Congressional Medal of Honor Society to honor local Boy Scouts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society named Columbia Boy Scouts Joseph Diener and Dominic Viet with the Citizen Honors Awards.

Diener and Viet, both Boy Scouts from Troop 6 in Columbia, were selected following a national search for individuals and an organization whose service or act of heroism greatly distinguished themselves.

The teenagers are being honored with a Young Hero award due to saving a woman from drowning in a flash flood on June 25, 2021.  Officials say they entered the fast-moving water without hesitation and swam to the woman who was clinging to the top of a post.  Without regard for their own safety, they swam with the woman to safety. Diener and Viet’s selfless actions that day reflect great credit on them, their families, and the state of Missouri 

Diener and Viet’s actions demonstrate the type of selflessness that Society believes is deeply embedded in our county.

The duo will be formally presented with the award by Medal of Honor Recipients at a ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee, in September.