Commissioners honor Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth J. David; David recounts service in Vietnam

The Board of Trumbull County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Private First Class Kenneth J. David for receiving the Medal of Honor on Jan. 3, 2025.

The resolution, read by county staff, recounted David’s service on May 7, 1970, during the Vietnam War and noted that President Joe Biden upgraded David’s Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor. County officials praised David’s actions and thanked him for his service.

David addressed the commissioners and attendees, saying he did not seek recognition for his actions. "I did not do the things in Vietnam for a medal. I did it for the people I cared about," he said, recounting the chaos of the engagement in which he and his unit suffered casualties and he helped evacuate wounded comrades.

David described receiving a phone call from the White House in April informing him that he would receive the nation’s highest military honor and said the White House ceremony was a deeply meaningful moment. He also related visits to the Hall of Heroes and meetings with other Medal of Honor recipients.

Commissioners praised David and described the resolution as honoring extraordinary heroism. The county presented the resolution while family members, veterans and community leaders attended.

David’s remarks focused on duty, courage and honoring comrades who did not return; he credited the award to the actions of many soldiers and paid tribute to those killed in the engagement.