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Each of the service members demonstrated courage and gallantry by putting their own lives on the lines to aid their comrades and the actions that led them to receive the honor, a White House press release said.

When the vehicle that Cashe was commanding became engulfed in flames during an attack, his uniform caught fire and he sustained severe burns while extinguishing the flames and rescuing his fellow soldiers, according to the White House. Even after suffering injuries, he repeatedly approached the vehicle and helped four soldiers escape while being targeted by live fire.

\"He went back into the inferno for a third time and got everyone out of that inferno,\" Biden said at Thursday's ceremony. \"That was his code; his love for his Third Infantry Division ran deep. No soldier was going to be left behind on his watch.\"

\"PHOTO:
Courtesy Katie Celiz via U.S. Army
PHOTO: Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz helping clear debris with fellow soldiers in the aftermath of a hurricane.
>

Celiz, who died of wounds he received in combat on July 12, 2018, in Afghanistan's Paktia Province, was attacked while leading an operation to disrupt attacks against the U.S. and allied forces and saved six live through his actions, the White House said.

His wife, Katie Celiz, told ABC News in an interview Wednesday that her husband was a \"family man\" who had an \"amazing relationship\" with their daughter.

\"Chris believed in putting his men and his mission first,\" she said. \"Chris believed that we should always do good, whether it was the easy thing to do or not.\"

During the operation he \"voluntarily exposed himself to intense enemy machine gun and small arms fire\" to help the U.S. and its allies reach safety and to administer aid to a wounded soldier, the White House said.

After he was hit himself, he signaled for the aircraft to depart without him.

\"His selfless actions saved the life of the evacuated partnered force member and almost certainly prevented further casualties among other members of his team and the aircrew,\" the White House said. At Thursday's ceremony, Biden said that Celiz was \"courage made flesh.\"

\"Today we add his name to the elite vanguard of American warriors, who generation after generation have strengthened and inspired our nation with their unwavering bravery and service,\" he added. \"His legacy lives on, in the lives he saved, the teammates he mentored and the memories he made with his beloved wife, Katie, and especially in their precious daughter, Shannon.\"

\"PHOTO:
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
PHOTO: President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Army Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee in the East Room of the White House, on Dec. 16, 2021, in Washington, D.C.
>

Plumlee, who spoke with ABC News on Wednesday, was also being honored for his heroic actions while serving in Afghanistan.

While responding to an explosion on the U.S. base, he fought off 10 Taliban suicide bombers dressed in Afghan National Army uniforms and came under fire several times, according to the White House. He placed himself in harm's way by leaving cover to protect his base and helped render first aid to a wounded soldier, carrying him to safety.

\"Without cover and with complete disregard for his own safety, he advanced on the superior enemy force engaging multiple insurgents with only his pistol,\" the White House said.

At Thursday's ceremony, Biden said he was \"grateful\" for Plumlee's continued service and dedication to the nation.

\"This recognition has been too long and coming delayed for you and your family as well,\" he added. \"And no one, no one will ever forget how you sprang into action when the enemy attacked our base.\"

ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

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