To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to retired Colonel Philip J. Conran for acts of valor in Laos as a member of the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 21, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
H.R. 4580 authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to retired Air Force Colonel Philip J. Conran for extraordinary heroism demonstrated during a helicopter rescue mission in Laos on October 6, 1969. While serving as a Major and Aircraft Commander, Conran landed his CH-3E helicopter under intense enemy fire to rescue a downed crew, then spent six hours defending the crash site and evacuating equipment despite suffering a severe leg wound—actions that enabled two helicopter crews and 44 friendly troops to survive overwhelming hostile forces. The bill waives normal time limitations on medal awards, allowing the honor to be bestowed decades after the events occurred, particularly because Conran's military operations in Laos were classified until years after the Vietnam War ended. Conran was previously awarded the Air Force Cross for these same acts of valor. The bill does not involve any funding or specific timeline for the medal presentation beyond authorizing the President to proceed with the award.
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