“Specialist Fujii played down his own contributions and honored the skills of the allied Vietnamese troops with whom he fought, saying simply, and I quote, ‘I like my job. I love helping other people out there who need help,” Mr. Biden said after telling his story. “It’s amazing.” John J. Duffy, an Army major, repeatedly risked his life in 1972 to direct airstrikes against the enemy during an attack on the 11th Airborne Battalion, Mr. Biden said. The president said Mr Duffy stayed behind, fighting the enemy, as the base was destroyed and was the last person to evacuate, saving one last soldier who was shot in the leg and fell from a helicopter as it took off. Mr Duffy jumped out and helped the soldier back into the helicopter. Mr. Biden said Mr. Duffy served three tours in Vietnam and later became a successful writer, once nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry. “He is the definition of a warrior poet,” the president said. Mr. Biden said Tuesday’s four awards were the result of a congressionally mandated review of the actions of Asian Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders during the Korean and Vietnam wars. “Honestly, it’s been a long journey to this day for these heroes and their families,” Mr. Biden said. “And it’s been more than 50 years – 50 years – since the jungles of Vietnam, where as young men these soldiers first proved their mettle.”
