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Viral image
stated on July 6, 2022 in a Facebook post:

Video shows Joe Biden putting a Medal of Honor on a Vietnam War veteran backward.

Pants on Fire!

No, Biden didn’t put the Medal of Honor around a Vietnam War veteran’s neck backward

If your time is short

  • A grainy video of Joe Biden placing a medal on a Vietnam War veteran is leading some people to claim that he put it on backward. He didn’t, and clear footage from news outlets proves it. 
 
See the sources for this fact-check

On July 5, Spc. Dwight Birdwell received a Medal of Honor at the White House for his actions in Vietnam in January 1968. President Joe Biden placed the medal around his neck. And some social media users are sharing a grainy video of this moment as evidence of cognitive decline. 

“Biden puts medal on backwards,” one Facebook post says. “Just imagine if Trump had done this.” 

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

In the clip that’s being shared, the gold star medal that hangs from the blue ribbon that Biden affixed around Birdwell’s neck isn’t visible. But in other footage, and photos, it is. 

RELATED VIDEO
 

You can see someone handing the medal to Biden and then Biden appropriately placing it around Birdwell’s neck in this clip that was shared live on YouTube by PBS NewsHour. The medal is also visible in this Getty Images photo as Biden secures the medal on Birdwell. 

We rate claims that he put the medal on Birdwell backwards Pants on Fire!

 
Our Sources

Facebook post, July 6, 2022

Facebook post, July 6, 2022

Getty Images, President Biden Awards Medal Of Honor To Four Vietnam Veterans, July 5, 2022

Tweet, July 6, 2022

Tweet, July 6, 2022

Tweet, July 6, 2022

Tweet, July 6, 2022

Tweet, July 6, 2022

PBS NewsHour, WATCH LIVE: President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to 4 Vietnam War veterans, July 5, 2022

The White House, President Biden to Award Medal of Honor, June 27, 2022

 

No, Biden didn’t put the Medal of Honor around a Vietnam War veteran’s neck backward

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on January 7, 2026 a press briefing

stated on January 14, 2026 a statement

Social Media
stated on February 14, 2026 social media posts



stated on January 20, 2026 an op-ed


Donald Trump
stated on February 3, 2026 remarks in the Oval Office


Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 social media posts





Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on stated on November 17, 2025 in remarks at George Washington University:

Donald Trump
stated on February 2, 2026 an interview with Dan Bongino