Birmingham VA Honors Medal of Honor Recipients in Huntsville Ceremony
By Birmingham VA Health Care System, Public Affairs Office
On April 29, 2026, the Birmingham VA Health Care System held a ceremony at the Huntsville VA Clinic to honor Colonel James Michael Sprayberry and Captain Gary Mike Rose, two of Alabama’s most distinguished Veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Both Veterans were honored for their bravery during the Vietnam War. Sprayberry led a nighttime mission to rescue wounded Soldiers. Rose, a Special Forces medic, risked his life many times over four days of heavy fighting to save others.
At the ceremony, both men spoke more about their experiences with VA care and focused less on their own heroism.
They spoke with humility and thanked the VA for their care, stressing how important good health care is for all Veterans. Their words reminded everyone that even highly decorated heroes depend on the same VA system as millions of others.
"I am here standing before you today not because I may have saved some lives under fire, but because the VA has saved my life," said Sprayberry.
When asked if there was a message he would want to share today, he added, "As you do your jobs, I hope that at the end of each day you tell yourself you have helped someone."
"The VA does the best, with the resources available, to do what is right while bringing hope to those who have sustained unimaginable losses," stated Rose. "In 2016, we lost our son-in-law, a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps, and the VA stepped in to care for my daughter and grandchildren. VA employees are the glue that keep us, and this nation, going. God bless everyone working for the VA, those that have served and are currently serving, and those at home hoping and waiting for a safe return."
Organizers presented each hero with crystal engraved plaques and revealed official portraits of both men, which will stay on display at the Huntsville VA Clinic. These portraits honor their courage and are meant to inspire Veterans, staff, and visitors for years to come.
Local media outlets like Fox 54, WAAY-TV, WHNT-TV, WAFF-TV, and the Redstone Rocket covered the event, helping share this story of service, sacrifice, and humility throughout North Alabama.
The ceremony reinforced the Birmingham VA Health Care System’s commitment to honoring Veterans by making sure every Veteran has access to quality, compassionate care.