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kwassa

(23,340 posts)
Fri Feb 21, 2014, 08:48 PM Feb 2014

Obama to award Medal of Honor to two dozen veterans, including 19 who were overlooked because of ...

Source: Washington Post

Obama to award Medal of Honor to two dozen veterans, including 19 who were overlooked because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds

President Obama will correct a historical act of discrimination next month when he awards the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest commendation for combat valor, to 19 Hispanic, Jewish and African-American veterans overlooked previously because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds.

The unusual presentation will culminate a 12-year Pentagon review ordered by Congress into past discrimination in the ranks, and will hold a particular poignancy hosted by the nation’s first African-American president. Although the review predates Obama’s tenure, he has made addressing discrimination in the military ranks — including ending the ban on gay and lesbian service members — a priority as commander in chief.

The recipients, which the White House will announce Friday afternoon, served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Collectively their award ceremony will mark the single largest batch of Medal of Honor recipients since World War II, when more than two dozen service members were honored in the conflict’s last days. Just three of the 24 who will be honored in all are still alive.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-to-ward-medal-of-honor-to-19-soldiers-who-were-overlooked-because-of-their-ethnicity/2014/02/21/209594e8-9b10-11e3-975d-107dfef7b668_story.html?wpisrc=al_comboPN_p



This is excellent news, but the title of this article is so long that the point of the title can't even appear in the limited space alloted for it.
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Obama to award Medal of Honor to two dozen veterans, including 19 who were overlooked because of ... (Original Post) kwassa Feb 2014 OP
It is great that this injustice has finally been addressed! Dustlawyer Feb 2014 #1
Just three of the 24 who will be honored in all are still alive...... lunasun Feb 2014 #2
That's what I figured. n/t malthaussen Feb 2014 #7
The full White House press release on the link below Tx4obama Feb 2014 #3
This is wonderful kwassa, sheshe2 Feb 2014 #4
Mahalo kwassa! Here's one photo.. Cha Feb 2014 #5
the list of names msedano Feb 2014 #6

Dustlawyer

(10,494 posts)
1. It is great that this injustice has finally been addressed!
Fri Feb 21, 2014, 08:52 PM
Feb 2014

I will not gripe about how long it took only because I don't want to take away from the Honor!

Cha

(296,775 posts)
5. Mahalo kwassa! Here's one photo..
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 12:14 AM
Feb 2014

Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris (Photo courtesy of the White House)

TOD

msedano

(731 posts)
6. the list of names
Sat Feb 22, 2014, 01:13 AM
Feb 2014

Still alive, Vietnam:
Specialist Four Santiago J. Erevia
Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris
Sergeant First Class Jose Rodela

WWII
Private Pedro Cano
Private Joe Gandara
Private First Class Salvador J. Lara
Sergeant William F. Leonard
Staff Sergeant Manuel V. Mendoza
Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel
First Lieutenant Donald K. Schwab

Korea
Corporal Joe R. Baldonado
Corporal Victor H. Espinoza
Sergeant Eduardo C. Gomez
Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron
Master Sergeant Mike C. Pena
Private Demensio Rivera
Private Miguel A. Vera
Sergeant Jack Weinstein

Vietnam
Sergeant Candelario Garcia
Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado
Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon
Specialist Four Ardie R. Copas
Specialist Four Jesus S. Duran



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