Biden to award three Medals of Honor to soldiers for combat actions in Iraq, Afghanistan

The Biden administration is planning to award Medals of Honor in coming days to three U.S. soldiers who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to people familiar with the matter, a group that includes the first Black service member to be recognized with the nation's top combat distinction for either conflict.

The soldiers are Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, who suffered mortal injuries in Iraq while rescuing fellow soldiers from a burning vehicle in 2005; Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, a Special Forces soldier who fought off Taliban suicide bombers in Afghanistan in 2013; and Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, an Army Ranger who died in a 2018 firefight in Afghanistan. The recognition for each could come as soon as Dec. 16, four U.S. officials said.