The most important Marine Corps leadership principle is set the example. Any leader of any organization must demonstrate and enforce the values of the organization. I pray constantly to have the strength to set the example for my Marines and sailors because they deserve a leader who upholds the standards they maintain. We are blessed to have countless examples of Marine Corps leaders who demonstrated our values across our history. There are many airmen, sailors, and soldiers who did the same. One Marine often left off the common lists of Marine Corps legends who may be the best example of all is Col John Ripley.

John Ripley is one of the greatest of the many storied heroes in the history of the Marine Corps. His name and his actions should stand among those of Dan Daly, John Basilone, and Baldomero Lopez. His legacy remains unfairly judged and reduced for unnecessary political reasons. We must cement Col Ripley’s legacy in the hall of our grandest heroes by finally awarding him the Medal of Honor. Col John Ripley deserves this award not only for his heroic actions in Vietnam but for his example of leadership to all future Marines and citizens.

The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the naval service, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.¹

Few men in the history of the world have distinguished themselves by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty like John Ripley.

Col Ripley’s most famous act of heroism took place in Dong Ha, Vietnam, where he single-handedly delayed the North Vietnamese Army from advancing to Saigon.² Then-Capt Ripley demonstrated extraordinary fitness and courage while climbing across a bridge to destroy the structure. This act meets all qualifications of the Medal of Honor and epitomizes the setting the example leadership principle. Ripley continuously exposed himself to enemy fire, established an effective demolition system to successfully destroy the bridge, and coordinated indirect fire to further limit the communist advance.³ He further demonstrated his commitment to his mission and to the South Vietnamese people while safely escorting a mother and daughter out of the impact area.⁴ Ripley’s heroism saved countless lives that day and provided valuable time for the South Vietnamese people to find safety before the eventual North Vietnamese success in the war. His actions personified the selfless, courageous, and lethal traits forever ingrained in the Marine Corps and deserve the highest honor in return.

The excuses for Col Ripley’s award vary. The author of An American Knight, Norman Fulkerson, suggests the Medal of Honor was evaded by Ripley due to a late report of the heroic event.⁵ I do not read any aspect of the U.S. Code to include a statute of limitations on awarding the Medal of Honor. SFC Alwyn Cashe received the Medal of Honor sixteen years after originally earning a Silver Star for his heroics while saving soldiers from a burning Bradley.⁶ Cashe’s award provides precedent to look back at Ripley’s Navy Cross for an upgrade. President Biden recently awarded seven Medals of Honor for service member actions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, further advancing the precedent established with SFC Cashe.⁷ I also hear in conversation how Ripley’s efforts at the Dong Ha Bridge did not represent the political aspirations of the administration trying to withdraw from Vietnam. The political goals of politicians do not change the impact Ripley had during the battle, and those goals do not lessen the incredible acts performed that day. The reason for Col Ripley’s lack of recognition may be political now but likely not following the event. I was not alive when John Ripley saved thousands of innocent lives while leading the destruction of communist forces, so why he was not awarded the Medal of Honor 30 years ago is impossible for me to answer. I can, however, assess the current political climate and determine the reasons John Ripley does not have a Medal of Honor still today.

Col Ripley testified to Congress in 1992 on the potential integration of women into combat roles within the U.S. military, and subsequently provided insight on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 1993. His positions are controversial but rooted in his undeniable experience and were unquestionably intended to protect the high standards and effectiveness of his beloved Marine Corps. Col Ripley’s positions on female and homosexual integration are the reasons his legacy remains restricted in public view and the reasons he does not have the Medal of Honor. I do not argue for or against his positions, although I will always maintain that any American of any background who can shoot, move, communicate, and lead with moral intentions in defense of our people and our Constitution is welcome on any team of mine. Those positions, like the political aspirations of an administration in the 1970s, do not change the heroics John Ripley displayed in Vietnam. It is time to move beyond any agenda and award Col John Ripley the Medal of Honor.

The best parts of John Ripley’s story and life will continue to have positive impacts on Marine and naval leaders regardless of his Medal of Honor status. His actions at Dong Ha are immortalized in Memorial Hall at the United States Naval Academy. The display of then-Capt Ripley scaling the bridge and the grand painting of Col Ripley adjacent to the statue remains one of my favorite locations to visit. The monuments and memorials of heroes like Ripley, John Paul Jones, and Chester Nimitz serve as the best beacons of leadership in the Naval Service. His efforts in combat are only some aspects of Ripley’s leadership that we must continue to admire for generations.

John Ripley’s reputation as a Christian, a husband, and a father is also Medal of Honor worthy.

One of the most difficult things to do as a Marine is to balance the role of service member with the important duties as a husband and father. The same challenge applies to women as a wife and mother, often more challenging when it comes to nurturing children. It is even more impressive to maintain the high standards of those positions while also upholding the values of your religion. The Marines I look up to most embody the same balance John Ripley led his life with. Col Ripley maintained undivided commitments to Christ, his family, and his country, all while performing some of the most incredible acts of combat and sacrifice in history. His performance in these arenas of life serves as a guide of what is possible, what is righteous, and what the true character standard is for leaders of our Nation’s sons and daughters.

John Ripley’s success in each of these arenas also serves as a reminder of how to best lead our Marines and sailors. Our Marines and sailors will struggle to balance these roles, just as I do, and I am sure just as Col Ripley did, even if his teams never noticed. The challenge for leaders is to support that balance while maintaining the standards and ensuring mission accomplishment. Another challenge is to push back against the glorification of risky behaviors like drinking and loose sex. These are difficult conversations to have with our Marines and sailors, especially those without families, but conversations we must continue to have as leaders. Our Marine Corps must culturally reject the ideas that Marines must drink heavily, have sex with lots of women, cover our bodies in tattoos, and ride around in the fastest cars and on the toughest motorcycles. Those behaviors and actions do not make you a bad Marine at all, but they also should not be viewed as the traits required to be a good Marine either. Our Service should instead highlight and reinforce being great husbands and wives, great fathers and mothers, great brothers and sisters, both at home and within our formations, and the best stewards of support to our communities. We should go to the ends of the earth to highlight our Marines and sailors who sacrifice time and effort for each other and for their families. Col Ripley’s example of leadership is the perfect balance of fierce warfighting proficiency and relentless family and community support. His example is what we should all strive for and is another reason his record deserves the accompaniment of the Medal of Honor.

If you are a young or new leader, maybe a team leader or platoon commander, Col John Ripley’s life can provide the best recommendations to lead: Set the example, establish a standard for your unit, then hold yourself and your Marines accountable to that standard. Setting the example is critical because, without that example, it is impossible to expect the same from your team. The do as I say not as I do leaders are the most toxic and most dangerous among our teams. Be the guiding beacon you want your team to follow. Setting the example directly feeds into establishing the standard for your unit. Buy-in to the standard greatly increases when the leader lives it and when the team decides on the standard together. The standard should be conditions-based and agreed upon by the team, which leads to trust and accountability throughout. The example from the leader and the agreed standards of the team forces the team to stay on the same page and maintain accountability. When one member falters, which will happen often, the other team members will lift them up and get everyone back on track. Col John Ripley spent his life maintaining a tremendous standard and lifting all those around him up. His example and his standards reinforce the best leadership traits of the Marine Corps, and his actions are worthy of recognition, with or without the Medal of Honor. We can never forget Col Ripley’s example and must continue to honor his legacy forever.