(Washington, D.C.) — “Vietnam Veterans of America applauds Congress for passing a resolution on March 3, 2026, to recommend the President posthumously award U.S. Marine Colonel John Ripley the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War,” said Tom Burke, VVA National President. The resolution now awaits President Trump’s signature.
Known as “the Marine who blew up the Dong Ha Bridge,” then-Captain Ripley was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in destroying the bridge during the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive. On April 2, 1972, North Vietnamese forces were launching a massive offensive involving 20,000 troops, supported by tanks and artillery, and were quickly approaching the Dong Ha bridge. Assigned as an advisor to the 3rd Vietnamese Marine Battalion (VMB) stationed in the village next to the bridge, Ripley quickly recognized its strategic importance.
“There were 300 men in the battalion with one U.S. Marine advisor, [my father],” said U.S. Marine Tom Ripley, Colonel Ripley’s son. “Across the river were tens of thousands of North Vietnamese soldiers and over a hundred tanks.” Under enemy fire the entire time, Ripley dangled for an estimated three hours under the bridge, working to attach 500 pounds of explosives to the span, ultimately obliterating it, and effectively halting the North Vietnamese advance. He credited his survival to the many VMBs who sacrificed their lives to provide him with cover fire; of the 300 who entered the battle, less than 60 survived. Colonel Ripley’s actions illustrated his mantra, “Mission first, Marines always,” his son said.
“Colonel Ripley is one of only a handful of men to receive the honor of earning the ‘Quad Body’ distinction for making it through the four most stringent military training programs in the world. His story has long been used as a ‘leadership lesson’ for young Marines. And although sadly he did not live to see his actions properly acknowledged, his son, who is also a Marine, never gave up the fight,” Burke said. “Over 50 years after his display of extraordinary heroism and leadership, he is finally being recognized. One of his surviving brothers-in-arms from the battle put it best: ‘It’s about damn time.’ ”
