Dear Secretary White:

I would like to commend you for the leadership you have demonstrated since assuming your post. America's military men and women have exceeded all expectations in the way they waged the war in Afghanistan and the nation is a safer place because of their efforts.

I am writing today regarding an effort to secure the Medal of Honor for a soldier of a past war, Angel Mendez, Marine Corps corporal of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, who was killed during Operation De Soto in Quang Ngai Province. A native of Mount Loretto in Staten Island, New York, Corporal Mendez was just 20 years old when he lost his life on March 16, 1967, while rescuing his wounded platoon commander from an enemy attack. I am asking you to review the case of Corporal Angel Mendez to see if he qualifies for an upgrade to Medal of Honor.

Corporal Mendez was leading a squad across an open rice paddy in an attempt to reach four fallen comrades, two of whom had already died. Epitomizing the courage and honor that serve as the bulwark of our armed forces, Corporal Mendez exposed himself to heavy machine-gun fire and knocked back the enemy with a grenade launcher. Trying to reach his seriously wounded platoon commander, Corporal Mendez raced through the fusillade despite the tremendous personal risk to himself. He then carried the platoon commander to safety, losing his own life as he shielded the commander with his own body. A greater example of courage and sacrifice would be extremely difficult to find.

For his exceptional courage, patriotism and leadership, Corporal Mendez was posthumously promoted to sergeant and awarded the Navy Cross which, as you know, is the second highest honor a Marine can receive. Jim Fitzgerald, the Marine Corps League's commandant, has initiated an effort to upgrade Corporal Mendez's medal to the most supreme of tributes, the Medal of Honor.

I understand that, according to the award's criteria, a candidate's action must be "so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his or her gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery" and that "there must be no margin of doubt or possibility of error in awarding this honor." It is my belief that Corporal Mendez's selfless, life-saving, and heroic actions make his candidacy for such a selective honor extraordinarily compelling.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to speaking with you to discuss this matter further.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator