Latest news with #EarlPlumlee
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor March: MSgt Earl Plumlee
Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee is a member of the United States Army and a recipient of the United States Armed Forces' prestigious Medal of Honor. Plumlee earned his award for courageous action during an armed conflict in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, in 2013. Born into a family of cattle ranchers, Sergeant Plumlee spent his childhood in rural Oklahoma. Early on, he took an interest in military service. While still in high school, Plumlee joined the Army National Guard, with a focus on artillery. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and joined a weapons platoon soon after. He deployed numerous times, serving from Japan to Bahrain and elsewhere. In 2009, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a weapons sergeant. Staff Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee distinguished himself by acts of gallantry above and beyond the call of duty on August 28th, 2013, while serving as a weapons sergeant, C Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) in support of Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Plumlee instantly responded to an enemy attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni—Ghazni Province, Afghanistan —that began with an explosion that tore a 60-foot breach in the base's perimeter wall. Ten insurgents wearing Afghan National Army uniforms and suicide vests poured through the breach. Sergeant Plumlee and five others mounted two vehicles and raced toward the explosion. When his vehicle was engaged by enemy fire, Sergeant Plumlee reacted instinctively, using his body to shield the driver prior to exiting the vehicle and engaging an enemy insurgent 15 meters to the vehicle's right with his pistol. Without cover and in complete disregard for his own safety, he advanced on the enemy, engaging multiple insurgents with only his pistol. Upon reaching cover, he killed two insurgents —one with a grenade and the other by detonating the insurgent's suicide vest using precision sniper fire. Again, disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Plumlee advanced alone against the enemy, engaging several insurgents at close range, including one whose suicide vest exploded a mere seven meters from his position. Under intense enemy fire, Sergeant Plumlee temporarily withdrew to cover, where he joined up with another soldier and, together, they mounted another counterattack. Under fierce enemy fire, Sergeant Plumlee again moved from cover and attacked the enemy forces, advancing within seven meters of a previously wounded insurgent who detonated his suicide vest, blowing Sergeant Plumlee back against a nearby wall. Sergeant Plumlee, ignoring his injuries, quickly regained his faculties and reengaged the enemy forces. Intense enemy fire once again forced the two soldiers to temporarily withdraw. Undeterred, Sergeant Plumlee joined a small group of American and Polish soldiers, who moved from cover to once again counterattack the infiltrators. As the force advanced, Sergeant Plumlee engaged an insurgent to his front left. He then swung around and engaged another insurgent who charged the group from the rear. The insurgent detonated his suicide vest, mortally wounding a U.S. soldier. Sergeant Plumlee, again, with complete disregard for his own safety, ran to the wounded soldier, carried him to safety, and rendered first aid. He then methodically cleared the area, remained in a security posture, and continued to scan for any remaining threats. Staff Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Special Forces Regiment, and the United States Army. Plumlee hopped out, shielding the driver with his own body. He pointed his pistol and fired at the enemy snipers, taking several down and slowing their advancement. Eventually, he killed one of the snipers and ran for cover. Soon after, an attacker detonated a suicide bomb, injuring Plumlee. Relentlessly, he charged forward, shooting down several of the snipers at close range. Noticing that one of his fellow servicemembers lay bleeding, Plumlee quickly ran back into enemy fire and carried his comrade to safety. Then, he organized a team of three coalition members, and they engaged the enemy until the conflict ended. Sergeant Plumlee prevented the insurgents from taking over FOB Ghazni and saved countless lives. On December 16, 2021, Preside Joe Biden presented him with a Medal of Honor during a special ceremony at the White House. Learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at or find them on Instagram |Facebook Participate in Medal of Honor Day on March 25 by sharing a recipient's story Support veteran hiring and transition programs in your workplace Teach younger generations about the values of courage, sacrifice, and service Medal of Honor Month isn't just about recognizing history. It's about keeping the mission alive for the future. Observe Medal of Honor March on We Are The Mighty here.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor Month: Earl Plumlee
On March 5, 2025, Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee will stand alongside fellow Medal of Honor recipients to ring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closing bell. The event marks the beginning of Medal of Honor Month, a time dedicated to honoring the extraordinary sacrifices made by service members and keeping their legacy alive. Ahead of the event, We Are The Mighty sat down with Plumlee to discuss his transition from the military, the importance of veteran success in corporate America, and why preserving the stories of Medal of Honor recipients matters now more than ever. Now working in business development for Saab, Plumlee understands firsthand the challenges veterans face when transitioning into the civilian workforce. One of his biggest lessons? Corporate America doesn't owe veterans anything – it has to be earned. 'Veterans bring a unique skill set, but they have to articulate their value,' Plumlee explained. 'The military teaches us how to lead, how to problem-solve under pressure, but in the corporate world, nobody hands you responsibility just because you wore a uniform. You have to prove yourself.' He also warns transitioning service members to manage their expectations—the pace of promotion in the private sector is far different from the military. 'You're not going to jump into a senior leadership role on day one. Be patient, be humble, and keep working,' he said. Plumlee believes that businesses must do their part, too. With the NYSE receiving the Circle of Honor Award for its commitment to veterans, he hopes more corporations will actively invest in hiring, mentoring, and retaining former service members. Plumlee was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 28, 2013, when he engaged a group of suicide bombers during an attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan. But to him, the Medal isn't about individual heroism; it's about the men who didn't come home. 'This Medal isn't mine. It's a unit award,' he said. 'It represents the guys we lost. The ones who didn't get to live out their lives. That's why it's our job, as recipients, to carry their stories forward.' That responsibility isn't just about remembrance. It's also about education. Plumlee and other recipients are working to preserve the Medal's history and the values it represents, especially as the number of living recipients dwindles. 'The World War II guys are gone. The Vietnam guys are getting older. Eventually, it's just going to be those of us from the Global War on Terror. If we don't preserve these stories now, they'll disappear,' he noted. For Plumlee, purpose didn't end with his military career—it just changed form. 'In the military, your purpose is clear. It's mission first. When you leave, you have to redefine that purpose,' he said. For him, that meant building a balanced life, one that honored the discipline of his service while prioritizing what matters most: his family. 'When I was on active duty, I missed a lot. Now, I'm home for the milestones. I'm at my kids' games, their events. That's my new mission.' Plumlee emphasized that finding structure and a sense of responsibility post-service is critical. 'I stayed in [service] longer than I probably needed to, just to show other veterans that you don't quit just because something is hard. You set the example.' Plumlee also discussed the future of the Medal of Honor itself. With fewer conflicts leading to fewer awards, Plumlee sees a shift in how the Medal is perceived. 'Most recipients receive it posthumously. The Medal of Honor represents a tragedy as much as it does valor. Honestly, I'd love to see a long break without any new awards, because that would mean we're not fighting new wars.' That's part of why the Congressional Medal of Honor Society focuses so much on education. Through programs like the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, recipients are working to ensure that future generations understand the values of courage, sacrifice, and service, even if they never wear a uniform. 'The Medal's legacy isn't just about those of us who wear it. It's about teaching every American, military or not, that service and sacrifice matter.' Learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at or find them on Instagram |Facebook Participate in Medal of Honor Day on March 25 by sharing a recipient's story Support veteran hiring and transition programs in your workplace Teach younger generations about the values of courage, sacrifice, and service Medal of Honor Month isn't just about recognizing history. It's about keeping the mission alive for the future. Observe Medal of Honor March on We Are The Mighty here.
