V 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5293 
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Ret. Col. Robert 
J. Graham for acts of valor while as a member of the Air Force 
during the Vietnam War. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 
Mr. BRESNAHAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor 
to Ret. Col. Robert J. Graham for acts of valor while 
as a member of the Air Force during the Vietnam War. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) On May 1, 1966, during Operation Bir-
mingham in the Vietnam War, then-Captain Robert 
J. Graham launched his F–100 Super Sabre from 
an alert pad at Bien Hoa Air Base, despite being 
grounded due to driving monsoon conditions. Along-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:19 Sep 11, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5293.IH
H5293
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
side his flight leader, he provided close air support 
to an Army fire base which was under heavy attack 
by enemy forces. 
(2) During the first strike pass, Capt. Gra-
ham’s plane sustained severe damage from enemy 
anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) to the fuel boost pumps. 
Despite the loss, he skillfully kept his engine run-
ning by relying solely on gravity fuel flow, forcing 
him to fly barely above stall speed in hazardous 
weather. 
(3) As Capt. Graham attempted to return to 
base with his crippled plane, an urgent request came 
in for support at another army base, which was 
being attacked by over 4,000 North Vietnamese 
troops, with the enemy about to breach the con-
certina wire perimeter. 
(4) Despite his battle-damaged plane and his 
own survival highly unlikely, Captain Graham car-
ried on and executed strikes against enemy forces 
under the guns of friendly Army defenders, a feat 
never attempted in combat. 
(5) With complete disregard for his own safety, 
Capt. Graham made more than 15 passes, destroy-
ing all eight North Vietnamese AAA gun positions, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:19 Sep 11, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5293.IH
H5293
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
neutralizing over 1,500 enemy troops, and saving 
hundreds of American lives. 
(6) His actions turned the tide of the battle and 
remain a testament to the highest ideals of service 
and sacrifice. 
(7) For his actions in Operation Birmingham 
on May 1, 1966, Capt. Graham was awarded the 
Silver Star. 
(8) Ret. Col. Graham served four tours in Viet-
nam and flew more than 500 combat missions. He 
enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953 and 
after completing basic training and flight school, he 
continued to serve 26 years as a fighter pilot. 
(9) Ret. Col. Robert J. Graham deserves the 
Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions 
on May 1, 1966, going above and beyond the call of 
duty, where his undaunted courage in the face of 
danger saved the lives of hundreds of his fellow 
Americans. 
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR 
TO RET. COL. ROBERT J. GRAHAM FOR ACTS 
OF VALOR DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. 
(a) WAIVER
OF
TIME
LIMITATIONS.—Notwith-
standing the time limitations specified in section 8298 of 
title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:19 Sep 11, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5293.IH
H5293
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons 
who served in the Armed Forces, the President may award 
the Medal of Honor under section 8291 of such title to 
Robert J. Graham for the acts of valor described in sub-
section (b). 
(b) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of valor 
described in this subsection are the actions of Robert J. 
Graham, as a captain in the Air Force, on May 1, 1966. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:19 Sep 11, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5293.IH
H5293
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB