Posthumous Award Upgrade
This is something I am glad to see.
The whole story is here: https://www.armytimes.com/2019/07/03/senators-want-this-african-american-soldier-to-posthumously-receive-the-medal-of-honor-for-actions-on-d-day/
From the article: Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr., an Army medic assigned to a segregated combat unit, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, was wounded by shrapnel in his groin and back as his landing craft crushed through the choppy waters off the coast of France on June 6, 1944.
“Corporal Woodson was a hero who saved dozens, if not hundreds, of lives on Omaha Beach. His courage deserves to be honored with the Medal of Honor, and I continue to work with the Army to make this a reality,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., in a statement.
Woodson died in 2005 and received the Bronze Star for his actions, but his widow has lobbied for an upgrade. The case has been backed by a memo unearthed in 2015 that appears to indicate Woodson was originally considered for the Medal of Honor, but ultimately did not receive it due to his skin color. – Article.
I have no issues with this, although it could have been done sooner. According to the article, there are several more like this. It’s about time it happened.
Category: Army, Blue Skies, Bravo Zulu
Shame it wasn’t done when he was still with us. Shame it wasn’t done in the 1940s.
I’ll have to look into this one some more, possibly for a VF post. Here’s hoping it can coincide with his wife receiving a bit of shiny medal on blue silk from President Trump.
Well Done, RIP
The populist in me hates he may have been denied for the color of his skin. The cynic in me wonders whether the upgrade is for the same reason.
“…The case has been backed by a memo unearthed in 2015 that appears to indicate Woodson was originally considered for the Medal of Honor, but ultimately did not receive it due to his skin color. ….”
No matter the pigment of our external skin, we all bleed red.
RIP CPL Woodson. The right thing should have been done in June of ’44.
I firmly believe that one of the best things to have happened to America after WWII was when President Harry S Truman desegregated the military.
The Black Troops of all services fought two wars, one in the Military and one back at home.
As for Cpl Woodson, I also think that it is high time we set the scale right for him and his Widow. It is irregardless of color and it says so in the commendation that he was precluded because of his race.
RIP and Godspeed to you Cpl Woodson.