Obama Honors Medal Recipients At Arlington National Cemetery

President Obama announced late this morning that he would join Medal of Honor recipients at the Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns. His visit is in honor of National Medal of Honor Day.

"Today we pay our respect to those who distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty - the recipients of the Medal of Honor," the president said in a statement released after his afternoon appearance at the famed cemetery.

"Medal of Honor recipients are the foremost example of greatness in service and sacrifice," he added. "Their bravery and humble strength continues to reassure our nation of the strength of its character and ideals even in these difficult times."

Col. Robert Howard, who is believed to be the most decorated American soldier in history, stood next to President Obama this afternoon and spoke to CBS News' David Martin.

Howard told Martin about his experience in Vietnam, which won him a pretty spectacular phone call.

"I said who's calling? He said it's General Westmoreland. This is on a 314, that's a field telephone. So I get back to the bunker and I get on the telephone and it's General Westmoreland and he's the chief of the staff of the army in Washington," Howard explained in the interview.

"He says I want to be the first to tell you you've been, you're going to receive the Medal of Honor. I said sir I think we're going to have a little problem receiving. You know we're under attack. He said I know you guys can handle it."

To Watch The President At The Medal Of Honor Ceremony Click Below:

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