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Medal of Honor Ceremony; Murder Vengeance; Actress Makes Impact

Aired September 15, 2014 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And then one morning Don and his squad set out on patrol past that rice paddy, down that trail, when those shots rang out. When the lead soldier's foot tripped that wire and set off the booby trap, the grenade rolled right to Don's feet. And at that moment he could have run. In that moment he could have ducked for cover. But Don did something truly extraordinary. He reached down and he picked that grenade up and he turned to throw it but there were Americans in front of him and behind him inside the kill zone. So Don held onto that grenade and he pulled it close to his body and he bent over it and then, as one of the men said, all of a sudden there was a boom.

The blast threw the lead soldier up against a boulder. Men were riddled with shrapnel. Four were medevaced out, but everyone else survived. Don absorbed the brunt of the explosion with his body. He saved the lives of those next to him. And today we're joined by two men who were with him on that patrol, Sergeant William Hacker (ph) and Specialist Michael Mullheim (ph).

For decades, Don's family only knew that he was killed in action. They had heard that he had stepped on land mine. All those year this gold- star family honored the memory of their son and brother whose name is etched forever on that granite wall not from here. Late in her life, Don's mother, Evelyn (ph), finally learned the full story of her son's sacrifice and she made it her mission to have Don's actions properly recognized.

Sadly, nearly three years ago, Evelyn passed away, but she always believed -- she knew that this day would come. She even bought a special dress to wear to the ceremony. We are honored that Don and his mom are represented here today by Don's brother and their sisters and their families. On behalf of this American family, I'd ask Don's brother, Dr. Bill Sloat to come forward for the reading of the citation and accept the gratitude of our nation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The president of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat, United States Army.

Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as a machine gunner with Company D, Second Battalion, First Infantry Regiment, 196 Light Infantry Brigade, Americal (ph) Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on January 17, 1970.

On that morning Specialist Four Sloat's squad was conducting a patrol, serving as a blocking element in support of tanks and armored personnel carriers in the area. As the squad moved up a small hill in file formation, the lead soldier tripped a wire attached to a hand grenade booby trap set up by enemy forces. As the grenade rolled down the hill, Specialist Four Sloat knelt and picked up the grenade. After initially attempting to throw the grenade, Specialist Four Sloat realized that detonation was imminent. He then drew the grenade to his body and shielded his squad members from the blast, saving their lives.

Specialist Four Sloat's action define the ultimate sacrifice of laying down his own life in order to save the lives of his comrades. Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call in duty are in keeping with the highest tradition of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, Company D, Second Battalion, First Infantry Regiment, 196 Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division and the United States Army.

OBAMA: At this point I would like to ask Benny Adkins to come join me on stage.

Now, let me just say the first thing you need to know is, when Bennie and I met in the Oval Office, he asked if he could sign back up. His lovely wife was not amused.

Most days you can find Bennie at home down in Opelika, Alabama, tending his garden or his pontoon boat out on the lake. He's been married to Mary for 58 years. He's a proud father of five, grandfather of six. At 80, is still going strong. A couple of years ago he came here to the White House with his fellow veterans for a breakfast we had on Veterans Day. He tells folks he was the only person he knows who has spilled his dessert in the White House. And I just have to correct you, that makes two of us. I've messed up my tie. I've messed up my pants.

But in the spring of 1966, Bennie was just 32 years old, on his second tour in Vietnam. He and his fellow Green Berets were at an isolated camp along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. A huge North Vietnamese force attacked, bombarding Bennie and his comrades with mortars and white phosphorus. At the time it was nearly impossible to move without being wounded or killed. But Bennie ran into enemy fire again and again to retrieve supplies and ammo, to carry the wounded to safety, to man the mortar pit holding off wave after wave of enemy assaults. Three times explosions blasted him out of that mortar pit and three times he returned.

I have to be honest, in a battle and daring escape that lasted four days, Bennie performed so many acts of bravery, we actually don't have time to talk about all of them. Let me just mention three. On the first day, Bennie was helping load a wounded American on to a helicopter. A Vietnamese soldier jumped on to the Hilo trying to escape the battle and aimed his weapon directly at the wounded soldier, ready to shoot. Bennie stepped in, shielded his comrade, placing himself directly in the line of fire, helping to save his wounded comrade.

At another point in the battle, Bennie and a few other soldiers were trapped in the mortar pit covered in shrapnel and smoking debris. Their only exit was blocked by enemy machine gun fire. So Bennie thought fast. He dug a hole out of the pit and snuck out the other side. As another American escaped through that hole, he was shot in the leg. An enemy soldier charged him, hoping to capture a live P.O.W., and Bennie fired, taking out that enemy and pulling his fellow American to safety.

By the third day of battle, Bennie and a few others had managed to escape into the jungle. He had cuts and wounds all over his body but he refused to be evacuated. When a rescue helicopter arrived, Bennie insisted that others go instead. And so on the third night, Bennie, wounded and bleeding, found himself with his men up on that jungle hill exhausted and surrounded with the enemy closing in. And after all they had been through, as if it weren't enough, there was something more. You can't make this up. There in the jungle they heard the growls of a tiger. It turns out, that tiger might have been the best thing that happened to Bennie in those -- during those days because he says the North Vietnamese were more scared of that tiger than they were of us. So the enemy fled. Bennie and his squad made their escape and they were rescued finally the next morning.

In Bennie's life we see the enduring service of our men and women in uniform. He went on to serve a third tour in Vietnam, a total of more than two decades in uniform. After he retired, he earned his master's degree, actually not one but two, opened up an accounting firm, taught adult education classes, became national commander of the Legion of Valor, a veterans organization. So he has earned his retirement despite what he says. He's living outside Auburn. And, yes, he is a fan of the Auburn Tigers, although I did a poll of the family and there's some Crimson Tide fans here. So there's obviously some divisions.

But Bennie will tell you that he owes everything to the men he served with in Vietnam, especially the five who gave their lives in that battle. Every member of his unit was killed or wounded. Every single one was recognized for their service. Today we're joined by some of the men who served with Bennie, including Major John Bradford (ph), the soldier that Bennie shielded in that helicopter, and Major Wayne Murray (ph), the soldier Bennie saved from being captured. And I'd ask them and all of our Vietnam veterans who are here today to please stand or raise your hand to be recognized.

And now I'd ask that the citation be read.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The president of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Bennie G. Adkins, United States Army. Sergeant First Class Bennie G. Adkins distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an intelligent sergeant with Detachment (ph) A102, Fifth Special Forces Group, First Special Forces during combat operations against an armed enemy at Camp Eshu (ph), Republic of Vietnam, from March 9th to 12th, 1966.

When the camp was attacked by a large North Vietnamese and Vietcong force in the early morning hours, Sergeant First Class Adkins rushed through intense enemy fire and manned a mortar position, continually adjusting fire, for the camp, despite incurring wounds as the mortar pit received several direct hits from enemy mortars. Upon learning that several soldiers were wounded near the center of camp, he temporarily turned the mortar over to another soldier, ran through exploding mortar rounds and dragged several comrades to safety.

As the hostile fire subsided, Sergeant First Class Adkins exposed himself to sporadic sniper fire while carrying his wounded comrades to the camp dispensary. When Sergeant First Class Adkins and his group of defenders came under heavy small arms fire from members of the civilian irregular defense group that had defected to fight with the North Vietnamese, he maneuvered outside of the camp to evacuate a seriously wounded American and draw fire, all the while successfully covering the rescue.

When a resupply air drop landed outside of the camp perimeter, Sergeant First Class Adkins again moved outside of the camp walls to retrieve the much needed supplies. During the early morning hours of March 10th, 1966, enemy forces launched their main attack and within two hours Sergeant First Class Adkins was the only man firing a mortar weapon. When all mortar rounds were expended, Sergeant First Class Adkins began placing effective recoilless rifle fire upon enemy positions.

Despite receiving additional wounds from enemy rounds exploding on his position, Sergeant First Class Adkins fought off intense waves of attacks Vietcong. Sergeant First Class Adkins eliminated numerous insurgents with small arms fire after withdrawing to a communications bunker with several soldiers. Running extremely low on ammunition, he returned to the mortar pit, gathered vital ammunition and ran through intense fire back to the bunker.

After being ordered to evacuate the camp, Sergeant First Class Adkins and a small group of soldiers destroyed all signal equipment and classified documents, dug their way out of the rear of the bunker and fought their way out of the camp.

While carrying a wounded soldier to the extraction point, he learned that the last helicopter had already departed. Sergeant First Class Adkins led the group while evading the enemy until they were rescued by helicopter on March 12th, 1966. During the 38-hour battle and 48 hours of escape and evasion, fighting with mortars, machine guns, recoils rifles, small arms and hand grenades, it was estimated that Sergeant First Class Adkins had killed between 135 and 175 of the enemy while sustaining 18 different wounds to his body. Sergeant First Class Adkins' extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Detachment A102, Fifth Special Forces Group, First Special Forces and the United States Army.

OBAMA: Over the decades, our Vietnam veterans didn't always receive the thanks and respect they deserved. That's a fact. But as we have been reminded again today, our Vietnam vets were patriots and are patriots. You served with valor. You made us proud. And your service is with us for eternity. So no matter how long it takes, no matter how many years go by, we will continue to express our gratitude for your extraordinary service. May God watch over Don Sloat and all those who have sacrificed for our country, may God keep safe those who wear our country's uniform and veterans like Bennie Adkins, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

At this point, I'd ask our chaplain to return to the stage for the benediction.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let us continue to pray.

As we go forth, be not afraid. (INAUDIBLE) the world in peace, have courage, hold onto what is good. (INAUDIBLE) no evil for evil, strengthen the feign hearted, support the weak and help the suffering. We honor all people. Let us love and serve and may God's blessing be upon us, remain with us always. Amen.

OBAMA: And at this point I would welcome everybody to join the Sloat family and the Adkins family for a reception. I hear the food is pretty good. And, once again, to all of you who serve and your families who serve along with them, the nation is grateful and your commander in chief could not be prouder.

Thank you very much, everybody.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: It's absolutely incredible. I mean you and I have sat and watched a lot of these U.S. Medal Of Honor ceremonies there at the White House in recent years and they have been, you know, younger service men, many of whom who have been awarded these medals of honor posthumously. But just to see this man, to see this man from Alabama here getting this award 48 years later after serving so bravely in Vietnam, it's just absolutely stunning. So just as we always like to button all of these up just saying thank you, thank you to all of our service men and women who fight for this nation each and every day.

Just ahead, fears that the killings of four men could be part of a quote "bloody crusade." A college student accused of cold-blooded killings in America as revenge against the United States. Those details are ahead.

Plus, an actress from the movie "Django Unchained" say police slapped her in cuffs for public displays of affection with her boyfriend. But is that the whole story? We'll hear from her coming up. I'm Brooke Baldwin. You're watching CNN.

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BALDWIN: You are watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

We have to talk about the threat of terrorism on U.S. soil. Certainly top of mind for many Americans as you're watching the atrocities being committed in the Middle East. But some are saying domestic terrorism is already here. And a case out of New Jersey may provide precisely that one example.

According to court documents obtained by the "New Jersey Star Ledger," this New Jersey man accused of shooting and killing four men in two separate states called at least one of these killings part of a quote/unquote "bloody crusade." He is Ali Muhammad Brown. He allegedly said he considered it his mission to murder 19-year-old college student Brendan Tevlin as an act of vengeance for what he calls innocent lives lost in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

But that is not where this story stops. Let me bring in CNN justice correspondent Pamela Brown, has been working this one for us in Washington.

And so, Pamela, explain to me how this guy, he's been caught. He's confessed to the killings, yet he's pleadings not guilty. Is that correct?

PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I can just tell you this, Brooke. He's, at this point, charged with murder in two different states. We're talking Washington state, as well as in New Jersey. And this spanned over the course of two months. As you pointed out, authorities saying he was on a bloody crusade of killing four people, three in Washington state and one in New Jersey. And the common thread between these four -- among these four victims, according to authorities, is that they're all adult males and that, according to authorities, they don't see any known connection between this man, Ali Mohammad Brown, and his victims. They say all of his victims died by multiple gunshot wounds, that they were killed execution style.

And, as you point out, the interview that he had with police, very disturbing. According to these court documents I'm looking at right here, Brooke, he told police that he did in fact kill these four people and that he was exacting a vengeance against the U.S. He says that as part of his belief in his Muslim faith that he had become angry with the evil that the government was allowing to take place in the United States and was also angry with the role the United States was taking in the countries of Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan that had led to the death of innocent civilians and children there. So he's basically telling police that he was on a mission to kill Americans as a way to exact vengeance for U.S. foreign policy, Brooke.

BALDWIN: What more do we know about Brown prior to these killings? Does he have any previous criminal history? Anything.

BROWN: He is a registered sex offender and he was tied to a bank fraud case several years ago that happened in Washington state and this was a group of people who won of them at least had a connection to al Shabaab. But as far as other details about him, I was speaking with the Essex county prosecutor in New Jersey and they're really staying tight lipped right now. They can tell me that he is an American citizen. He's believed to have been born in the U.S. But any other details, they're really staying tight lipped at this point. But it's clear he has a previous criminal history.

And I want to point out, he hasn't been charged with terrorism at this point, Brooke.

BALDWIN: OK.

BROWN: You know, there's the state terrorism charge and the federal terrorism charge and at this point hasn't been charged with any of those. But that could happen. His case hasn't even been brought to a grand jury yet in New Jersey. So a lot could still happen in his case.

Brooke.

BALDWIN: Important clarification, Pamela Brown. Thank you so much for coming up on this for us in Washington today. Pamela Brown, we'll look for more of your reporting. I appreciate it very much.

Always a point of debate here. Should America pay ransom to free Americans held hostage? My next guest, imprisoned in Iran for two years, says yes. Hear her incredible story and her perspective, next.

But first, you may know her as a quirky detective Veronica Mars or maybe you know her as the voice of Anna in the movie "Frozen" but when she is away from Hollywood, actress Kristen Bell is making an impact on the world. Chris Cuomo has her story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTEN BELL, ACTRESS: It's so basic. Water is the only thing that everybody needs.

CHRIS CUOMO, ANCHOR CNN'S "NEW DAY": Actress Kristen Bell says she was alarmed to learn that hundreds of millions of people don't have access to clean water, so she found a unique way to try to change that.

BELL: For my 30th birthday, I handed it over to Charity Water.

The water crisis is vast, but we can solve it.

They have a spectacular program where you give up your birthday and you basically create a Charity Water page and you ask your friends, instead of a present, to donate building a well for people that are in need of access to clean water.

Together you and I raised $100,000.

CUOMO: Charity Water partners with groups already on the ground to build wells and rain collection systems. One hundred percent of the profits go towards these projects.

BELL: There are so many aftershocks of positivity, one of which is being they are really focused on gender equality so the committees that are put together to oversee the maintenance of the specific wells are often headed by women. It creates a whole different dynamic in the village.

Impacting someone you don't know is such a next level karma of paying it forward. My mom taught me that you have two hands for a reason. One is yours and one is to help. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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