On behalf of the President of the United States, the Pentagon, and the Secretary of the Army, Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. was decorated with the Soldier’s Medal on March 12, 2026 during the Founders Day celebration at West Point! This award marks a moment of historic rarity, as it is the Army’s highest honor for extraordinary heroism in a non-combat situation.
We know that LJ’s courage the night of the rescue was not by chance. As the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9, he has been “set apart” as a “special possession” to show the world what true service looks like. To see him honored tonight as a one-of-a-kind leader among thousands of his peers is a testament to the path God has placed him on.
The evening was truly historic. The 4,400 members of the Corps of Cadets and the Academy’s senior leadership gathered to celebrate the founding of the Long Gray Line. During this tradition, Larry was personally pinned by 3-star Lieutenant General Steven Gilland, the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy. The Academy leadership noted that Larry’s heroic actions on the night of the rescue serve as a living example of exactly what West Point teaches—courage, selfless service, and the instinct to lead in a crisis.
The rarity of this moment was underscored by COL Chad R. Foster, the Deputy Commandant for Operations. He shared that out of the thousands of cadets and highly decorated officers in the room, not a single other person holds the Soldier’s Medal. It is so rare that the future officers in attendance, as well as the seasoned veterans present, will likely never see this award presented again in their entire careers.
Seeing the Superintendent present this medal to LJ in front of his peers was a moment we will never forget. Larry’s actions embody the heart of Duty, Honor, Country, and tonight he stood as an inspiration for the entire Army.