In a recent interview with CNN, retired Marine Gen. and former Chief of Staff John Kelly vociferously dismissed former President Donald Trump's assertion that the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, is "much better" than the Medal of Honor, an accolade bestowed upon members of the military for acts of extraordinary bravery. Kelly stated unequivocally that there is "no equivalency of any kind" between the two honors.

Kelly explained to CNN that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals for their good works or, in some cases, for other considerations. However, he emphasized that the medal pales in comparison to the Medal of Honor, which is earned through incredibly courageous actions on the battlefield, often by young soldiers who volunteered to defend their country when others did not.

To underscore his point, Kelly urged people to think of historic battles such as Normandy, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, and Fallujah, where service members displayed remarkable bravery. He highlighted that the oath taken by service members is akin to the oath the President, members of Congress, federal judges, and political appointees take, including the solemn commitment to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies.

Kelly reaffirmed that service members take their oath as a sacred duty, fully aware of the risks of serious injury, capture, and even death. He noted that no President, member of Congress, judge, political appointee, or recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom will ever be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the Constitution. Consequently, Kelly emphasized that these two awards are incomparable and cannot be equated in any way.

Trump's comments that sparked this debate came during a discussion about awarding GOP donor Miriam Adelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Trump stated that the Medal of Freedom is "actually, much better" than the Medal of Honor because recipients of the latter are either severely wounded or deceased. When pressed to clarify his remarks, Trump reiterated that he considers the Medal of Honor the ultimate honor but argued that it is a painful distinction, often awarded posthumously to individuals who have suffered grave injuries.

Kelly, who previously confirmed reports about Trump's disparaging remarks towards service members, including describing them as "suckers" and "losers," reiterated his stance in the CNN interview. Despite Trump's denial of making such comments, multiple sources, including Kelly, have attested to their veracity.

The stark difference in perspective between Kelly and Trump further highlights the disconnect between the former President's view of military service and the reverence and admiration that Kelly and others hold for those who have served and sacrificed in defense of the nation. As debates surrounding military honors continue, Kelly's unwavering defense of the Medal of Honor serves as a powerful reminder of the selflessness and bravery displayed by those who wear the uniform.