Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Touches Down in Danvers

Photo Credits: St. John’s Prep

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Retired Army Major General Patrick Brady visited St. John’s Prep on Wednesday morning.

The American hero arrived in style, and Danvers Police shared St. John’s Facebook post.

A Massachusetts National Guard Blackhawk helicopter flew over the campus and landed at Cronin Memorial Stadium, where he was greeted by military, state and local police officers, firefighters, and veterans.

“It is a privilege and an honor to welcome you to St. John’s,” Headmaster Hardiman said to General Brady, according to St. John’s Prep’s post, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service as an ambulance helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for bravery. It is awarded by the President in the name of Congress. For this reason, it is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since it was first presented in 1863, the medal has been awarded 3,512 times. It is the highest award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America and can be earned-by deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty-only while a person is a member of the American Armed Forces in actual combat with the enemy of the Nation.

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Maj. Brady distinguished himself with his service in Vietnam.

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Maj. Brady distinguished himself while serving in the Republic of Vietnam commanding a UH-1H ambulance helicopter, volunteered to rescue wounded men from a site in enemy held territory which was reported to be heavily defended and to be blanketed by fog.”

Many of the nation’s Medal of Honor Recipients are in Boston this week for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s annual convention and Patriot Award Gala in the city. Approximately 42 of the 78 living Medal of Honor Recipients are participating in a number of events throughout the week. Several medal recipients boarded military helicopters on Wednesday moring in Boston, and fanned out to area schools for visits.

Maj. Brady spoke to students and visitors at an assembly. St. John’s Prep, is a Catholic, Xaverian Brothers sponsored school for young men in grades 6 through 12.

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients Touch Down in Malden

Following the school visits, helicopters were scheduled to return to Boston, land on Boston Common adjacent to Charles Street.