U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on May 31 sponsored legislation that would eliminate the cap on additional retired pay for members of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force who performed extraordinary acts of heroism during the Vietnam era.
The congresswoman introduced the Bobby Moran Soldier’s Medal Retirement Act, H.R. 7924, specifically to ensure that recipients of the Soldier’s Medal receive the increased retirement compensation they earned with the honor, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ staff.
H.R. 7924 is named for Air Force Staff Sergeant Bobby Moran of Usk, Wash., who in March 1958 received the Soldier’s Medal for risking his life on August 25, 1957 to save eight people, including two infants, after their boat capsized in Pyramid Lake, Nev. Moran served his country for 30 years and retired from the Air Force in 1984.
“You cannot put a price tag on his heroic actions that saved the lives of eight strangers on that fateful day in 1957,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “It’s long past time we pay Bobby — and the heroes like him — the debt we owe for their service above and beyond the call of duty.”
Under current law, recipients of the Soldier’s Medal are entitled to a 10 percent increase in retirement pay for demonstrating extraordinary heroism outside of conflict with the enemy. Sgt. Moran was denied this pay increase because he had already reached the retirement pay cap set at 75 percent of base pay, the summary says.
“When I first heard Sergeant Bobby Moran’s story, I was blown away by the courage and selflessness he demonstrated to earn the Soldier’s Medal for extraordinary heroism,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said. “Bobby is truly one of eastern Washington’s finest, which is why I’m so disappointed it’s taken so long to give him the honor he deserves.”
If enacted, H.R. 7924 would eliminate the retirement pay cap for Vietnam-era veterans who receive the Soldier’s Medal.
The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.