UNITED STATES (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump on Monday (Oct 23) awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Army Captain Gary M. Rose for his service as a medic during the Vietnam War.

"Mike and his unit slashed through the dense jungle, dodged bullets dodged explosives, dodged everything that you can dodge because they threw it all at them - and continuously returned fire as they moved deeper and deeper and deeper into enemy territory," Mr Trump said.

"Throughout the engagement Mike rescued those in distress without any thought for his own safety."

The helicopter that came to rescue the unit crashed, Mr Trump added.

"Mike was thrown off the aircraft before it hit the ground. But he raced back to the aircraft and pulled one man after another out of the smokey and smoldering helicopter as it spewed jet fuel from its ruptured tanks," said Mr Trump.

They were later rescued by another helicopter.

Mr Trump said he refused treatment until all of his men had been cared for first.