![\"Portrait](\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Bob_Kerrey.jpg\/500px-Bob_Kerrey.jpg\")
\nLTJG, U.S. Navy \u2014 Vietnam War<\/strong><\/p>\n Joseph Robert “Bob” Kerrey was born on August 27, 1943, in Lincoln, Nebraska. After studying pharmacy at the University of Nebraska, he joined the Navy through Officer Candidate School and volunteered for the SEALs, serving as assistant platoon commander in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team One.<\/p>\n On March 14, 1969, on Hon Tre island near Nha Trang Bay, Kerrey led his team on a night mission to capture enemy political cadre. The SEALs scaled a 350-foot sheer cliff to get above the enemy camp; during the descent, a grenade exploded at Kerrey’s feet, shredding his lower right leg, which was later amputated. Despite massive bleeding, he directed his men’s fire into the camp, coordinated supporting fire from a second element, and then ordered the team to secure a defensible extraction site \u2014 continuing to direct them from a near-unconscious state until evacuated. The mission killed or captured Viet Cong fighters and yielded critical intelligence. President Richard Nixon presented his Medal of Honor at the White House on May 14, 1970.<\/p>\n Medically discharged in 1969, Kerrey built a business career before entering public service: Governor of Nebraska (1983\u20131987), U.S. Senator from Nebraska (1989\u20132001), where he served as vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992. He later served as president of The New School in New York (2001\u20132010) and as a member of the 9\/11 Commission. His service record includes acknowledged controversy over a February 1969 raid in which civilians were killed \u2014 an episode he has discussed publicly with lasting anguish.<\/p>\n Sources: Wikipedia<\/a> \u00b7 Congressional Medal of Honor Society<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n