06/16/2026
Semper Fidelis
Colonel John Walter Ripley will posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor.
A life defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to mission is being formally recognized for actions taken during the Vietnam War.
As a senior advisor to the 3rd Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion near D**g Ha, South Vietnam, then-Captain Ripley faced a rapidly advancing North Vietnamese offensive in April 1972. Recognizing that a key bridge over the Cua Viet River had to be destroyed to slow the attack, he repeatedly climbed beneath the bridge while under continuous enemy fire to emplace hundreds of pounds of explosives.
Hanging from the bridge's steel girders for hours, Ripley positioned and prepared the charges before successfully destroying the span. His actions helped blunt the enemy advance and provided critical time for South Vietnamese forces to regroup and defend the region.
Known to generations of Marines as “Ripley at the Bridge,” his actions became an enduring example of courage, initiative, and selfless service.
Through the National Medal of Honor Museum, his story will continue to be preserved and shared for generations to come.
