United States President Donald Trump has awarded the Medal of Honour to an army medic for saving dozens of soldiers’ lives during the Vietnam War.

Retired Army Captain Gary M. Rose, was given the military’s highest honour, nearly 50 years after his heroism.

Rose was honoured for his bravery during a secret mission, titled “Operation Tailwind,” that was classified for decades.

According to a statement by the White House, the then-sergeant Rose repeatedly ran into the line of enemy fire to provide critical medical aid to his comrades, using his own body on one occasion to shield a wounded American from harm.

Rose has been credited to treating at least 60 wounded personnel and saving many lives.

The delay in earning the nation’s highest award for valour was because the original mission was secret.