THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

                      REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
                     AT MEDAL OF HONOR CEREMONY

1:29 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Hillary and I are delighted to welcome all of you here today, including our Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Togo West; the National Security Adviser, Sandy Berger; Senator Robb; and Congressman Evans; Deputy Secretary of Defense Hamre; Secretary Dalton; General Shelton and other members of the Joint Chiefs; General McCaffrey; Deputy Secretary Gober; Mr. Bucha, the President of the Medal of Honor Society; and General Foley and other recipients of the Medal of Honor who are here; and all the commanders of our veterans and service organizations, and proud members of the United States Marine Corps and former Marines, to the friends and the large and wonderful family of General Day and Mrs. Day, we welcome you.

I thank Captain Pucciarelli for the fine invocation. He is not devoid of a sense of humor, before we came out here he said he was going out to offer the exorcism. (Laughter.)

To those who lived through World War II and those who grew up in the years that followed, few memories inspire more awe and horror than the battle for Okinawa. In the greatest conflict the world has ever known, our forces fought no engagement more bitter or more bloody. In 82 days of fighting America suffered more than 12,000 dead in this final epic battle, the most costly one during the entire Pacific War.

At the very heart of this crucible was the fight for a hill called Sugar Loaf, the key to breaking the enemy's line across the south of the island -- some of the grimmest combat our forces had ever seen. The Marines on Sugar Loaf faced a hail of artillery, mortars and grenades. They were raked by constant machine gun fire. Time and again our men would claw their way uphill only to be repulsed by the enemy. Progress was measured by the yard.

On May 14th, 1945, a 19-year-old corporal named Jim Day led several other Marines to a shell crater on the slope of Sugar Loaf. What happened then surpasses our powers of imagination. On the first day in that isolated hole, Corporal Day and those with him fought off an advance by scores of enemy soldiers. That night he helped to repel three more assaults as those with him fell dead or injured. Braving heavy fire, he escorted four wounded comrades, one by one, to safety. But he would not stay in safety. Instead, he returned to his position to continue the fight. As one of his fellow Marines later reported, the Corporal was everywhere. He would run from one spot to another trying to get more fire on the enemy.

When the next day broke, Corporal Day kept on fighting alone, but for one wounded fellow Marine. Through assault after assault and into his second night, he fought on. Burned by white phosphorous and wounded by shrapnel, he continued to fire his weapon and hold his ground. He hauled ammunition from a disabled vehicle back to his shell hole and fought and fought, one assault after another, one day to the next.

The battle on Sugar Loaf decimated two Marine regiments. But when Corporal Jim Day was finally relieved after three days of continuous fighting, virtually alone, he had stood his ground. And the enemy dead around his foxhole numbered more than 100.

His heroism played a crucial part in America's victory at Sugar Loaf. And that success opened the way to the capture of Okinawa and the ultimate triumph of the forces of freedom in the Pacific.

Now, for this extraordinary valor, we recognize James L. Day as one of the bravest of the brave. In words that echo from the peaks of American military history, he has distinguished himself, at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. As Commander-in-Chief, I am proud to award General Day our nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. This medal confirms what every Marine in this room already knows: the name Jim Day belongs in the rolls of the Corps' greatest heroes, alongside Dan Daly, Smedley Butler, Joe Foss and John Basilone.

General, your achievements leave us all in awe. In particular, it is hard to know whether we should be conferring on you a Medal of Honor for bravery or for modesty.

Let me tell you the story of how we happen to be here today, over 50 years later. Although the battle for Okinawa was still raging when his battlefield commanders nominated young Corporal Day for this decoration. So many died in the fighting and so many reports were lost in the battle, the paperwork simply never went forward in 1945. General Day later said that awards weren't on their minds in those days. As he put it, we just had a job to do, and we wanted to get the job done. Years later when veterans of Sugar Loaf wanted to restart the process, Jim Day forbade them from doing so. Then a General, he felt that seeking such an honor would set a bad example for those he commanded.

General Day, every one in our nation -- in the military and outside it -- can learn a lot from your selfless conduct both under fire and throughout your life. In your modest service, as well as your heroism, you are a shining example to all Americans. (Applause.)

Today as we applaud one extraordinary performance on Sugar Loaf, we also celebrate one of the most remarkable military careers in our nation's history. Just days after the action we recall now, Jim Day distinguished himself again on Okinawa and received the Bronze Star for his heroism. During a career that spanned more than four decades, he rose from enlisted man through the ranks to Major General, becoming one of the greatest Mustangs the Marine Corps ever produced. In Korea, his valor in combat was recognized with two Silver Stars. In Vietnam, his leadership and bravery under fire earned him a third Silver Star. Just as astonishing, for his service in three wars, Jim Day received six Purple Hearts.

General, I'm told that your ability to absorb enemy fire led to a lively debate among those who served with you as to whether it was safer to stand near you or far away. (Laughter.)

Amid all this heroism, General Day and his wife have also raised a fine family. He has given not only a lifetime of devotion to the Corps, he and Sally have brought up two more generations of Marines. His son, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Day, and grandson, Lance Corporal Joshua Eustice, both of whom are here today and we welcome you. (Applause.)

General, we thank you for a lifetime lived to the highest standards of patriotism, dedication and bravery. For all Marines and, indeed, for all your fellow Americans, you are the embodiment of the motto, Semper Fidelis. You have been unerringly faithful to those who fought along side you, to the Corps and to the United States. We are profoundly fortunate to count you among our heros. On behalf of all Americans, I thank you for a lifetime of service without parallel and for all you have done to preserve the freedom that is our most sacred gift. Thank you, sir. (Applause.)

Lieutenant Commander Huey, read the citation.

(The citation is read). (Applause.)

END 1:43 P.M. EST