WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman French Hill (R-AR), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) announced that the World War I Valor Medals Review Act had been included in the House and Senate-negotiated Conference Report for the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to undertake a review of valor medals awarded to minority veterans during WWI to determine whether any should receive the Medal of Honor. The language encourages DOD to conduct this review in consultation with the Valor Medals Review Task Force, a joint project of the Congressionally-established World War I Centennial Commission and Park University’s George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, which has conducted extensive research to identify WWI veteran service records for this review.
“In October 2018, while working with Dr. Brian Mitchell from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, my office presented the family of Sergeant Leroy Johnston medals he earned but did not receive for his service in World War I because, like many soldiers of that era, Sergeant Johnston was a victim of discrimination,” said Congressman Hill. “The World War I Valor Medals Review Act provides an opportunity to correct this injustice for countless American heroes and their families. This bill ensures that minorities who served in World War I are honored with the recognition they deserve on behalf of a grateful nation.”
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| An African-American World War I veteran and Pine Bluff native, Leroy Johnston (right) is shown with two of his brothers, Drs. D.A.E. (left) and L.H. (center) Johnston. Rep. Hill and his staff members were instrumental in ensuring that Johnston’s finally received his long overdue medals. |
“Hundreds of thousands of minority Veterans served their country during World War I, and their efforts were essential to our victory. But for far too long, their sacrifice has not received the recognition it deserves,” said Senator Van Hollen. “William Butler, an African American Veteran from Salisbury, was recognized with the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Distinguished Service Cross, and a recommendation for the Medal of Honor – but he never received that medal before his death. This legislation is designed to ensure that cases like William Butler’s will get a fair review. I was proud to fight for the inclusion of these crucial provisions in the NDAA so that William Butler and countless others have the opportunity to be honored.”
“Minority WWI veterans who demonstrated the highest acts of bravery deserve to be recognized with the Medal of Honor,” said Senator Blunt. “While we can’t undo the discrimination these heroes faced in their lifetimes, we can do the right thing now by making sure they receive the honor they’re due. I appreciate the important efforts by the Valor Medals Review Task Force, with the support of Park University, to ensure veterans who were wrongly denied our nation’s highest military honor will finally be acknowledged for their heroic actions.”
“Today, we take an important step in righting the wrongs of the past,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While the nation may have failed to appreciate the bravery and sacrifices made by these servicemembers in their time, the passage of this legislation ensures that they will receive the honors that are long overdue. I want to thank Rep. Hill for his bipartisan support and his help in fighting to get these veterans the recognition they deserve. It may be too late for those who fought to protect our freedom, but it will mean the world to their families.”
Background:
The full text of the World War I Valor Medals Review Act can be found HERE. The bill was included in Section 548 of the House and Senate-negotiated Conference Report for the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are original cosponsors of the Senate bill, and Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) are original cosponsors of the House bill.
This bill is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, American GI Forum, and Congressional Black Caucus Veteran’s Braintrust.
