He was awarded the Medal of Honour for showing "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" by staying behind and fighting North Korean soldiers who were closing in on his squad.

In a statement announcing the honor, the White House said Mr. Davis “distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.”

Recipients now must distinguish themselves “by gallantry and intrepidity” at the risk of life beyond the call of duty.

What Morant is now doing is in your face, with plenty of moxie and several more doses of intrepidity.

The ceilings of some of the rooms in Montclair bore charred, black circles, in mute testimony to his intrepidity as an exploder.