140 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,329 they aroused any suspicion , they'd be 141 00:06:53,339 --> 00:06:56,040 done . I'm imagining a soldier 142 00:06:56,049 --> 00:06:58,239 undertaken that kind of journey behind 143 00:06:58,250 --> 00:07:00,760 enemy lines . Today , it would take a 144 00:07:00,769 --> 00:07:03,609 lot of guts . The team's plan was to 145 00:07:03,619 --> 00:07:05,890 steal a train in Georgia , right it 146 00:07:05,899 --> 00:07:08,410 north to Chattanooga and do as much 147 00:07:08,420 --> 00:07:11,170 damage as possible to the track along 148 00:07:11,179 --> 00:07:13,799 the way because that rail line was the 149 00:07:13,809 --> 00:07:15,865 lifeblood of the confederate army in 150 00:07:15,865 --> 00:07:18,600 Tennessee . And the Raiders knew that 151 00:07:18,609 --> 00:07:20,799 if it were destroyed . General Mit 152 00:07:20,809 --> 00:07:22,779 General Mitchell and his union ST 153 00:07:22,970 --> 00:07:25,869 soldiers stood a much better chance at 154 00:07:26,230 --> 00:07:29,220 taking Chattanooga . It was a harrowing 155 00:07:29,230 --> 00:07:32,359 mission . Andrews Raiders convened in 156 00:07:32,369 --> 00:07:35,140 Marietta Georgia just north of Atlanta 157 00:07:35,149 --> 00:07:37,920 and boarded their chosen train bravely 158 00:07:38,239 --> 00:07:41,510 ready for the unknown road ahead . At 159 00:07:41,549 --> 00:07:44,929 first the road , the ride was quiet . A 160 00:07:44,940 --> 00:07:47,470 few stops on at Big Shanty Station 161 00:07:47,799 --> 00:07:50,170 north of Marietta . The engineer and 162 00:07:50,179 --> 00:07:52,346 the rest of the train crew stopped for 163 00:07:52,346 --> 00:07:55,429 breakfast at a local hotel . The union 164 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:57,496 men peered out of their train cars . 165 00:07:58,040 --> 00:07:59,984 There was a confederate encampment 166 00:07:59,984 --> 00:08:02,096 nearby and the town was crawling with 167 00:08:02,096 --> 00:08:04,690 enemy soldiers . This would be their 168 00:08:04,700 --> 00:08:08,000 only chance and they had to move fast . 169 00:08:08,459 --> 00:08:10,790 The men uncoupled the passenger cars 170 00:08:10,799 --> 00:08:13,380 snuck into the locomotive and through 171 00:08:13,390 --> 00:08:16,390 the throttle . The general as the train 172 00:08:16,399 --> 00:08:19,149 was called , bit the track and threw up 173 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,160 sparks . Then it steamed out of the 174 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:23,390 station with an enormous racket , 175 00:08:23,399 --> 00:08:25,899 raising the alarm of the crew and the 176 00:08:25,910 --> 00:08:29,470 nearby enemy troops . As the men rode 177 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,591 north , they stopped several times to 178 00:08:31,591 --> 00:08:33,630 cut telegraph lines and pry up the 179 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:36,229 track with crowbars . And I can imagine 180 00:08:36,239 --> 00:08:38,461 what kind of work that is trying to pry 181 00:08:38,461 --> 00:08:41,570 up crowbar prior to pry up the track 182 00:08:41,580 --> 00:08:43,580 and cut down . Um , the things that 183 00:08:43,580 --> 00:08:46,330 they had with the handheld tools all 184 00:08:46,340 --> 00:08:47,951 along the route . There were 185 00:08:47,951 --> 00:08:50,007 confederate encampments and soldiers 186 00:08:50,007 --> 00:08:52,099 with every stop to damage the line . 187 00:08:52,109 --> 00:08:54,330 The Raiders knew they risked their 188 00:08:54,340 --> 00:08:57,909 discovery and their capture . Still the 189 00:08:57,919 --> 00:09:01,270 men worked on du dutifully tirelessly 190 00:09:01,340 --> 00:09:04,179 and courageously focused on the mission . 191 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:07,210 They tended the engine cut , the lines 192 00:09:07,219 --> 00:09:09,849 worked on the track and it navigated 193 00:09:09,859 --> 00:09:11,770 other traffic along the route . 194 00:09:12,419 --> 00:09:14,270 Eventually though the train crew 195 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:16,710 pursuing them closed the distance and 196 00:09:16,719 --> 00:09:18,719 the general started to lose steam . 197 00:09:18,929 --> 00:09:21,489 Just 18 miles from Chattanooga . The 198 00:09:21,500 --> 00:09:23,444 Raiders were forced to abandon the 199 00:09:23,444 --> 00:09:25,929 train and disperse into the woods . 200 00:09:26,260 --> 00:09:28,940 Unfortunately , all were captured 201 00:09:29,539 --> 00:09:31,650 rightfully . The Raiders of the Great 202 00:09:31,650 --> 00:09:33,650 Locomotive Chase were recognized as 203 00:09:33,650 --> 00:09:36,000 heroes throughout the union . The 204 00:09:36,010 --> 00:09:38,121 survivors were summoned to Washington 205 00:09:38,121 --> 00:09:41,039 DC to receive medals of honor . But due 206 00:09:41,049 --> 00:09:43,160 to some unknown o oversight , private 207 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,580 Shadrack and Wilson were not duly 208 00:09:45,590 --> 00:09:49,380 recognized . Now , 162 years 209 00:09:49,390 --> 00:09:52,140 later , we are setting that straight 210 00:09:52,799 --> 00:09:54,799 because these two men deserve their 211 00:09:54,799 --> 00:09:57,599 place in American history and in army 212 00:09:57,609 --> 00:10:00,159 history , private Shadrack and private 213 00:10:00,169 --> 00:10:02,479 Wilson understood the grave risk ahead 214 00:10:02,489 --> 00:10:05,020 of them . Yet they valiantly 215 00:10:05,039 --> 00:10:07,549 volunteered to go to undertake a 216 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:09,900 terrifying journey into enemy territory 217 00:10:10,270 --> 00:10:12,590 and attempt this bold and important 218 00:10:12,599 --> 00:10:14,799 task . It took in comparable 219 00:10:14,809 --> 00:10:16,820 incomparable courage , but they 220 00:10:16,830 --> 00:10:19,559 committed it for the cause and for 221 00:10:19,570 --> 00:10:21,919 their country . That kind of personal 222 00:10:21,929 --> 00:10:24,059 courage is at the heart of our army 223 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,136 stewarded by soldierss like Shadrack 224 00:10:26,140 --> 00:10:28,940 and Wilson and many exceptional men and 225 00:10:28,950 --> 00:10:31,640 women that have served and sacrificed 226 00:10:31,849 --> 00:10:34,969 in the years since . And it is codified 227 00:10:34,979 --> 00:10:37,760 in our creed that we will always place 228 00:10:37,770 --> 00:10:40,780 the mission first . Never accept defeat , 229 00:10:41,099 --> 00:10:43,590 never quit . Today , we live in an 230 00:10:43,599 --> 00:10:45,770 extremely volatile and interconnected 231 00:10:45,780 --> 00:10:48,109 world , a spark in any region could 232 00:10:48,119 --> 00:10:50,469 have global impacts . Battlefield 233 00:10:50,479 --> 00:10:52,646 technology is rapidly evolving and our 234 00:10:52,646 --> 00:10:54,701 adversaries are growing increasingly 235 00:10:54,701 --> 00:10:57,059 bold , our enemy , our army and our 236 00:10:57,070 --> 00:10:59,830 nation faces many challenges and This 237 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:02,830 is nothing new facing challenges is 238 00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:05,890 what we do . And our formation today 239 00:11:05,900 --> 00:11:08,067 are filled with soldiers like Shadrack 240 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:10,549 and Wilson who are willing to go into 241 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,615 the unknown when asked and undertake 242 00:11:12,615 --> 00:11:14,729 whatever they are asked to do , they 243 00:11:14,739 --> 00:11:16,850 have discipline , take initiative and 244 00:11:16,850 --> 00:11:18,919 fight on towards the mission with 245 00:11:18,929 --> 00:11:21,919 uncommon grit soldiers today draw 246 00:11:21,929 --> 00:11:24,570 inspiration from stories like this one 247 00:11:24,580 --> 00:11:27,679 which remind us of our army's legacy of 248 00:11:27,690 --> 00:11:29,919 valor and that American soldiers stand 249 00:11:29,929 --> 00:11:32,400 ready to defend the constitution and 250 00:11:32,409 --> 00:11:35,440 our way of life no matter the risk . 251 00:11:35,950 --> 00:11:38,419 Thanks again for being here . This will 252 00:11:38,429 --> 00:11:40,239 defend Happy Independence Day . 253 00:11:48,890 --> 00:11:51,112 Ladies and gentlemen , the secretary of 254 00:11:51,112 --> 00:11:52,112 the army . 255 00:12:00,820 --> 00:12:03,359 Good morning , everyone . Thank you , 256 00:12:03,369 --> 00:12:05,480 General George for the account of the 257 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:07,702 extraordinary events that bring us here 258 00:12:07,702 --> 00:12:10,239 today . And thank you Secretary Austin 259 00:12:10,250 --> 00:12:12,083 for joining us in honoring these 260 00:12:12,083 --> 00:12:14,429 American heroes . It's a privilege I 261 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,329 think for all of us to begin this 262 00:12:16,329 --> 00:12:18,440 Independence Day together as we 263 00:12:18,450 --> 00:12:20,940 remember and honor the courage , 264 00:12:20,950 --> 00:12:24,020 sacrifice and patriotism of private 265 00:12:24,030 --> 00:12:26,969 Philip G Shadrack and private George D 266 00:12:26,979 --> 00:12:30,429 Wilson as General George recounted the 267 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,150 remarkable story of this operation in 268 00:12:33,159 --> 00:12:36,390 1862 . It struck me just how 269 00:12:36,400 --> 00:12:38,630 exceptional these two soldiers really 270 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:42,090 were . We know from army records that 271 00:12:42,099 --> 00:12:43,710 private Shadrack was born in 272 00:12:43,710 --> 00:12:46,530 Pennsylvania and joined company K of 273 00:12:46,539 --> 00:12:49,169 the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry 274 00:12:49,179 --> 00:12:52,969 Regiment at the age of 21 . Although 275 00:12:52,979 --> 00:12:55,520 orphaned at an early age , he found 276 00:12:55,530 --> 00:12:57,979 another family in the men of the Second 277 00:12:57,989 --> 00:13:01,059 Ohio in the Andrews Raiders . Private 278 00:13:01,070 --> 00:13:03,369 Shadrack is described as having blue 279 00:13:03,380 --> 00:13:06,320 eyes that sparkled with mischief . It 280 00:13:06,330 --> 00:13:08,520 was that mischief and sense of humor 281 00:13:08,530 --> 00:13:10,586 that kept his fellow Raiders in good 282 00:13:10,586 --> 00:13:13,320 spirits and full of laughter despite 283 00:13:13,330 --> 00:13:15,663 the hardships of their mission together , 284 00:13:16,179 --> 00:13:18,599 we also know about private Wilson who 285 00:13:18,609 --> 00:13:21,119 was born in Ohio and served in company 286 00:13:21,130 --> 00:13:24,090 B of the Second Ohio Volunteer infantry 287 00:13:24,099 --> 00:13:27,640 regiment . He was 31 years old when he 288 00:13:27,650 --> 00:13:29,919 joined the Andrews Raiders , almost a 289 00:13:29,929 --> 00:13:32,151 decade older than the rest of the men . 290 00:13:32,729 --> 00:13:34,618 By all accounts , he was the most 291 00:13:34,618 --> 00:13:36,599 intelligent and well spoken of the 292 00:13:36,609 --> 00:13:38,750 group . Although he had no formal 293 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:42,070 education like Shadrick , he was well 294 00:13:42,090 --> 00:13:43,979 loved by the other members of the 295 00:13:43,979 --> 00:13:45,840 Rating Party . Frequently the 296 00:13:45,849 --> 00:13:47,627 historical documents telling us 297 00:13:47,627 --> 00:13:49,979 starting energetic discussions or 298 00:13:49,989 --> 00:13:52,380 leading debates on a variety of topics , 299 00:13:53,099 --> 00:13:55,419 the qualities of these two men , their 300 00:13:55,429 --> 00:13:57,770 loyalty to a united nation , to a 301 00:13:57,780 --> 00:14:00,830 united nation , their selfless service 302 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,549 in the army , their bravery and courage 303 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:06,729 as they seize the enemy locomotive and 304 00:14:06,739 --> 00:14:08,961 the close camaraderie they had with the 305 00:14:08,961 --> 00:14:11,072 other members of the Rating Party are 306 00:14:11,072 --> 00:14:13,200 qualities shared by generations of 307 00:14:13,210 --> 00:14:16,210 American soldiers . The values that 308 00:14:16,219 --> 00:14:18,750 drove these men are the same values 309 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:21,369 that have driven soldiers since the 310 00:14:21,380 --> 00:14:23,880 revolutionary war and to the beaches of 311 00:14:23,890 --> 00:14:26,669 Normandy values that continue to live 312 00:14:26,679 --> 00:14:29,489 on today in the men and women that are 313 00:14:29,500 --> 00:14:32,380 currently serving in our army . When 314 00:14:32,390 --> 00:14:34,612 the last members of the Andrews Raiders 315 00:14:34,612 --> 00:14:36,612 were released from captivity . They 316 00:14:36,612 --> 00:14:39,380 provided a full report of the operation 317 00:14:39,549 --> 00:14:41,780 and the executions of private Shadrack 318 00:14:42,099 --> 00:14:44,940 and private Wilson . President Lincoln 319 00:14:44,950 --> 00:14:47,869 personally met with the survivors . The 320 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,047 account that the survivors gave of the 321 00:14:50,047 --> 00:14:52,619 courageous acts of the raid , the toll 322 00:14:52,630 --> 00:14:54,686 that their imprisonment took on them 323 00:14:54,686 --> 00:14:56,760 and the ultimate sacrifice that some 324 00:14:56,770 --> 00:14:59,400 members of the raiding team made deeply 325 00:14:59,409 --> 00:15:01,900 affected the president . He remarked 326 00:15:01,909 --> 00:15:04,289 quote with much feeling that their 327 00:15:04,299 --> 00:15:06,750 story served as an example of the 328 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:08,927 strong characteristics of the American 329 00:15:08,927 --> 00:15:12,719 soldier for over a century . Stories of 330 00:15:12,729 --> 00:15:15,340 the Andrews Raiders carried a footnote 331 00:15:15,419 --> 00:15:17,530 next to the names of private Shadrack 332 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,299 and private Wilson that unlike the 333 00:15:20,309 --> 00:15:23,099 other 19 soldiers on the raid , these 334 00:15:23,109 --> 00:15:25,619 two men did not receive the medal of 335 00:15:25,630 --> 00:15:28,229 honor . Generations , I think of 336 00:15:28,239 --> 00:15:30,461 Shadrach and Wilson's may have wondered 337 00:15:30,461 --> 00:15:33,200 over the years , why was this the case 338 00:15:33,580 --> 00:15:35,469 were private Shadrack and private 339 00:15:35,469 --> 00:15:38,820 Wilson , in fact , not heroes , but 340 00:15:38,830 --> 00:15:41,349 yesterday , as the president presented 341 00:15:41,359 --> 00:15:43,526 the two medals of honor , he put these 342 00:15:43,526 --> 00:15:45,669 doubts to rest and removed that 343 00:15:45,679 --> 00:15:48,260 footnote from the history books from 344 00:15:48,270 --> 00:15:50,437 now on . There will be no doubt in the 345 00:15:50,437 --> 00:15:52,799 family stories or in the historical 346 00:15:52,809 --> 00:15:56,250 record that these two men were in fact 347 00:15:56,260 --> 00:15:59,830 heroes , heroes who served with courage 348 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,510 and bravery , heroes who served 349 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,169 selflessly and fought for a United 350 00:16:05,179 --> 00:16:07,510 Country heroes who made a great 351 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:10,559 sacrifice for our nation . And these 352 00:16:10,570 --> 00:16:12,737 doubts could not have been put to rest 353 00:16:12,737 --> 00:16:14,909 without the work of family members , 354 00:16:14,919 --> 00:16:18,010 historians and elected representatives 355 00:16:18,059 --> 00:16:21,080 who've devoted years to verifying what 356 00:16:21,090 --> 00:16:23,919 actually took place and ensuring that 357 00:16:23,929 --> 00:16:26,570 these acts of heroism received the 358 00:16:26,580 --> 00:16:29,385 recognition that they deserved . Many 359 00:16:29,395 --> 00:16:31,765 of you here today were involved in that 360 00:16:31,775 --> 00:16:34,744 effort . Thank you for your persistence , 361 00:16:34,755 --> 00:16:37,465 your dedication and your commitment to 362 00:16:37,474 --> 00:16:39,585 ensuring that private Shadrick and 363 00:16:39,594 --> 00:16:42,474 private Wilson receive the honor and 364 00:16:42,484 --> 00:16:45,340 recognition that they are due . While 365 00:16:45,349 --> 00:16:47,830 the character of conflict has changed 366 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:51,200 many times since 1862 . And our army 367 00:16:51,210 --> 00:16:53,520 looks very different than it did back 368 00:16:53,530 --> 00:16:56,099 then . The values that private Shadrack 369 00:16:56,380 --> 00:16:58,789 and private Wilson exemplified in life 370 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,056 and upheld , even as they were being 371 00:17:01,056 --> 00:17:04,390 put to death remain the values that all 372 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,150 American soldiers strive to embody . 373 00:17:07,918 --> 00:17:10,458 Today's ceremony is an opportunity to 374 00:17:10,468 --> 00:17:13,418 recognize and celebrate these two men 375 00:17:13,428 --> 00:17:16,379 for their heroic actions 100 and 62 376 00:17:16,389 --> 00:17:19,869 years ago . But it's also a moment to 377 00:17:19,879 --> 00:17:23,808 rededicate ourselves and um , recommit 378 00:17:23,818 --> 00:17:26,759 to the values that they represented . 379 00:17:26,779 --> 00:17:30,048 Duty , courage , loyalty , 380 00:17:30,409 --> 00:17:33,739 honor , service and integrity . Today , 381 00:17:33,750 --> 00:17:36,439 July 4th , our country's Independence 382 00:17:36,449 --> 00:17:39,069 Day is the perfect day to recommit 383 00:17:39,079 --> 00:17:41,699 ourselves to the values that private 384 00:17:41,709 --> 00:17:44,589 Shadrack and Wilson stood for the 385 00:17:44,599 --> 00:17:46,599 values that lie at the heart of our 386 00:17:46,599 --> 00:17:49,339 great army as we continue to protect 387 00:17:49,349 --> 00:17:51,780 and defend this great nation . Thank 388 00:17:51,790 --> 00:17:52,790 you , 389 00:18:01,430 --> 00:18:03,652 ladies and gentlemen , the Secretary of 390 00:18:03,652 --> 00:18:03,640 Defense . 391 00:18:20,969 --> 00:18:23,191 Well , good morning and Happy Fourth of 392 00:18:23,191 --> 00:18:26,599 July . It is indeed an honor to welcome 393 00:18:26,609 --> 00:18:29,280 you to the Hall of Heroes , Secretary 394 00:18:29,290 --> 00:18:32,060 of War General George . Thanks for your 395 00:18:32,069 --> 00:18:35,829 moving works along with sergeant major 396 00:18:35,839 --> 00:18:37,869 of the army . Weimer . Thanks for 397 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:40,439 leading the United States Army with 398 00:18:40,449 --> 00:18:43,280 such skill and professionalism . 399 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:46,578 I'm also pleased to see so many 400 00:18:46,578 --> 00:18:48,689 outstanding department of defense and 401 00:18:48,689 --> 00:18:51,400 army leaders with us today . Let me 402 00:18:51,410 --> 00:18:54,479 also thank our honored guest today , 403 00:18:54,489 --> 00:18:57,119 the , the families of private Philip 404 00:18:57,130 --> 00:18:59,910 Shadrick and private George Wilson . 405 00:19:01,569 --> 00:19:04,180 You are the bridge back to their 406 00:19:04,189 --> 00:19:07,550 bravery . You carry their legacy 407 00:19:08,829 --> 00:19:10,940 and we're deeply grateful to have you 408 00:19:10,940 --> 00:19:14,729 here . It's a huge honor to hold this 409 00:19:14,739 --> 00:19:16,489 ceremony on Independence Day , 410 00:19:18,810 --> 00:19:21,250 every fourth of July , we celebrate the , 411 00:19:21,260 --> 00:19:23,469 our founding values of freedom , 412 00:19:23,949 --> 00:19:27,530 democracy , and the rule of law . And 413 00:19:27,540 --> 00:19:29,500 by gathering today , we remind 414 00:19:29,510 --> 00:19:33,079 ourselves of how much it took to turn 415 00:19:33,089 --> 00:19:36,430 those principles into human government . 416 00:19:38,869 --> 00:19:40,813 Just a few minutes . Uh Just a few 417 00:19:40,813 --> 00:19:42,869 generations after we won our freedom 418 00:19:42,869 --> 00:19:44,939 from the British Crown . Our new 419 00:19:44,949 --> 00:19:48,750 republic was ripped apart in his 420 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,959 Independence Day message in 1861 421 00:19:51,969 --> 00:19:54,469 President Lincoln said that our 422 00:19:54,479 --> 00:19:56,423 American experiment was struggling 423 00:19:56,423 --> 00:19:58,590 against those who fought to put an end 424 00:19:59,589 --> 00:20:01,459 to free government upon earth . 425 00:20:03,469 --> 00:20:05,580 And we have gathered to salute two of 426 00:20:05,580 --> 00:20:07,859 the bravest soldiers ever to fight for 427 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,390 free government , private shed wreck 428 00:20:12,060 --> 00:20:16,040 and private Wilson in 1862 . 429 00:20:16,050 --> 00:20:19,140 As you've heard the civilian scout 430 00:20:19,670 --> 00:20:21,448 James J . Andrews convinced the 431 00:20:21,449 --> 00:20:23,282 commander of the Union forces in 432 00:20:23,282 --> 00:20:25,310 central Tennessee to try to steal a 433 00:20:25,319 --> 00:20:28,420 train and use it to rip up the railroad 434 00:20:28,430 --> 00:20:31,069 behind it and cut off the rebels 435 00:20:31,079 --> 00:20:33,190 ability to resupply their forces from 436 00:20:33,190 --> 00:20:36,790 Atlanta . The men we honor 437 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:39,660 today , raise their hands for that 438 00:20:39,670 --> 00:20:43,410 stunning rate . One comrade remembered . 439 00:20:44,260 --> 00:20:47,180 But private shed , right ? Was solidly 440 00:20:47,189 --> 00:20:51,130 built Mary and reckless 441 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:54,589 with an inexhaustible store of good 442 00:20:54,599 --> 00:20:57,819 nature . Yet his brothers in arms could 443 00:20:57,829 --> 00:21:00,579 count on him as one said to sacrifice 444 00:21:00,589 --> 00:21:04,359 anything for a friend . Other 445 00:21:04,369 --> 00:21:07,410 soldiers said that private Wilson was 446 00:21:07,420 --> 00:21:10,089 tall and spare with high cheekbones and 447 00:21:10,099 --> 00:21:13,020 sharp gray eyes . And his battle 448 00:21:13,030 --> 00:21:16,920 buddies felt from him . A greatness of 449 00:21:16,930 --> 00:21:19,810 soul which sympathized intensely with 450 00:21:19,819 --> 00:21:21,739 our struggle for national life . 451 00:21:24,170 --> 00:21:27,189 On April 12th , private Shad Wright 452 00:21:27,199 --> 00:21:29,143 private Wilson and the rest of the 453 00:21:29,143 --> 00:21:32,150 Andrews Raiders set off . They were 454 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:36,030 outnumbered , outgunned and far behind 455 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:39,869 enemy lines . But when the time came , 456 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:41,991 they seized the locomotive from under 457 00:21:41,991 --> 00:21:44,102 the noses of the confederate troops . 458 00:21:45,199 --> 00:21:47,310 It was a painfully thrilling moment . 459 00:21:47,310 --> 00:21:51,219 One of the Raiders recall we were 460 00:21:51,229 --> 00:21:54,989 but 20 with an army about us and a 461 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:58,520 long difficult road before us crowded 462 00:21:58,530 --> 00:22:01,500 with enemies . So they sped away , 463 00:22:02,089 --> 00:22:05,660 racing against their pursuers , racing 464 00:22:05,670 --> 00:22:09,420 against time and racing against fate . 465 00:22:10,969 --> 00:22:13,025 The union Raiders tore up the tracks 466 00:22:13,025 --> 00:22:15,459 behind them . They ripped down the 467 00:22:15,469 --> 00:22:18,680 telegraph cables above them and they 468 00:22:18,689 --> 00:22:20,900 damage key transportation and 469 00:22:20,910 --> 00:22:24,800 communication lines . But the 470 00:22:24,810 --> 00:22:26,770 Raiders soon ran out of fuel 471 00:22:28,930 --> 00:22:31,859 and out of luck . And private Shadrack 472 00:22:32,150 --> 00:22:34,372 and Private Wilson were among the first 473 00:22:34,372 --> 00:22:37,459 to be captured . And a confederate 474 00:22:37,469 --> 00:22:39,691 military court sentenced them to hang . 475 00:22:40,969 --> 00:22:42,691 Private , Shad told his fellow 476 00:22:42,691 --> 00:22:46,430 prisoners that he sought comfort in his 477 00:22:46,439 --> 00:22:49,839 faith . Private Wilson's 478 00:22:49,849 --> 00:22:52,719 thoughts also turn to his trust in God 479 00:22:52,729 --> 00:22:54,451 and to his belief in America . 480 00:22:56,750 --> 00:22:58,859 One account says that Wilson was 481 00:22:58,869 --> 00:23:02,819 surrounded by a scowling crowd , but 482 00:23:02,829 --> 00:23:05,020 he spoke to them while standing under 483 00:23:05,030 --> 00:23:08,770 the gallows and private Wilson 484 00:23:08,780 --> 00:23:12,310 told that angry crowd that they would 485 00:23:12,420 --> 00:23:15,760 yet see the time when the old 486 00:23:15,770 --> 00:23:19,510 Union would be restored and when its 487 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:22,780 flag would wave over them again , 488 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:28,400 and he was right . And on this fourth 489 00:23:28,410 --> 00:23:32,270 of July , our flag still waves 490 00:23:33,050 --> 00:23:35,160 or the free citizens of the United 491 00:23:35,170 --> 00:23:36,281 States of America . 492 00:23:39,109 --> 00:23:41,331 And as you've heard nearly a year after 493 00:23:41,331 --> 00:23:43,331 the Andrews raid Secretary of War , 494 00:23:43,331 --> 00:23:45,719 Edwin Stanton , welcome the surviving 495 00:23:45,729 --> 00:23:48,630 Raiders to Washington . And he 496 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:51,329 presented them with a newly created 497 00:23:51,339 --> 00:23:54,270 award for valor making them the first 498 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:56,502 us service members to receive the medal 499 00:23:56,502 --> 00:23:59,430 of honor . And today , more than 100 500 00:23:59,439 --> 00:24:02,349 and 60 years later , we complete that 501 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:05,310 arc of history and we link the first 502 00:24:05,319 --> 00:24:07,541 recipients of the medal of honor to the 503 00:24:07,541 --> 00:24:10,560 newest recipients of the medal of honor . 504 00:24:12,260 --> 00:24:14,204 The names of Private Philip Shed , 505 00:24:14,204 --> 00:24:17,089 right ? And Private George Wilson will 506 00:24:17,099 --> 00:24:19,880 be inscribed forever in the Hall of 507 00:24:19,890 --> 00:24:23,599 Heroes alongside their fellow 508 00:24:23,609 --> 00:24:27,089 Raiders . Their medals are new 509 00:24:28,550 --> 00:24:30,650 yet their bravery is eternal 510 00:24:33,439 --> 00:24:35,920 on this independence day . Their story 511 00:24:35,930 --> 00:24:38,989 reminds us of the American patriots who 512 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:42,839 risked everything for our freedom and 513 00:24:42,849 --> 00:24:46,770 for our union and for our future 514 00:24:46,780 --> 00:24:48,430 of liberty under law . 515 00:24:50,959 --> 00:24:53,489 Their story doesn't just inspire us . 516 00:24:54,719 --> 00:24:58,560 It challenges us . So we are 517 00:24:58,569 --> 00:25:00,959 not just here to honor their sacrifice . 518 00:25:01,979 --> 00:25:04,650 We are here to live up to their example . 519 00:25:06,949 --> 00:25:10,140 Democracy is a daily referendum . 520 00:25:12,089 --> 00:25:14,300 It's not just a consequence of grand 521 00:25:14,310 --> 00:25:16,859 actions but the sum of small decisions . 522 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:20,569 And that's true every day and not just 523 00:25:20,579 --> 00:25:21,912 on the fourth of July , 524 00:25:25,239 --> 00:25:28,520 democracy is never a thing done . An 525 00:25:28,530 --> 00:25:32,390 American poet once wrote democracy is 526 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:35,599 always something that a nation must be 527 00:25:35,609 --> 00:25:39,430 doing . So it is always the 528 00:25:39,439 --> 00:25:41,239 right time to salute America's 529 00:25:41,250 --> 00:25:44,719 independence . It is 530 00:25:44,729 --> 00:25:47,109 always the right time to reaffirm 531 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:50,599 America's values and it is 532 00:25:50,609 --> 00:25:52,709 always the right time to honor 533 00:25:52,719 --> 00:25:54,109 America's heroes . 534 00:25:57,670 --> 00:26:00,060 May God bless the memories of private 535 00:26:00,069 --> 00:26:02,013 Philip Shadrick and private George 536 00:26:02,013 --> 00:26:05,290 Wilson . And may God continue to bless 537 00:26:05,300 --> 00:26:07,356 the United States of America ? Thank 538 00:26:07,356 --> 00:26:08,356 you . 539 00:26:17,229 --> 00:26:19,285 Ladies and gentlemen , please remain 540 00:26:19,285 --> 00:26:22,140 seated during the presentations . The 541 00:26:22,150 --> 00:26:24,039 President of the United States of 542 00:26:24,039 --> 00:26:26,150 America authorized by Act of Congress 543 00:26:26,150 --> 00:26:29,150 March 3rd , 1863 has posthumously 544 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:31,271 awarded in the name of Congress , the 545 00:26:31,271 --> 00:26:33,216 medal of honor to Private Philip G 546 00:26:33,216 --> 00:26:35,619 Shadrack and private George D Wilson 547 00:26:35,750 --> 00:26:37,550 for conspicuous gallantry and 548 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:40,079 intrepidity at the risk of their lives 549 00:26:40,089 --> 00:26:42,239 above and beyond the call of duty . 550 00:26:42,630 --> 00:26:44,979 Private Philip G Shadrack and private 551 00:26:44,989 --> 00:26:46,656 George D Wilson distinguished 552 00:26:46,656 --> 00:26:48,656 themselves by acts of Gallantry and 553 00:26:48,656 --> 00:26:50,767 intrepidity above and beyond the call 554 00:26:50,767 --> 00:26:52,878 of duty while serving with the Second 555 00:26:52,878 --> 00:26:55,329 Ohio Volunteer infantry in Georgia . On 556 00:26:55,339 --> 00:26:58,630 12 April 1862 Private 557 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:00,974 Shadrack in Private Wilson were two of 558 00:27:00,984 --> 00:27:03,724 22 Andrews Raiders who by direction of 559 00:27:03,734 --> 00:27:05,744 Major General Ormsby M . Mitchell 560 00:27:05,755 --> 00:27:08,344 penetrated nearly 200 miles south into 561 00:27:08,354 --> 00:27:10,665 enemy territory upon capturing a 562 00:27:10,675 --> 00:27:13,008 railroad train at Big Shanty in Georgia . 563 00:27:13,008 --> 00:27:15,008 The group set out to complete their 564 00:27:15,008 --> 00:27:16,953 mission of disrupting enemy supply 565 00:27:16,953 --> 00:27:19,119 lines by destroying bridges and tracks 566 00:27:19,119 --> 00:27:21,175 between Chattanooga and in Atlanta , 567 00:27:21,599 --> 00:27:24,140 private Shadrack and Private Wilson's 568 00:27:24,150 --> 00:27:26,261 gallant actions in close contact with 569 00:27:26,261 --> 00:27:28,206 the enemy were in keeping with the 570 00:27:28,206 --> 00:27:30,372 highest traditions of military service 571 00:27:30,372 --> 00:27:32,039 and reflect great credit upon 572 00:27:32,039 --> 00:27:34,150 themselves . The army of the Ohio and 573 00:27:34,150 --> 00:27:37,189 the United States Army for the 574 00:27:37,199 --> 00:27:39,369 presentations . We invite Secretary 575 00:27:39,380 --> 00:27:41,839 Austin , Secretary , Warmth General 576 00:27:41,849 --> 00:27:43,949 George Sergeant Major Weimer and 577 00:27:43,959 --> 00:27:46,229 Private Shad's great , great nephew , 578 00:27:46,239 --> 00:27:49,030 Mr Gerald Taylor , joined by Mr Brian 579 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:50,550 Taylor on the stage , 580 00:28:05,459 --> 00:28:06,459 listen , 581 00:28:14,229 --> 00:28:16,329 war will now present Mister Gerald 582 00:28:16,339 --> 00:28:18,450 Taylor with a framed photo of private 583 00:28:18,450 --> 00:28:20,750 Shadrack and medal of honor citation . 584 00:28:40,380 --> 00:28:42,547 At this time , the medal of honor flag 585 00:28:42,547 --> 00:28:46,400 will be presented on 23 October 2002 586 00:28:46,410 --> 00:28:49,319 public law 1072 48 section 587 00:28:49,329 --> 00:28:52,189 8143 established the medal of honor 588 00:28:52,199 --> 00:28:54,310 flag to recognize service members who 589 00:28:54,310 --> 00:28:56,143 have distinguished themselves by 590 00:28:56,143 --> 00:28:58,199 Gallantry in action above and beyond 591 00:28:58,199 --> 00:29:00,339 the call of duty . The medal of honor 592 00:29:00,349 --> 00:29:02,550 flag commemorates the sacrifice and 593 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:04,569 bloodshed of our freedoms and gives 594 00:29:04,579 --> 00:29:06,635 emphasis to the medal of honor being 595 00:29:06,635 --> 00:29:08,523 the highest award for valor by an 596 00:29:08,523 --> 00:29:10,690 individual serving in the armed forces 597 00:29:10,690 --> 00:29:14,489 of the United States . The light 598 00:29:14,500 --> 00:29:17,790 blue color with gold fringe bearing 13 599 00:29:17,800 --> 00:29:20,060 white stars are adapted from the medal 600 00:29:20,069 --> 00:29:21,069 of honor ribbon . 601 00:29:32,489 --> 00:29:34,239 Thank you Taylor family . 602 00:29:49,469 --> 00:29:51,413 We invite private Wilson's great , 603 00:29:51,413 --> 00:29:53,302 great granddaughter , Miss Teresa 604 00:29:53,302 --> 00:29:55,469 Chandler , joined by Mr Scott Chandler 605 00:29:55,469 --> 00:29:57,739 and Miss Kim Chandler to the stage . 606 00:30:13,050 --> 00:30:15,217 We will now present Miss Chandler with 607 00:30:15,217 --> 00:30:17,439 a framed photo of private Wilson and 608 00:30:17,449 --> 00:30:18,989 medal of honor citation . 609 00:30:40,869 --> 00:30:43,036 At this time , the medal of honor flag 610 00:30:43,036 --> 00:30:45,091 will be presented to Miss Chandler . 611 00:31:04,770 --> 00:31:06,520 Thank you , Secretary Austin , 612 00:31:06,530 --> 00:31:09,079 Secretary , Warmth General George and 613 00:31:09,089 --> 00:31:13,079 Sergeant Major Weimer will the 614 00:31:13,089 --> 00:31:15,256 Taylor family join the Chandler family 615 00:31:15,256 --> 00:31:17,089 on the stage for the unveiling . 616 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:26,511 The medal of honor plaque will now be 617 00:31:26,511 --> 00:31:28,750 unveiled inducting private Shadrack and 618 00:31:28,760 --> 00:31:31,229 Private Wilson into the Hall of Heroes . 619 00:31:49,239 --> 00:31:51,469 Thank you Taylor family and Chandler 620 00:31:51,479 --> 00:31:51,989 family . 621 00:32:07,900 --> 00:32:09,789 At this time , please direct your 622 00:32:09,789 --> 00:32:11,956 attention to the screen . As a soldier 623 00:32:11,956 --> 00:32:14,067 unveils the names of private Shadrack 624 00:32:14,067 --> 00:32:16,011 and Private Wilson on the Medal of 625 00:32:16,011 --> 00:32:17,900 honor Garden Wall at the National 626 00:32:17,900 --> 00:32:19,844 Museum of the United States Army . 627 00:32:50,199 --> 00:32:52,750 Ladies and gentlemen , Mr Brian Taylor . 628 00:33:03,329 --> 00:33:05,496 Good morning . And thank you very much 629 00:33:05,496 --> 00:33:07,329 esteemed leadership and military 630 00:33:07,329 --> 00:33:09,496 members and families of private George 631 00:33:09,496 --> 00:33:11,689 Wilson . My name is Brian Taylor and I 632 00:33:11,699 --> 00:33:13,866 am the great , great , great nephew of 633 00:33:13,866 --> 00:33:16,032 private Philip Shadrack from company K 634 00:33:16,032 --> 00:33:18,199 of the Second Ohio Infantry and one of 635 00:33:18,199 --> 00:33:20,310 Andrew's Raiders who took part in the 636 00:33:20,310 --> 00:33:22,477 Great Locomotive Chase of April 12th , 637 00:33:22,477 --> 00:33:24,699 1862 . I'm also proud to be able to say 638 00:33:24,699 --> 00:33:26,643 for the very first time that as of 639 00:33:26,643 --> 00:33:28,643 yesterday and the reason that we're 640 00:33:28,643 --> 00:33:30,810 here today is that Private Shadrack is 641 00:33:30,810 --> 00:33:30,660 one of the newest recipients of the 642 00:33:30,670 --> 00:33:32,559 medal of honor along with Private 643 00:33:32,559 --> 00:33:35,199 Wilson . When my Uncle Gerald Taylor 644 00:33:35,209 --> 00:33:37,320 who received the medal from President 645 00:33:37,320 --> 00:33:39,376 Biden . Yesterday , asked me to give 646 00:33:39,376 --> 00:33:41,320 this speech today . I was not only 647 00:33:41,320 --> 00:33:40,939 honored to be able to speak for the 648 00:33:40,949 --> 00:33:43,439 descendants of private shad , but also 649 00:33:43,449 --> 00:33:45,469 more than a little bit scared , not 650 00:33:45,479 --> 00:33:47,590 scared of the prospect of standing in 651 00:33:47,590 --> 00:33:49,757 front of you all . But uh a little bit 652 00:33:49,757 --> 00:33:51,812 more scared about being just able to 653 00:33:51,812 --> 00:33:53,757 articulate how our f our family is 654 00:33:53,757 --> 00:33:55,923 feeling at this moment . I think I can 655 00:33:55,923 --> 00:33:58,035 sum up our collective feelings in the 656 00:33:58,035 --> 00:34:00,146 following way as well as being deeply 657 00:34:00,146 --> 00:34:02,257 overwhelmed by the attention that was 658 00:34:02,257 --> 00:34:04,146 directed our way . We feel a deep 659 00:34:04,146 --> 00:34:06,312 gratitude to the government and the US 660 00:34:06,312 --> 00:34:08,479 military who have expended such energy 661 00:34:08,479 --> 00:34:10,590 and shown such love toward our fallen 662 00:34:10,590 --> 00:34:12,423 uncle . Just the sheer number of 663 00:34:12,423 --> 00:34:14,368 military members who spoke with us 664 00:34:14,368 --> 00:34:16,535 yesterday following the medal ceremony 665 00:34:16,535 --> 00:34:18,590 was astounding the congratulations , 666 00:34:18,590 --> 00:34:20,739 thanks and appreciation toward their 667 00:34:20,750 --> 00:34:22,861 fallen comrade from a war which ended 668 00:34:22,861 --> 00:34:24,472 many years ago , made us all 669 00:34:24,472 --> 00:34:26,528 exceptionally proud to be a Shadrack 670 00:34:26,528 --> 00:34:28,583 relative . I wanna let you know in a 671 00:34:28,583 --> 00:34:30,583 little bit of an inside family joke 672 00:34:30,583 --> 00:34:32,694 that we've had for a very long time . 673 00:34:32,694 --> 00:34:34,917 Private Shadrack never really seemed to 674 00:34:34,917 --> 00:34:34,878 be the right thing to call our ancestor , 675 00:34:34,888 --> 00:34:37,110 nor did Uncle Shadrack or Perry like he 676 00:34:37,110 --> 00:34:39,221 like to be known . So at some point , 677 00:34:39,221 --> 00:34:41,166 probably 20 years ago , we started 678 00:34:41,166 --> 00:34:43,055 calling him Uncle Steeler an o an 679 00:34:43,055 --> 00:34:45,559 homage to him stealing the train . 680 00:34:46,468 --> 00:34:48,698 Once we uh lovingly started calling him 681 00:34:48,708 --> 00:34:50,652 by this nickname . Everyone in the 682 00:34:50,652 --> 00:34:52,875 family knew exactly who we were talking 683 00:34:52,875 --> 00:34:55,100 about right away . Un as Uncle Steeler 684 00:34:55,110 --> 00:34:57,370 died at such a young age , only 21 was 685 00:34:57,379 --> 00:34:59,601 he when he was executed ? We don't have 686 00:34:59,601 --> 00:35:01,823 a lot of personal information about who 687 00:35:01,823 --> 00:35:03,879 he was as a person . What we've been 688 00:35:03,879 --> 00:35:05,823 able to learn through a few family 689 00:35:05,823 --> 00:35:07,768 stories and historical information 690 00:35:07,768 --> 00:35:09,990 leads us to the following conclusions . 691 00:35:09,990 --> 00:35:12,157 We believe that he was a young man who 692 00:35:12,157 --> 00:35:14,379 was deeply proud of his country and the 693 00:35:14,379 --> 00:35:16,601 cause of the union . He volunteered for 694 00:35:16,601 --> 00:35:18,712 a mission that he likely knew nothing 695 00:35:18,712 --> 00:35:20,935 about in advance . And once the mission 696 00:35:20,935 --> 00:35:23,157 was laid out in the days prior to April 697 00:35:23,157 --> 00:35:25,379 12th , he followed through with what he 698 00:35:25,379 --> 00:35:27,546 had volunteered to do , even though he 699 00:35:27,546 --> 00:35:29,712 must have known that his capture meant 700 00:35:29,712 --> 00:35:31,768 almost certain death as with many of 701 00:35:31,768 --> 00:35:33,935 the union soldiers , his dedication to 702 00:35:33,935 --> 00:35:35,712 the abolition of slavery , most 703 00:35:35,712 --> 00:35:37,990 certainly informed his decision making , 704 00:35:37,990 --> 00:35:40,157 bravery and likely a touch of youthful 705 00:35:40,157 --> 00:35:42,323 bravado also seemed to rhyme about his 706 00:35:42,323 --> 00:35:45,050 personality . My father Doug Taylor , 707 00:35:45,060 --> 00:35:46,949 who started this seemingly uphill 708 00:35:46,949 --> 00:35:49,171 battle to have the medal awarded is not 709 00:35:49,171 --> 00:35:51,282 able to be here with us today because 710 00:35:51,282 --> 00:35:53,393 of ill health . I cannot imagine that 711 00:35:53,393 --> 00:35:55,560 when he started sending mail faxes and 712 00:35:55,560 --> 00:35:57,671 later emails . When he learned to use 713 00:35:57,671 --> 00:35:59,893 his computer to anyone who would listen 714 00:35:59,893 --> 00:36:02,060 that he actually believed that 20 plus 715 00:36:02,060 --> 00:36:04,171 years down the road , the medal would 716 00:36:04,171 --> 00:36:06,620 actually be awarded 162 years after 717 00:36:06,629 --> 00:36:09,429 Andrew's raid took place . I've been in 718 00:36:09,439 --> 00:36:11,495 contact with him a lot over the last 719 00:36:11,495 --> 00:36:13,439 several days and I can hear in his 720 00:36:13,439 --> 00:36:15,106 voice the satisfaction at the 721 00:36:15,106 --> 00:36:16,939 culmination of his hard work and 722 00:36:16,939 --> 00:36:19,129 dedication not to be forgotten in this 723 00:36:19,139 --> 00:36:21,195 endeavor or the contributions of our 724 00:36:21,199 --> 00:36:24,159 cousin Ron Shadrack . Ron really took 725 00:36:24,169 --> 00:36:26,280 up the reins in 2012 when he enlisted 726 00:36:26,280 --> 00:36:28,169 the help of the incredibly gifted 727 00:36:28,169 --> 00:36:30,336 historian Brad Quinlan to help get the 728 00:36:30,336 --> 00:36:32,558 final push done . Thank you both . So , 729 00:36:32,558 --> 00:36:36,280 so very much for this . Our family 730 00:36:36,290 --> 00:36:38,401 hopes that the bravery and dedication 731 00:36:38,401 --> 00:36:40,512 to both country and humanity shown by 732 00:36:40,512 --> 00:36:42,734 both new medal of honor recipients will 733 00:36:42,734 --> 00:36:44,401 serve as an example to future 734 00:36:44,401 --> 00:36:46,568 generations , bringing people together 735 00:36:46,568 --> 00:36:48,734 rather than seeing them as seeing them 736 00:36:48,734 --> 00:36:50,870 as the other , believing in a cause 737 00:36:50,879 --> 00:36:53,101 that is greater than the individual and 738 00:36:53,101 --> 00:36:55,229 being strong in the face of adversity 739 00:36:55,260 --> 00:36:57,399 are all things that we can strive for 740 00:36:58,850 --> 00:37:01,840 private Philip Gebhard Shadrack Perry , 741 00:37:02,219 --> 00:37:04,790 Uncle Steeler . You are remembered and 742 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:07,022 loved . Thank you for your contribution 743 00:37:07,022 --> 00:37:09,244 to the reuniting of the country and the 744 00:37:09,244 --> 00:37:11,356 principle that all people are created 745 00:37:11,356 --> 00:37:14,340 equal with the rights to life , liberty 746 00:37:14,409 --> 00:37:16,465 and the pursuit of happiness . Thank 747 00:37:16,465 --> 00:37:16,429 you . 748 00:37:26,449 --> 00:37:28,560 Thank you , Mr Taylor . Ladies and 749 00:37:28,570 --> 00:37:30,514 gentlemen , Miss Teresa Chandler . 750 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:41,820 Good morning , everyone . I'm Teresa 751 00:37:41,830 --> 00:37:43,889 Chandler , the great great 752 00:37:43,899 --> 00:37:46,110 granddaughter of George Davenport 753 00:37:46,120 --> 00:37:49,790 Wilson . Yeah , my Children take care 754 00:37:49,800 --> 00:37:53,370 of me , distinguished 755 00:37:53,379 --> 00:37:55,969 leaders , distinguished guests and 756 00:37:55,979 --> 00:37:59,649 members of my family . We have been 757 00:37:59,659 --> 00:38:01,780 brought here together to bring honor 758 00:38:02,030 --> 00:38:04,060 and recognition to my great , great 759 00:38:04,070 --> 00:38:07,139 grandfather , George Davenport Wilson , 760 00:38:07,510 --> 00:38:09,419 private first class of the second 761 00:38:09,429 --> 00:38:12,979 company , Ohio volunteers . His heroic 762 00:38:12,989 --> 00:38:15,045 actions have earned him our nation's 763 00:38:15,045 --> 00:38:17,370 highest military honor . The medal of 764 00:38:17,379 --> 00:38:21,189 honor . George was highly intellectual 765 00:38:21,500 --> 00:38:24,199 and well traveled . He was a man of 766 00:38:24,209 --> 00:38:26,760 strong convictions with an intense 767 00:38:26,770 --> 00:38:29,989 passion to serve his country . He was 768 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:32,760 unwavering in his commitment to assist 769 00:38:32,770 --> 00:38:35,570 in the preservation of the union and 770 00:38:35,580 --> 00:38:39,330 the elimination of slavery . Given his 771 00:38:39,340 --> 00:38:42,000 incredible spirit and his love of 772 00:38:42,010 --> 00:38:44,750 country . He served in the Union army 773 00:38:45,100 --> 00:38:47,739 and eventually volunteered to serve as 774 00:38:47,750 --> 00:38:49,800 a member of the Andrews Raiders . 775 00:38:50,570 --> 00:38:53,489 Despite knowing the dangers , George 776 00:38:53,500 --> 00:38:56,979 and his fellow soldiers committed to 777 00:38:56,989 --> 00:38:59,129 what is known to be the first special 778 00:38:59,139 --> 00:39:02,330 operations mission of its time and the 779 00:39:02,340 --> 00:39:06,080 mission to take Chattanooga in what is 780 00:39:06,090 --> 00:39:09,419 now known as the Great Locomotive Chase 781 00:39:09,560 --> 00:39:11,939 George and his fellow soldiers 782 00:39:12,010 --> 00:39:14,739 exhibited extraordinary valor 783 00:39:15,239 --> 00:39:19,139 courage and an unwavering commitment 784 00:39:19,149 --> 00:39:22,540 to the mission . Unfortunately , the 785 00:39:22,550 --> 00:39:25,100 mission was abruptly ended as the 786 00:39:25,110 --> 00:39:27,860 general ran out of Tinder and Steam 787 00:39:28,550 --> 00:39:30,639 George and seven other members of 788 00:39:30,649 --> 00:39:33,000 Andrew Raiders would ultimately be 789 00:39:33,010 --> 00:39:36,489 captured , tortured , tried 790 00:39:36,790 --> 00:39:40,239 and convicted as spies . As a result . 791 00:39:40,250 --> 00:39:42,083 They would all make the ultimate 792 00:39:42,083 --> 00:39:44,028 sacrifice for the service of their 793 00:39:44,028 --> 00:39:46,530 country . History shares with us 794 00:39:46,540 --> 00:39:49,679 George's last words as he stood on the 795 00:39:49,689 --> 00:39:53,110 gallows on that fateful day , he states 796 00:39:53,550 --> 00:39:56,270 he did not regret dying for his country 797 00:39:57,959 --> 00:40:00,300 and that the time would come when the 798 00:40:00,310 --> 00:40:02,399 Union would be restored and the 799 00:40:02,409 --> 00:40:04,298 American flag would wave over the 800 00:40:04,298 --> 00:40:07,620 entire nation once again . Today , 801 00:40:07,629 --> 00:40:10,540 Independence Day is not only a time to 802 00:40:10,550 --> 00:40:13,179 celebrate our nation , but to also 803 00:40:13,189 --> 00:40:15,360 acknowledge that George's convictions 804 00:40:15,540 --> 00:40:18,100 on that fateful day , despite paying 805 00:40:18,110 --> 00:40:21,550 the ultimate sacrifice came true . We 806 00:40:21,629 --> 00:40:25,590 remain , we remain one nation under one 807 00:40:25,600 --> 00:40:28,939 flag with the ideals and the values of 808 00:40:28,949 --> 00:40:31,699 freedom for all that continues to be a 809 00:40:31,709 --> 00:40:34,120 significant part of this country's 810 00:40:34,129 --> 00:40:38,080 greatness . On behalf of my family , we 811 00:40:38,090 --> 00:40:40,620 extend our sincere gratitude for the 812 00:40:40,629 --> 00:40:42,330 recognition of my great great 813 00:40:42,340 --> 00:40:45,300 grandfather , George Davenport Wilson . 814 00:40:45,959 --> 00:40:48,126 We are grateful for the opportunity to 815 00:40:48,126 --> 00:40:50,699 honor and share his legacy for 816 00:40:50,709 --> 00:40:53,389 generations to come . Our family is 817 00:40:53,399 --> 00:40:56,370 deeply humbled to receive the medal of 818 00:40:56,379 --> 00:40:58,629 honor on his behalf and for the 819 00:40:58,639 --> 00:41:02,149 opportunity to recognize , celebrate 820 00:41:02,489 --> 00:41:05,570 and memorize George's incredible , an 821 00:41:05,580 --> 00:41:08,760 extraordinary valor in his service to 822 00:41:08,770 --> 00:41:12,389 this great country . Thank you so much 823 00:41:12,399 --> 00:41:13,955 for this incredible honor . 824 00:41:24,669 --> 00:41:26,899 Thank you , Miss Chandler . Ladies and 825 00:41:26,909 --> 00:41:28,965 gentlemen , please stand and join in 826 00:41:28,965 --> 00:41:30,909 the singing of the army song . The 827 00:41:30,909 --> 00:41:33,076 words of the army song can be found in 828 00:41:33,076 --> 00:41:36,239 your program . March 829 00:41:36,250 --> 00:41:40,100 along sing a song with 830 00:41:40,110 --> 00:41:43,600 the Army of the Free 831 00:41:43,649 --> 00:41:46,550 Counts . The brave count , the 832 00:41:46,560 --> 00:41:49,500 truth who have fought to 833 00:41:49,510 --> 00:41:53,479 victory with the army 834 00:41:53,489 --> 00:41:56,840 and proud of our name with the 835 00:41:56,850 --> 00:42:00,790 army and proudly proclaim first 836 00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:03,669 to fight for the right and to build the 837 00:42:03,679 --> 00:42:06,300 nation's might . And the army goes 838 00:42:06,310 --> 00:42:10,060 rolling along proud of all we 839 00:42:10,070 --> 00:42:12,919 have done fighting till the battles won 840 00:42:12,929 --> 00:42:16,679 and the army goes rolling along , 841 00:42:16,860 --> 00:42:20,570 then it's high , high . The army is on 842 00:42:20,580 --> 00:42:23,860 its way count of the cadence , loud and 843 00:42:23,870 --> 00:42:27,179 strong for it . We 844 00:42:27,189 --> 00:42:31,120 go . You will always know that the army 845 00:42:31,129 --> 00:42:33,610 goes rolling along . 846 00:42:37,169 --> 00:42:39,280 Ladies and gentlemen , this concludes 847 00:42:39,280 --> 00:42:41,502 the medal of honor induction ceremony . 848 00:42:41,502 --> 00:42:43,225 Please remain in place for the 849 00:42:43,225 --> 00:42:45,113 departure of the official party . 850 00:43:07,229 --> 00:43:07,500 It does .