Why does it take 50 years to award a Medal of Honor?

[Cryptoad]

[madaboutharry]

1. Sometimes longer.

More than that passed for some from WWII to be recognized. It seems like some stories take a long time for someone to tell.

[Adrahil]

2. The Pentagon got into the habit...

of awarding the MoH to mainly deceased folks. It was pretty rare to award to someone who survived. Obama's DoD made the decision to encourage its award to more living people, and included a review of existing recommendations that had not been acted on.

[atreides1]

3. Try 52 years for this man

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_A._Carter_Jr.

Edward Allen Carter Jr. (May 26, 1916 – January 30, 1963) was a United States Army staff sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during March 1945 during World War II. He was one of seven African-American soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor on January 13, 1997 by President Bill Clinton.

[hack89]

4. In his case he was initially awarded a lower award

In 2009 his commander in VN petitioned the Pentagon to upgrade the award because he thought it worthy of something higher. The Pentagon agreed.

[Fresh_Start]

5. Was the recipient a POC or female? nt

nt