WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Army Major Nicholas Dockery was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 18, 2026, for his extraordinary acts of valor during a fierce battle in Afghanistan in 2012. During his acceptance remarks, Major Dockery made a powerful appeal to his fellow Americans, stating, > "Don’t wait for the next tragedy to come together." This call for unity underscored the significance of his recognition, which is the nation's highest military award for bravery.
The Medal of Honor recognizes then-Second Lieutenant Dockery's actions on October 2, 2012, in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, where he served as a rifle platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. His unit was ambushed by an estimated 150 Taliban fighters. Dockery repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire to rally his troops, reinforce positions, and defend wounded soldiers.
During the four-hour engagement, Dockery shielded a fellow soldier from a grenade blast with his own body and rescued an unconscious soldier from enemy fighters, providing life-saving aid while continuing to direct the battle. He also risked his life by climbing onto a rooftop under heavy fire to mark enemy positions with smoke for air support. His leadership ensured that despite every American soldier in his unit being wounded, all survived the intense ambush.
Dockery, an Indianapolis native and West Point graduate, retired from active service in May 2026 as a U.S. Special Forces officer. He previously earned two Silver Stars, which were upgraded to the Medal of Honor following unanimous congressional approval. In 2025, he founded the Nicholas Dockery Foundation, which supports art and equine therapy programs for individuals struggling with mental and emotional health challenges, drawing from his own experiences with post-traumatic stress.
